How to Learn Happiness; and False Parenting

Quick Version:

The Word of God = Happiness. Anything else in life is superfluous to finding happiness.

Parenting is sacred, meaning God has His hand in it and we should be ultimately humble and seeking the Spirit in this sacred responsibility. 

Full Version:

1. In Alma 44:5, Moroni lists a bunch of reasons why Zerahemnah should stop waging war against them. In only two places does he use the word "sacred". One, in reference to the word of God, and two, in reference to the support we owe our wives and children. 

He calls that sacred. Of all the important things he listed, fatherhood and husband(ness?) are called sacred. 

What does that mean? I think it means that it is special to God and something beyond our own power. I think a sacred thing is something that man can't fully understand or solely accomplish. I think it means that we have to let go of our pride and stop thinking we have the power to parent our kids or be a good spouse on our own, and that it is a duty that God watches over. 

You hear constantly the people are afraid of having kids, and they worry about printing them correctly. I think the evidence shows that this scripture is correct, that you can't really do it without the Spirit, and even when you have the Sapirit, they will still go their own way and God was the only one who could be constantly guiding them throughout their life while you aren't looking.

So then what is your job? Help them build a relationship with Heavenly Father. Teach them everything you know, of course, but make sure first of all that they see an example of living the Gospel and love. 

That's Parenting with a capital P. 

2. In that scripture, the sacred word or God is also described as something "to which we owe all our happiness." Well, that quite a statement to make. Not some of our happiness, all of it. 

Can all of our happiness really be attributed to the word of God? The word of God is simply truth. All truth is scripture. So the more we learn that is true, the happier we will be. 

Do we need money and health and recognition and success? Strangely enough, we don't. We see examples of everyone of these things in the world not bringing happiness. People who have one or all of these to the extreme, yet they are very unhappy. Others have none of these, and they are very happy. There's nothing wrong with these things, and they teach us valuable lessons, but none of them make us happy. 

So if you want happiness, what you have to do is learn the truth, learn the word of God, and you can literally learn happiness. Don't waste your time neglecting the scriptures and prayer and church doing other things you think you need to do (God will take care of you don't worry), make sure you give ample time to learning the word of God. 

Ended on: Alma 44:6

Destroying Sinners

Quick Version:
We hear a lot about God destroying sinners and cities of sinners, but usually they are destroying themselves, and He is actually trying to save everyone. He can't protect us for very long when we continue to reject His protection, but He loves us so much that he is constantly sending us warnings and invitations to come to him, and the amazing promise that He will "not suffer those who come unto [Him] that they shall perish!" He would rather destroy the sin than the sinner.

Full Version:
Lehi had a vision of Jerusalem, the city he lived in, being destroyed. What was his reaction? "His soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled." (1 Nephi 1:15)
This seems a little weird at first. The only time in movies when you see someone react to destroying cities with joy and laughter, it's some sort of crazy villain. So what makes this time different? Sure, they want to get rid of all the sinners, and that's a good thing, right? But it isn't always the case, because there are plenty of sinners on the earth right now, and God hasn't rained down fire on everyone in the last few centuries (that I know of). And any time someone in power has attempted to "get rid of all the sinners" it sure hasn't been inspired by God, and they go down in history as the most atrocious people to ever live. So WHAT IS DIFFERENT?
If you look more closely, you realize that God isn't talking about coming down and annihilating everyone. He's talking about saving everyone he can.
Jerusalem will be destroyed, and it will be because of sin, but it is because they are rejecting God's protection.
This isn't Heavenly Father saying, "I'm sick of these sinners, I want to destroy everyone." Every person is his child, and he loves every one. He wants every single person to be happy, not destroyed. He is simply revealing to Lehi that they are being so wicked they are rejecting God's protection, and He can't save them in their sin. They have enemies that will destroy them and their city, God doesn't need to do it, in fact He would rather not.
How do we know that for sure? Lehi says, "thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!"
Then what does Lehi do? He goes out and tells everyone what is going to happen, and they can choose to not perish! If they come to God, they will not perish.
God doesn't go around destroying sinners and telling prophets about it like it's a game. He's trying to save everyone he possibly can.
Is it the same today? Yes. People are being destroyed by their own wickedness, and God is using every righteous or even barely righteous person he can to save anyone who will listen.
We are always the ones who need saving, but we can also be the ones who help Him save.

Ended on: 1 Nephi 1:15

Spiritual Biceps

Quick version:
Working to feel the Spirit is like a spiritual workout. The more you do it, the stronger you get, the better you feel, and you're actually excited to face the challenges of life and beat them.

Full version:
After seeing a vision, Lehi "cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit." (1 Nephi 1:7) Apparently, feeling the Spirit really strongly is exhausting.
This is interesting, because the more you feel the Spirit, the more prepared you are to face the "mighty winds" and the "shafts in the whirlwind" so they won't "drag you down." (Helaman 5:12)
It's exercise! It's a spiritual work out! You feel the Spirit strongly and then you need to rest up a little immediately after. Does it leave you spiritually exhausted in life? No! Just like physical exercise, the more you do it, the stronger you get, and you feel better and better.
Not only do you feel better, but you are prepared to face difficult tests of your strength. Not only are you prepared for them, you become excited to face them. That sounds crazy, but to an extent (maybe to the extent that you are currently strong?) you actually want to face challenges. I'm sure you've seen strong people show off their strength, or if not show off, the more charitable use of strength is to help others who aren't as strong. Strong people love doing it, and love being able to get things done that require that fitness. (Alma 26:30,35 - the whole chapter really)
If you've ever attended EFY or just had a great spiritual high, you know what I'm talking about. Suddenly you're ready for someone to slap you so you can turn the other cheek and say, "It's OK, you're awesome!" and blow their minds!
One last thought: When people are fit, they look better. Does this apply to spiritual fitness? I love the answer in these 2 scriptures: Isaiah 3:9, Matthew 5:16. (Love this Talk by James E. Faust)

Ended on: 1 Nephi 1:7

Guide to this blog

It's not too complicated.

Quick Version - this gives you the summary of what I learned today. For lazy people.

Full Version - This is where you actually see my thought process and how I learned something new or made a new connection that I hadn't before. I also tend to ramble, but I'll try not to.

Ended on - this is where I stopped reading for the current post.