In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi declares that “And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27.)

Wouldn’t that be sweet, to live after the manner of Lehi Liahona Mormonhappiness? In his talk entitled “Living after the Manner of Happiness,” (Ensign, Dec 2002, 56–62,) Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy searches out 2 Nephi chapter 5 for tools which are evident in a happy life. Since you and I want to live happily, I want to share these with you:

Family: Nephi says, “I … did take my family … and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters.” (2 Nephi 5:6) Family relationships can be the first place where we experience joy and belonging and should remain a safe harbor from the storms of life. It is there, in the bonds of family, that we can feel safe, loved and enjoy uplifting and encouraging relationships.

Obedience: Nephi says, “And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things.” (2 Nephi 5:10) Why does obedience bring us happiness? Very much like a child who doesn’t touch the hot stove because he believes his mother when she tells him it will hurt if he does, being obedient keeps us from being spiritually burned. Rather than being subjected to the slow and torturous burn of sin, be obedient and you will not be burned.

Planting Gardens and Raising Animals: Nephi lists two things they did in his community that brought them additional happiness. He says that, “we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance.” (2 Nephi 5:11) He also records that, “We began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind.” (2 Nephi 5:11) Elder Jensen theorized that these two elements were key to a happy life because working in the garden and raising animals were therapeutic and good for a man’s soul. I would also suggest that these things are symbolic of our need for preparation for what storms may come in our life; by today’s standards these things might be equal to saving money for a rainy day and keeping a food storage.

Scriptures: In verse 12, Nephi mentions he “had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass.” (2 Nephi 5:12) These plates of brass were the record of Nephi’s family in Jerusalem. They also contained the scriptures of the Holy Prophets. Elder Jensen said “Anyone who reads scripture regularly develops a clearer perspective and purer thoughts and has more sincere and thoughtful prayers. Our lives are bound to be happier when we use the scriptures to answer our very personal questions and needs. … They can cleanse us from evil thoughts and fortify our resolve to resist temptation.”

Preparedness: The next element of a happy life is in verse 14 [2 Nephi 5:14] – preparedness. Nephi “did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the … Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us.” For Nephi, in his time, the threat came from possible skirmishes with the Lamanites, but likewise it will do us good if we also prepare for our battles of life if we hope to lead happy lives. “If we are prepared we not only do not fear, (D&;C 38:30) but we actually enjoy and derive considerable happiness from the events of our daily lives.” (Elder Jensen)

Work: “And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.” (2 Nephi 5:15) Nephi knew the value of honing one’s skills and then applying those skills in honest, hard work. Too often today, we think we should be able to get by with giving less than our best efforts or energy, but to be truly happy, we must exert ourselves, stretch ourselves. God commanded Adam that “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:19.)

Temples and Church Service: Nephi writes, “And I, Nephi, did build a temple” (2 Nephi 5:16) and that he “did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people.” (2 Nephi 5:26) Elder Jensen adds, “Of course, true Christian service can’t be provided exclusively through institutional means. Random acts of personal service motivated by our feelings of charity are necessary for our salvation. But the organized Church as established by the Lord Jesus Christ, in which we look after and serve others and are looked after and served by others, provides a wonderful source of happiness for all of us.”

These suggestions are not all inclusive. There are other ways, additional ways, in which we can find joy and happiness. However, these truths, taught by Nephi over twenty five hundred years ago, are still relevant today. I hope you’ll ponder the lessons learned by Nephi and see how they can be applied to your own life, so that you too, may live after the manner of happiness.

About Ali C

Copyright © 2024 LDS Blogs. All Rights Reserved.
This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. The views expressed by individual users are the responsibility of those users and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. For the official Church websites, please visit churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org.