Happiness Amid Hardship

There's a need in my social community to strive for more positive outlook in our trials.  I recognize this need.  I applaud it and acknowledge the good it can do in our healing.

The Book of Mormon contains great examples of happiness amid hardship.  2 Nephi 5:27 says, "We lived after the manner of happiness."  I love that verse.

Jack R. Christiansen in his book, Life Lessons from the Book of Mormon says that happiness (or joy) is a fruit of the spirit.  It cannot be forced, coerced or mandated.

He goes on to say that "some people try so desperately to find and keep happiness that they are miserable.  They seek happiness with drugs, alcohol, pornography, money, fame, or sexual impropriety.    In the end, however, they find only sorrow, heartbreak and emptiness.  Genuine, lasting happiness is a by-product of sincerely following the Father, and his son, and of making and keeping sacred covenants. Happiness cannot be forced any more than a plant can be forced to grow."

I read once that one of the most bewildering things about becoming happy is confusing it with pleasure. This is so true in the world that I am familiar with, and in the world of the wonderful women in my social network.  The confusion of pleasure equaling happiness to the men in our lives.

Pleasure is actually a temporary emotion and is not the same thing as sustainable happiness.   Like being happy with a new cell phone or a new outfit.  We receive pleasure from the experiences and additions of life, however, they do not bring the sustainable happiness for which we each yearn.

Camilla Fronk Olson said this at a BYU Women's Conference,

"To the paralytic man lying helpless on a bed, Jesus proclaimed, “Be of good cheer” (Matthew 9:2). To the frightened Apostles battling the tempestuous sea, Jesus appeared on the water, declaring, “Be of good cheer” (Matthew 14:27). As Joseph Smith met with 10 elders about to be sent out on missions fraught with trouble and danger, the Lord announced, “Be of good cheer” (D&C 61:36). In each instance the people had every reason to be anxious, fearful, and hopeless, yet the Lord directed them toward a reason to rejoice."

" Speaking to the Apostles in His final moments before Gethsemane, Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained: “The unimaginable agony of Gethsemane was about to descend upon Jesus; Judas’ betrayal was imminent. Then would come Jesus’ arrest and arraignment; the scattering of the Twelve like sheep; the awful scourging of the Savior; the unjust trial; the mob’s shrill cry for Barabbas instead of Jesus; and then the awful crucifixion on Calvary. What was there to be cheerful about? Just what Jesus said: He had overcome the world! The atonement was about to be a reality. The resurrection of all mankind was assured. Death was to be done away with—Satan had failed to stop the atonement.”

There is comfort in that last line, "Satan had failed to stop the atonement."  Knowing how important the atonement is to the suffering of mortality.  

Knowing we were sent here to be tried and tested.  We will not be able to avoid pain.  Thinking that obedience and goodness will prevent adversity is a faulty belief.  

D&C 24:8 "Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of they days."

We will not be alone in our trials --- ever.

It isn't a fair world to our mortal mindset.  We look on and believe that others are doing better than we.  We see even the disobedient acquiring more 'perceived' happiness that those of us who struggle so to be righteous.

"the Lord is not promising us just material wealth if we seek first the kingdom. From my own experience I know this is not the case. In the words of Henrik Ibsen: “Money may be the husk of many things, but not the kernel. It brings you food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; acquaintances, but not friends; servants, but not faithfulness; days of joy, but not peace or happiness” (In The Forbes Scrapbook of Thoughts on the Business of Life, New York: Forbes, Inc., 1968, p. 88).

I see a gem of truth in that quote.  We have a skewed view of what happiness is and how it is obtained.   It is easy to forget that we are being trained and groomed for a higher purpose through the trials of mortality.  We lack patience in this world of instant gratification.  It is difficult to get our mind wrapped around the fact that some trials may last a life time.  In that difficulty we lose the eternal perspective that who we are now and where we are now is not a permanent condition.  


I don't have a special or specific formula for happiness.  I do wonder if part of it is attitude, part of it is gratitude, maybe part of it is choice.  I believe striving for happiness blesses us, strengthens us and makes us more able to endure the assignment we have been given.  I don't always apply these beliefs.  Today I am grateful for the reminders.