How does the gospel make you happy in this life?

[mormonmusic]

This is a question I was pondering after hearing someone comment that "the gospel makes me so happy" in a testimony-bearing session.

I've always looked as the gospel as something I've been commanded to live when I sought the truth years ago -- not as a means to happiness in this life. From my perspective, the greatest happiness from living the gospel tends to be in the future after you have salvation -- with a fully healthy body, family relationships that are permanent, associations with other like-minded people who value truth and goodness. In this life, I find the gospel presents challenges to my happiness, with the sacrifices it requires and other challenges I've articulated on this board.

So, I thought it would be worthwhile to hear the comments of others about the gospel-happiness connection in this life.

How does the gospel make you happy in this life?

[Mirium]

I agree with you, the gospel for me brings many challenges and sacrifices and although as of yet, it doesn't bring me happiness it does bring me peace and strength to get through my challenges. I feel very blessed to have it in my life and it gives me a reason and a purpose to keep going. I hold out for a happier future when I have overcome my trials and weaknesses. I also believe that not until we are truly converted and experience that real change of heart will we find the true happiness that the gospel brings.

[pam]

I don't see the gospel as bringing me challenges and sacrifices. I see life as bringing me those challenges. Yet it's because of the gospel that I know I can repent and I know what lies ahead. That in itself brings me happiness and it's because of my knowledge of the gospel. Having lost my dad in the last year..I find happiness in knowing that we can be together again. I would not have that comforting feeling and a feeling of happiness were it not for the gospel.

[Zechariah]

For myself, it's the happiness that comes in the form of peace.

Bad things, sorrowful things, very painful and tragic things, can happen in life that can make it anything but a happy experience. Even so, the peace and joy of the gospel, because of the atonement of Christ, with the assurance and comfort that it brings, is the happiness of life for me.

Friends can desert us. Loved ones can die, or leave us alone and lonely. Long held plans or hopes or dreams for our future in life can elude us or be dashed. Suffering of one kind or another can plague us throughout our lives. Yet with the peace the gospel can bring, especially the more we learn to live its principles and rely on the Lord, the greater happiness we can attain in this life, despite all the sorrow we may find here.

To me, this is the happiness of the gospel and of life itself. Abiding joy, comfort, and peace, in the Love of the Lord.

[Kishkumen_Called]

Stephen Robinson, in his book "Believing Christ" brings up the idea that the Atonement is NOT confined to the afterlife, but its effects are immediate upon acceptance. However, I too struggle in focusing on the eternal rewards and neglect focusing on the immediate rewards. However, I'm a worry-wart, so I'm pre-disposed to focusing on the negative. Add it to the list, pal.

Cheers

[mormonmusic]

I can see the atonement bringing happiness by helping you realize that stupid past mistakes can be forgiven.

Yesterday my wife and I were ruminating on some of the intensely stupid things I did when I was a young adult. I cringe when I think of the things I said or did -- mostly interpersonal things lacking tact and courtesy. She mentioned there was no point in discussing them -- they weren't part of my character any longer, and that I was young at the time. Plus no one else is thinking of them any longer, but me....

The atonement covers all those things, which should bring me happiness in this life. Takes concentration though, to remind oneself....

[RanMan]

I find that I am attracted to the Gospel for what it offers me in this life. I am much less concerned about the reward that might be associated with the next life. The Gospel is so full of teachings, each which has an associated blessing. I have a sister who is not active in the Church and does not follow the teachings. Her life is one big mess after another. I can look to the Gospel as the difference between her life and mine.

I don't know if anyone but me will find this amusing, but so many times when I am watching a television show, a movie, or even just hearing the commercials for the stores, and I say to myself - "If you guys just followed the gospel you wouldn't be having these problems. Then again there wouldn't be much of a show to watch either.

I find that each time I am true to one of the Gospel principles, my current life improves in one way or another. Sometimes it is a matter of increased peace and comfort as has been mentioned already. Sometimes it is something more.

[Justice]

I'm with Zechariah. When we do our best to keep the commandments and follow the prophet we can feel an inward peace that the world just can't offer. We can go on vacation and have a great time with the family, go to a ball game and watch our team win, or play games and have a good time with friends, but those things end, and the happiness is only temporary. Next time the car will break down, or our team will lose, or the game will break. But, the Word of God remains constant, and if we strive to follow the prophet the joy and peace is permanent.

[Maxel]

I like the (relative) stability the Gospel brings to my life. I find that the Gospel- the Good News of Christ's Atonement- gives me hope when I exercise faith in Christ. I enjoy studying the scriptures and learning new concepts and increasing in wisdom and knowledge. I look forward with hope to the day when I will be ressurected, and I hope that I will be a joint-inheritor with Christ in the kingdom of the Father.

I have clinical depression, and before I was converted to the Gospel I attempted suicide. My life was bleak and felt hopeless. After gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon, however, I felt that the correct knowledge wa available to me- I felt that I could find the way to happiness, and as long as I stayed on that path, my inner pain would be dulled and swallowed up in the joy of Christ. So far, that initial feeling has been accurate. I know that, if it weren't for the Gospel message and the Holy Ghost bringing comfort to my being, I wouldn't be alive today.

[mrmarklin]

Originally Posted by mormonmusic

This is a question I was pondering after hearing someone comment that "the gospel makes me so happy" in a testimony-bearing session.

I've always looked as the gospel as something I've been commanded to live when I sought the truth years ago -- not as a means to happiness in this life. From my perspective, the greatest happiness from living the gospel tends to be in the future after you have salvation -- with a fully healthy body, family relationships that are permanent, associations with other like-minded people who value truth and goodness. In this life, I find the gospel presents challenges to my happiness, with the sacrifices it requires and other challenges I've articulated on this board.

So, I thought it would be worthwhile to hear the comments of others about the gospel-happiness connection in this life.

How does the gospel make you happy in this life?

While it's true the gospel can require sacrifices, nothing that is worthwhile is free. Your education required sacrifice, and most of your worldly goods required some effort to obtain. The gospel requires no more than that.

What are the benefits of the gospel in this life?
Better health through the word of wisdom.
Honorable living in your dealings with your fellowman is a great way to live. You never have to watch your back, and truth telling is good in business as well as in your normal life. People will always respect you.
Having the benefits of being around honorable people means only a better quality lifestyle. You already live in the best neighborhood of other Mormons.

It's a good way to live.