Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.
Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.
About Mormons: Finding Happiness
I was hoping I could share with you a couple of the couple of the things we’ve been going over in my New Testament class, and how they have helped me in my life.
Lately I’ve been having a rough time finding happiness and satisfaction in my life. I’ve been praying, not to have my trials and my work load lifted from me, but instead to be able to find joy and strength while working through things. A chapter in Galatians really stuck out to me.
In Galatians 5 verse 1 it says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” This really set the stage for the rest of the chapter and reading it helped me to see how I can bring more happiness into my life. I know through my own experiences that when we are “entangled in the yoke of bondage” we are NOT happy. “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). I know for a fact that this is true and is essential knowledge in the search for our happiness. However, I don’t feel that I have really been “entangled in the yoke of bondage”; I’ve been doing for the most part the things I know I should, and haven’t been involved in any major sins. So what can help me to feel more happiness in my life?
Verses 13 and 14 of that same chapter in Galatians read as follows, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Service has always been a big part of my life, but lately with the business of college classes, tests, work, and a social life, I can see how service has lost its place in my busy schedule. Looking back I’ve reflected on the many times I’ve felt the love of our Savior when I have found opportunities to serve those around me. It has brought joy into my life on every occasion.
Over the past week I’ve made it a point to notice and act on promptings I receive to serve. I have definitely noticed a difference in the number of times I’ve felt the spirit, and directly related to that has been my happiness level. Another verse in Galatians 5 shows us the signs by which we can know the spirit is working in our lives: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (Galatians 5:22). Over the last week I’ve definitely felt love for those around me, joy from the service I’ve provided, peace and assurance that I’m doing the Lord’s will, and longsuffering in my daily studies. I hope that you will join me in my efforts to bring an increased level of happiness into your own life and the lives of those around me by seeking out our Heavenly Father’s advice and counsel and acting on that council in whatever way possible. Make it a priority in your life, and He will show you how much he cares about you, loves you, and wants you to be happy.
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