I’ve seen many articles lately suggesting that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Mormon Church, needs to “get with the times.”

When people tell a church to cave to popular opinion, fads, or styles, they are really seeking to counsel God. They want God to change, and even to alter unalterable truths.

Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old. (Jacob 4:13)

As are so many other sins, this is a matter of pride, feeling we know better than God what is true and right. It is not the job of a Christian to be popular. It is his job to be right. When we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, we have an obligation to speak the truth when speaking of spiritual truths. These days, so many of God's truths are "unpopular" and those who try to hold to them are labeled bigots, out of touch, old-fashioned...any name that might intimidate people into giving in to prove they're part of the popular crowd.

Boyd K. Packer, a modern apostle of God, said, in response to those who feel the church must keep up with current fads of morality: “We do not set the standards, but we are commanded to teach them and maintain them. The standard remains abstinence before marriage and total fidelity in marriage. However out of step we may seem, however much the standards are belittled, however much others yield, we will not yield, we cannot yield.” (Boyd K. Packer, “‘The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected’,” Ensign, Nov 2003, 24)

Paul spoke of this concern in the Bible:

6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: (Ephesians 6)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no desire to be men pleasers. Their entire focus is to do the will of God, regardless of how it affects their “popularity.” Popularity isn’t the goal of the Church. While it might win them more friends, there is no purpose to the church if it isn’t teaching God’s word, and God’s word only. A church that promises a prophet who learns the truth from God must never abuse that privilege by trying to reinvent truth or alter it to suit selfish purposes. A Church that promises to be the true church must teach truth.

So, we will probably always be behind the times, unless the times catch up to God.

Recently I read a story in the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, that tells of Nephi and how he and his people “lived after the manner of happiness” (2 Ne 5:27.)

I want to live after the manner of happiness, don’t you? In fact, I’d hazard a guess that happiness is the life-long goal of every person who lives. Except, I think we too often believe, mistakenly, that happiness is to be found in success, riches, possessions, admiration, or the like. But that just isn’t so.

Happiness is to be found in our families, in our relationship with God, in our ability to look at ourselves in the mirror at the end of the day and like what we see. Oh, perhaps you won’t like the extra weight you are carrying, or the pimples that are popping up on your face so late in life, or the wrinkles that belie your age, but you can like the light that shines from your eyes—and that light can shine brighter if we have walked in the footsteps of the Lord.

When describing the lifestyle he and his people lived, Nephi said that “And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things” (2 Ne. 5:10.)

I can testify from personal experience, that living righteously and keeping God’s commandments makes us happy. Alma, another Book of Mormon prophet, summed it up when he said, “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10.) How many times have you done something you knew shouldn’t do? And how often did you later wish you hadn’t done that thing? If you’re anything like me the answer would be, too often.

In an address given to Brigham Young University students, Marlin K. Jensen, said:

“From the depths of my soul I testify that Satan wants us to believe we are an exception to God’s rules, that somehow our transgressions are more noble and justifiable than anyone’s have ever been. But that is a lie. And not only do we offend God by breaking His laws; we also offend ourselves and others, and thereby experience heartache, suffering, and misery—the exact opposites of happiness” (“How to Be Happy,” New Era, Aug 1999, 4.)

There was a time in my life when I truly did believe that I was an exception God’s rules. I was a victim of other peoples’ bad choices—how could I be expected to do what was right when so many in my life had done me wrong? I felt justified in being bad because being good didn’t seem to get me anywhere.

I would have to write a whole book to explain how I came to see the error in my thinking, but suffice it to say, I had that precious ‘aha’ moment wherein I finally came to see that in choosing to continue my bad behavior, I only continued to hurt myself. It was only when I started to do what I knew was right, to follow God’s commandments, that I began to feel my burden lifted, and I began to feel hope.

Now, after seventeen years of practicing righteous behavior, I can honestly say that “wickedness never was happiness.” Don’t get me wrong, I am certainly not perfect. Not even close. But I am somewhat further down the road of obedience than I once was and I am happier for it.

If you feel burdened by wrong choices, either your own or those of others, I encourage you to turn your face to God. Seek to do what He commands as outlined in the scriptures, and I promise He will lift your burdens and reward you with happiness to cheer your days.

Have you ever been faced with a personal problem in which you felt you knew exactly how the problem should be solved, but also knew it was beyond your ability to solve it? Have you ever been tempted to go to the Lord and say, “Okay, God, here’s the problem and here’s what you need to do about it?”

Or, have you ever asked God to help you with a problem, disliked the results, and went back to God to complain about it? The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob warned his people of these methods of dealing with God.

Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works. (Jacob 4:10)

This command really comes down to faith and trust. When we have a true testimony that God knows what is best for us, and loves us enough to provide us with the best, we are freed from a desire to tell Him what to do. Instead, we’d much rather let Him do the choosing, since He knows far more than we do.

It can be difficult to put aside what we want to accept that the Lord might have a better plan. We, as humans, dislike giving up control over our lives, even to God. For this reason, it’s important to work hard on our trust.

Keeping a blessings journal is one way to do this. Each day, try to note something God did for you. As you become accustomed to seeing His hand in your life, it will become easier to trust Him.

Learn to say, “Thy will be done” in your prayers. There is nothing wrong with telling God how you’d like things to be. We’re counseled to study our problems out in our minds, come to a decision, and then ask God if it’s correct. We’re supposed to do our part. However, now the hard part begins. Once we’ve asked God to confirm our choice, we have to accept His answer. If He says you’re on the wrong track, accept that and try again.

God tells us we don’t have to be afraid. We can choose to be afraid, but if we’re doing what God has asked us to do, we need never be afraid of the results. Even though the purpose of His choices may not be clear, He can see much further into the future than we can.

There is a story in the Book of Mormon I love about a man named Abinidi. Abinidi was a prophet sent to preach to a group of people who didn’t want to hear the message. Their priests and their king were corrupted. Even though they intended to kill Abinidi, God promised he couldn’t be killed until he’d delivered his message, and so these wicked people were forced—out of fear—to listen.

Out of all the listeners, one man felt the spirit and was converted. His name was Alma, and he was a priest of the wicked king. However, when he heard Abinidi’s message, he knew it was true and asked the king to spare Abinidi.

When I tell this story to children, they expect Alma to be a hero and save Abinidi. It doesn’t happen that way, though. The king orders Alma killed also, and Alma flees, which upset the children I am teaching terribly. What the children eventually understand, though, is that even though Abinidi is then killed, God’s promise was kept. The reason Abinidi was sent there and the reason he couldn’t be killed until they’d heard the message was because God needed Alma’s conversion. His mission—that day and for his life—was completed upon the conversion of Alma. Alma will go on to become a prophet and a great leader. His descendants, because they grew up with the gospel, will be among those who see the Savior one day. God saw what my little students could not—He saw the long range picture, generations away, and made His choices accordingly.

When we agree to follow God’s counsel, however uncomfortable it might seem to be, we ensure His plans are carried out, giving us and others who are affected by our choice, the best possible outcome in life.