Ahab Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 (edited) 27 minutes ago, MustardSeed said: I do believe that being involved in the church and having the gospel makes MY life much better than if I decided not to have it. I would have more fun without it, but with it there is much less drama and more friends and more awareness of my value and purpose. So that's good. Happiness? I think that's debatable as to whether my happiness is due to church or due to my attitude. I just watched a series about the Rajneesh movement, which was a big thing in Oregon before I moved up here, and those people thought they were happy. And from what I could tell they thought they were happy because they were able to do whatever it was that they wanted to do. It was fascinating to watch the series and I think they did a fairly good job of portraying what it was really like for them. I would say it was influenced by evil thoughts and desires, though, and by definition wickedness can never truly be happiness even when people really like to do things that are evil. Edited October 11, 2019 by Ahab
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted October 12, 2019 Posted October 12, 2019 On 10/9/2019 at 12:54 PM, MustardSeed said: Are members of this church the happiest people in the world? We can be, “the happiest people in the world”, just read 4 Nephi 2-3, 15-16 2-3 “...the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly with one another. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond or free, and partakers of the heavenly gift”. 15-16 “And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there was no envying, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God”. In 4 Nephi 17-18 it gives, or lists more sins, and reasons why and how to be that “happier people”, the entire chapter worth a good read. In addition we are taught that when Jesus Christ comes again, in 1 Nephi 22:25-26, that when he comes, and they know the true “Shepherd”, that “...because of the righteousness of the people, Satan has no power; wherefore he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy one of Israel reigneth”. So in in my opinion, if the “collective righteousness”, which includes, the conditions, and the absence of the sins listed in 4 Nephi, can bring such, “joy and happiness”, I would submit that “personal righteousness now”, can bind Satan now. If so, “why wait”, this is the key to “Joy”, first, happiness secondary. Forgive the length of this reply, and the Sunday School lesson. But, a wonderful question, and a wonderful thread, so thank you “MustardSeed”. 1
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted October 12, 2019 Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) On 10/9/2019 at 12:57 PM, HappyJackWagon said: I don't think so. I've known plenty of miserable LDS people and I've know plenty of wonderfully happy non-Mormons. It would be quite the arrogant claim if members claimed to be the happiest in the world. I do not think it is an arrogant statement, it was just a question. Nor did that one line question suggest neither arrogance, nor the exclusion of any other groups, anywhere else. If I were to ask, “Is Bill Lee’s Family, the happiest in the world”? How would the question I ask, suggest that I am arrogant, and that no other family is happy? 🙂 Edited October 12, 2019 by Bill “Papa” Lee
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