Is The Gospel Really Needed For Happiness?

[Anonymous]

Ilovechrist77 wrote:

Well, thanks, everyone, for the comments. I’ve definitely learned a lot from this group. As someone mentioned the comment that finding meaning out of life definitely helps make others happy. For me, being in the church has done that. So has spending time with family, friends, studies topics that interest, and creative writing. If God lives, only He can judge what in a person’s heart.

I really like what you said here. God will judge what is in a person’s heart. I do think that some people will just not find the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints something that brings them deeper meaning. That is hard for a staunch mormon to think that is possible…but I believe it is. And so for those that find another source of peace and inspiration, they will find their happiness by applying what speaks to their hearts. And those in the church that embrace gospel messages will find happiness too. People are just different, and God’s plan is grand enough to judge according to proper principles, which I think is about becoming who we are to become, growing and progressing as a person…not just as a mormon.

So…I guess I wanted to ask a followup question I’ve thought about also…why does following the gospel sometimes lead to unhappiness? Pressure to conform, pressure to obey, exhaustion from constant devotion and “more and more and more lengthen your stride” all the time….some people really feel a inner conflict an unhappiness while trying to make it work for them. Is the problem the person and how they are applying the gospel, or could the gospel cause unhappiness for some people?

[Anonymous]

Heber13 wrote:

So…I guess I wanted to ask a followup question I’ve thought about also…why does following the gospel sometimes lead to unhappiness? Pressure to conform, pressure to obey, exhaustion from constant devotion and “more and more and more lengthen your stride” all the time….some people really feel a inner conflict an unhappiness while trying to make it work for them. Is the problem the person and how they are applying the gospel, or could the gospel cause unhappiness for some people?

Very good question that I have been asking myself. I have passed the typical knee-jerk reaction to leave the church. But I am asking why I am seriously contemplating distancing myself from it even when I can see some of the real good it has.

[Anonymous]

We have some nice Jehovah’s Witnesses that come over sometimes to discuss the bible with us. I am imagining this question posed and discussed among their group; Must a person be JW in order to become truly happy? Most of us here, I imagine, would not think that becoming JW would bring anything to our happiness plate. And yet, many that are Witnesses find great meaning, purpose, and happiness from their religious affiliation.

Heber13 wrote:

Is the problem the person and how they are applying the gospel, or could the gospel cause unhappiness for some people?

I think of it as a fit. If I am wearing an article of clothing that is too small then it will be uncomfortable. If it fits just right then it can be wonderful. Sometimes people change and what used to fit no longer hugs our contours in the right way. Sometimes the organization changes (or our perception of it changes).

Perhaps some of the work we do at StayLDS is to find room/permission to let out our clothing that might have become constrictive so that we might breath again.

I am a pack rat by nature and am inclined to hold on to stuff in case it comes in handy later on. Who knows? I might loose a few pounds! 😆 My wife on the other hand goes through my closet and makes determinations about what to keep and what to discard/donate. Sometimes there comes a time to clean out a closet. Maybe I am stretching this metaphor too far… :think:

[Anonymous]

Roy – are you saying, “If the glove fits, you must commit?” (or was that “convict”? I can’t remember).

I apologize for my odd humor if some don’t find it funny. It is the only way I keep any semblance of sanity.

[Anonymous]

Heber13 wrote:

So…I guess I wanted to ask a followup question I’ve thought about also…why does following the gospel sometimes lead to unhappiness? Pressure to conform, pressure to obey, exhaustion from constant devotion and “more and more and more lengthen your stride” all the time….some people really feel a inner conflict an unhappiness while trying to make it work for them. Is the problem the person and how they are applying the gospel, or could the gospel cause unhappiness for some people?

I beat myself against this rock for a few decades. If I get locked in the mindset that the gospel unequivocally leads towards happiness then I’ll end up believing that if I’m not happy then I must be deficient in some way. Which by the way leads to more unhappiness and the downward spiral begins. I can’t frame it as either or, so why not both?

When answering the question (and I’m a broken record) I have to ask, what is the gospel? That whole plan of salvation thing, the golden rule, love, or something else? Be prepared for me to follow up with, what is love? Don’t hurt me.

I think everyone needs to feel like they have a sense of belonging. If I feel like I belong I’m usually happy. It doesn’t matter whether we’re coming together over Jesus or whether we’re coming together over the best movie starring an orangutan and Clint Eastwood. Usually when we find a sense of belonging the deeper the topic, like thoughts on life and death, the deeper and longer lasting the happiness. Friends talking about The Good, the Bad and the Ugly all day isn’t the same as friends talking about the meaning of life. The church is just a place where everyone that mostly agrees with each other can get together for that sense of belonging. The gospel is just a narrative that serves as a launching point in finding some common ground.

These days I enjoy talking about life in terms of unknown quantities. The gospel, at least how it’s sometimes defined, wants an answer for everything. The church likes for me to have the same answer in order to belong.

There’s always a little pressure to conform because no two people are exactly alike. To what degree we sacrifice ourselves in order to conform can determine how happy we are.

I think another aspect is that most people change over time as they adapt to the world around them. The church doesn’t change (well it does, but you know what I mean) so there’s yet another place where there’s friction. Do we sacrifice to conform to the unchanging standard or do we sacrifice one belonging in search of another?

I don’t think people were meant to be alone, and people can be alone in a crowd.

[Anonymous]

For some reason I misread that and thought it said “Is the gospel really needed for hamsters?” Which of course reminded me of this post:

http://bycommonconsent.com/2015/08/01/personal-progress-for-hamsters/

We are beloved spirit hamsters of God.

[Anonymous]

Hahah. Thanks, hawkgirl, for that cute reference. I appreciate that. Roy, I love that analogy. It’s funny how at one time a black-and-white simple faith more based on my works was what made me happy. Oh I did have a great relationship with the Savior then, but it was just more of a works based on. Eventually, that didn’t fit, so I discarded it. Now, I have a much more complex, nuanced faith based on Christ’s grace. In fact, it’s this more complex faith in the Savior that has helped me so much more in my sex addiction recovery than my earlier faith did.

[Anonymous]

I believe living the simple truths Jesus taught in the beatitudes will bring people happiness in life.

Orthodox and pharisaical adherence to Mormonism is not required for happiness.

I find great joy and happiness in my nuanced faith, in faithfully magnifying my calling, in prayer and fasting and in infrequent temple attendance. I realize those things aren’t for everyone. But they work for me.

[Anonymous]

Quote:

I believe living the simple truths Jesus taught in the beatitudes will bring people happiness in life.

Orthodox and pharisaical adherence to Mormonism is not required for happiness.

I find great joy and happiness in my nuanced faith, in faithfully magnifying my calling, in prayer and fasting and in infrequent temple attendance. I realize those things aren’t for everyone. But they work for me.

Thanks! I love that! :thumbup:

[Anonymous]

azguy wrote:

I believe living the simple truths Jesus taught in the beatitudes will bring people happiness in life.

Orthodox and pharisaical adherence to Mormonism is not required for happiness.

I find great joy and happiness in my nuanced faith, in faithfully magnifying my calling, in prayer and fasting and in infrequent temple attendance. I realize those things aren’t for everyone. But they work for me.

That is inspiring! :thumbup:

[Author]

Posts