"...Men are, that they might have joy."
~ Lehi; 2 Nephi 2:25
“Happiness is the object and design of our existence...”
~ Joseph Smith Jr.
Eternal Joy, eternal happiness, comes from agency, from freedom. The freedom to progress! Our freedom is limited when we sin, our choices are diminished, our opportunities are lost. Hence, from sin comes less freedom, less progression, less happiness.
The counsel laid out in the scriptures is to provide the greatest amount of agency, to ensure the greatest depth of freedom, by which we achieve the greatest amount of eternal progression, and a heretofore indescribable magnitude of eternal felicity.
“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.”
~ Joseph Smith Jr.
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Amen! :) I also love what the Prophet Joseph said-"Teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves"
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big rules person. Tons of laws, traditions, ect really limit a person. I am becoming more liberated as I stay focus on my Savior and am being "untaught" certain things and when I do sin, to not continue in it and turn around back to God. To hunger and thirst after righteousness and gain more light and knowledge. So freeing! I'm full of light in more way then one and happy and joyful.
The song "Thrive" by Casting Crowns describes this beautifully:
Joy Unspeakable
Faith Unsinkable
Love Unstoppable
Anything is Possible
Repeated 4 times near the end of their song.