Sunday, July 8, 2018

Jared Talks About Happiness


Jared gave a talk today in church. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that's what we call sermons given by regular members of the congregation.  Today, Jared gave a sermon and I loved it and wanted to share it.

TALK ON HAPPINESS
7/8/2018
JARED JOHNSON

Good morning brothers and sisters.  Today I have been asked to talk on happiness – as in the plan of happiness, but with a focus on happiness in this life.  I remember one time before the Copper Crest ward was formed and I was in the Fairway Groves ward the bishop asked me to give a talk in church.  Then he realized that it was some special Sunday and he called me back and said we would have to reschedule.  That never happened and I remember how happy that made me!  So, I am talking today about happiness while being a little bummed out at the same time that this assignment didn’t also get postponed!  Oh well, I’ll see what I can do.

Just to start, the plan of happiness is also known as the plan of salvation.  The Book of Mormon prophet, Alma uses both expressions interchangeably in Alma chapter 42.  This being the case, I do not want to discuss the “Plan of Happiness”.  Rather, I would like to focus on happiness in this life.  We can circle back to the ‘plan’ later if there is time.

OK, so what does happiness in this life look like?  There are a couple of scriptures that I like regarding happiness:

2 Nephi 5:26-28
26 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people.
27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.
28 And thirty years had passed away from the time we left Jerusalem.

The context of this scripture is Nephi and some of his brothers (and their families) have parted company from Laman and Lemual and their families, because Nephi was told that they were no longer safe to stay.  They left, established some order, and then ‘lived after the manner of happiness’.  Sounds simple, right?  It seems to me that living after the manner of happiness is connected to their faith, but also by the fact that they were a group recently united by a specific common goal – not to get killed by others.

Jesus has given us the following admonition: 
John 13:34
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

I have found, like Nephi and his family, that it is always easier to love those with whom you are united in some way – like family, church, something you might go to a convention for, or maybe because you have the same pair of shoes.  We seem to be more willing to overlook our differences and things that might normally bother us when we can find some common ground, or just when we are able to get to know someone better.  

What has this got to do with happiness?  I submit that when we follow the Savior and make an honest effort each day to love one another, we will be happier.  This aspect of our happiness is completely within our own control.  I am not claiming that this is always easy, but it does get easier with practice.  Also, each new day gives us a chance to try again, and hopefully do better.

Another scripture I like about happiness is:
4 Nephi 1:15-17

15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
16 And there were no envyings, 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.
17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

I really like this idea of “nor any manner of –ites”.  They were united – the children of Christ.  We live in a world that doesn’t always feel so united.  We seem to have all manner of –ites.  It is not possible to stop dividing ourselves off into specific groups.  

We are Christians, but we are also Mormons.  Some of us are male, some of us are female.  Some of us are married, some are single.  Some of us are gay, and most of us are straight.  Most of us like the Beatles (I hope), some of us do not.  I could go on, of course.  In this context we will never get away with “nor any manner of –ites”, but that’s ok.  

What we can do, and should strive to do per the Savior is to use whatever means we have to avoid otherizing our spiritual brothers and sisters.  To otherize is to make or regard (a person, social group, etc.) as alien or different.  After all, we are all children of our Heavenly Mother and Father – a big something that we have in common.  

With very few exceptions, it is not our place to judge, but it is our place – even our responsibility to love.  I testify to you brothers and sisters that as we strive to love one another, to get to know each other’s story, as we resist the temptation to judge and prematurely draw conclusions, we will be happier.  We will be living after the manner of happiness.

As for the Great Plan of Happiness, this focuses on the family.  Getting married, having children and grandchildren, etc.  I am blessed to have been married for over 31 years now.  I have 4 children and 2 grandchildren.  I can tell you that my family is a source of great joy and happiness for me.  I can also tell you that I know many people who are not able to have a similar “ideal” family configuration.  These are people who should not be otherized.  These are people who should not be made to feel like they cannot participate in the Great Plan of Happiness.  Our Heavenly Parents do not want any of Their children to be miserable.  

President Boyd K. Packer in his last conference address said:
"When we speak of marriage and family life, there inevitably comes to mind, “What about the exceptions?” Some are born with limitations and cannot beget children. Some innocents have their marriage wrecked because of the infidelity of their spouse. Others do not marry and live in single worthiness.
 For now I offer this comfort: God is our Father! All the love and generosity manifest in the ideal earthly father is magnified in Him who is our Father and our God beyond the capacity of the mortal mind to comprehend. His judgments are just; His mercy without limit; His power to compensate beyond any earthly comparison. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19)."

There are, of course, many more ‘exceptions’ than those listed by President Packer. But to me what he is saying means that we all get to participate in the Great Plan of Happiness, even if it ends up looking a little different than the ideal.  We must be careful to make sure that no one is ever made to feel like they cannot participate in this great plan.  We must not constrain the Great Plan of Happiness by our limited ability to understand it. 

It is clear to me that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to be happy in this life.  It is also clear to me that Heavenly Father’s love, patience and mercy are without limit.  

Again, the Savior has commanded us to love each other the way that He loves us.  He wants us to do that now – not wait for the eternities.  Get to know the people in your life – especially those that may be outside of your comfort zone.  Listen to their stories, make connections, and find common ground.  Expand your imagination and increase your empathy.  In this way, you will begin to see people the way the Savior does.

I know that God lives and that he loves us.  He wants us to be happy and has given us many ideas on how to make that happen, but it all begins with loving one another – including ourselves.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


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