Joseph Smith, founder and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons,) said that, “happiness is the object and design of our existence.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 255.)
But if God truly loves us and wants us to be happy, why does so much unhappiness and misery happen every day throughout the world?
That question is perhaps the singlemost challenging hurdle in the path of an individuals’ journey of faith. Many good people have fallen trying to cross it, never to get up again, but to give up the journey. Some turn to atheism, choosing to believe there is no God, rather than to accept that He would allow harm to come to one of His children. Others, harden their hearts against God, and give in to hate and anger.
Some of our suffering is our own doing. Incorrect choices, sin have the consequence of unhappiness, and sometimes pain. But much suffering is simply a natural extension of our mortal condition—like an accident, it is not caused by anyone, it only happens because we live in an imperfect world.
There was a time when our Father Adam and Mother Eve had been offered a perfect world where there would never be any suffering. No pain, no misery, no accidents.
However, Lehi, a Book of Mormon prophet explained that if Adam and Eve had not gone through the process we call the Fall, they would have remained forever in their initial state of innocence, “having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin” (2 Ne. 2:23.)
That might sound pretty good, but if they had remained in that state of innocence, we would not have come to exist. Even if we had, we would not know the good from the bad, we would have no way of knowing that we were happy—we would simply be.
Dallin H. Oaks, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught:
“Our first parents recognized this principle. When the Holy Ghost fell upon them and bore record of the Father and the Son, Adam blessed the name of the Lord, declaring that “because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy” (Moses 5:10.) With inspired insight, Eve explained the purpose of life and the source of joy:
“Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient” (Moses 5:11)
(“Joy and Mercy,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 73.)
As Eve might have said herself, it is better for us to taste the bitter that we might enjoy the sweet. I know that what I’m suggesting is difficult to accept, particularly if the pain of loss is fresh in your heart and mind. However, I do know that Adam and Eve chose the better part and because of them, you and I have the privilege of experiencing joy—and misery.
I testify that it is necessary for us to experience loss, heartache, misery, so that we are better equipped to recognize the good when it comes and truly appreciate it. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy in this life. Modern revelation tells us that “all things which come of the earth … are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart” (D&C 59:18.) The gospel plan provides a way for us to overcome the sadness in this world, and that plan is “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8.)
