Picture this: You’re driving down the road and you see a large station wagon on the road in front of you. Through the windows of the car you can clearly see the turmoil going on inside. The wagon is loaded with people. Bare feet dangle outside the rear window while elbows and arms hang loosely out the side windows. The luggage rack is packed full and the body of the car sports many dings and scratches. Up front, the mom tries to wrestle an unruly toddler while simultaneously trying to pacify a crying baby. Dad, meanwhile, is just trying to keep his place on the road. Can you see it clearly in your mind? One more thing … The back bumper sports a sticker that reads: “Are we having fun yet?”
What’s the first thought that pops into your mind? Do you think this family could not possibly be happy? Or is this the picture of happiness to you? Isn’t that question the epitome of our daily life? We set out to have fun, we make all the plans necessary to maximize our happiness potential. But inevitably most days something happens that gets in the way of our happiness. We feel let down, resentful, and like happiness isn’t a possibility for us.
When you feel that way, like happiness is always just out of your reach, you need to take a moment to recognize that the gift of happiness is all around you, it is within you, and always within reach.
The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, tells us “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Ne. 2:24-25.) Our Father in Heaven loves us and He wants nothing more than for us to be happy. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it” (History of the Church, 5:134.)
In his article entitled “Happiness,” Jack H. Goaslind of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, said,
“Our yearnings for happiness were implanted in our hearts by Deity. They represent a kind of homesickness, for we have a residual memory of our premortal existence” (Ensign, May 1986, 52.)
The Book of Mormon speaks of dwelling “with God in a state of never-ending happiness” (Mosiah 2:41.) It also says that “all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame, … raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the Kingdom of the devil.” We also learn that we are “raised to happiness according to [our] desires of happiness” (Alma 41:4-5.)
The scriptures use such words as reap, restored and desire with purpose and meaning. Happiness is a consequence of our choices, not a reward. We are restored to a state of happiness only after we have consistently made good choices. Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet said, “Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10.) Can you imagine finally being in the presence of God and Jesus again, weighed down by bad choices? Your misery would be unbearable. I want you to be able to feel the full measure of joy that can be yours if you make right choices and can stand, happy, before your Lord and Savior one day. I want that for myself too!
Two things stand primarily in our way of being able to experience that full measure of joy one day: sin and adversity.
The worst thing about the suffering caused by sin, though, is that it is by choice that we suffer so. If ever you are in doubt as to which course of action is best for you, which choice is right and which wrong, listen to your conscience because that is the voice of the Spirit whispering to you and guiding you in the direction you should go.
Unfortunately, adversity is a part of everyone’s journey in this life. We can avoid sin, but no amount of good choices is going to free us from adversity. Jesus Christ said, “For whosoever will save his life shall loose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24.) Look outside of yourself and your troubles, and you will find your own burdens become a little easier to bear.
Finally, follow the commandments.
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love. …
“These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:10-11.)
Avoid sin, choose the right. Serve others when life gets you down. Follow the commandments. Three simple steps, all within your power, and when someone asks you “Are you having fun yet?” you’ll be able to answer with a resounding YES!
