Happiness Now and Forever

"Salvation is an eternal goal we gain by a process of constant upward change. Doubt is spiritual poison that stunts eternal growth. We must first feel our way before we can see it with any clarity. We prove ourselves by making numerous correct decisions without being absolutely sure; then comes a greater knowledge and assurance, not before. Happiness is created. Love is its center. Its principal ingredients are sincere faith, true repentance, full obedience, and selfless service."

--Richard G. Scott, " Happiness Now and Forever", Ensign, Nov. 1979, 70

The True Nature of God

One of the things we discussed at Sunday school this last week is how we need to know the true nature of Heavenly Father. How can one pray to someone you don't even know? Getting to know Him and his ways can help us draw closer to Him. I was reading in the scriptures where it said,

And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness (Alma 41:11)

The part that stuck out to me was the nature of God. What is the nature of God? How do we get to know the true nature of God? We sometimes have a saying of "It isn't in his/her nature to do that", so when we are talking about the nature of God we are talking about the ways of his thinking, his actions, his reactions, and how he deals with life. One big things back in high school was wearing the WWJD wrist bands. Growing up in the bible belt of the USA there were a lot of kids at school wearing them. It's a good reminder, bc it makes you think of our Heavenly Father's nature and what he would do.

What boggles my mind is that Jesus was the one perfect being that has lived here on earth. Our human nature (or in other words, our natural man) is to not always do the right things. We can let pride take over us, let ourselves be offended, let the anger inside us boil over, decide to ignore the promptings of the Holy Ghost, choose the easier route instead of the right route.

So, I ask you again...why do we try to get to know the true nature of God? Bc it can help us overcome our natural man tendencies and strive to live righteously. And living righteously can bring the calming peace and happiness we all long for and seek everyday.

Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgement restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again. (Alma 41:14)