Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (pronounced GUR-tuh) was the most celebrated European writer by the early 1800s.  He was much admired not only for his writings, but also for his thinking and accomplishments in science, philosophy and other fields.  Two years before his death, when he was 80 years old, he made a statement that the times in his life when he was so happy that he wanted the moment to stay had lasted only a few seconds.

I have spent the night thinking about that statement.  This was a man who had everything, to all appearances.  Apparently he had everything but happiness.  I believe he was saying that he had never experienced joy.

Happiness and joy have been my lot for almost 45 years.  Since my baptism 4 March 1967 my happiness has been nearly uninterrupted.  I’ve had periods of financial worries, discouragement, and setbacks; but as I reflect back over those years, my memory of them is of happiness and satisfaction, interspersed with bursts of pure joy.

As I reflect further, I discover that Goethe’s life and feelings have been the norm throughout history, and my life is the anomaly.  The majority of people through all of earth’s history have been poor, unenlightened, without God, and without freedom.  They’ve lived under repressive governments (in captivity, Nephi said 11 times in chapters 13 and 14 of 1 Nephi), and had virtually none of the comforts that I take for granted.  Most of the world’s people have not been happy.

I’ve often asked, “Why me?”

The answer is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Consider these scriptures (no order):

Children:  “Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.”  (Psalms 127:5)

“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”  (John 13:17)

“…be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

“If there be no righteousness there be no happiness.”  (2 Ne. 2:13)

“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”  (2 Ne. 2:25)

“Ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.”  (Mosiah 2:41)

“…the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness.”  (Alma 40:12)

“Do not suppose…that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness…wickedness never was happiness.”  (Alma 41:10)

“…the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our happiness.”  (Alma 44:5)

“…he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still.”  (Morm. 9:14)

“…my heart is brim with joy…”  (Alma 26:11)

My heart, like Ammon’s, is brim with joy.  I think he said it best.

Were my forebears happy?  Judging from my parents’ state I’d give a qualified yes, but would probably say content and resigned would be better words.  I think most of my ancestors would have agreed with Jacob’s assessment of life:  “…our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people…wherefore, we did mourn out our days.”  (Jacob 7:26).

I have everything that’s calculated to bring me joy.  Very few people in the history of the world have had these things.  I have joy.  I have the Priesthood.  I have abundant scripture.  I have the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I have my covenants.  I have a hold on eternal life because of the Atonement of my Savior, and because I’m trying to follow His commandments.

It’s because of Him and because of His Restoration of the gospel that I even have electricity, running water, and bananas on my cereal in the morning.  These things bring happiness and comforts that none of my ancestors or their kings had access to.

I’m supremely happy, unlike Goethe.  I’ve been happy for 45 years.  I wouldn’t want to go back and relive any part of those years, however, because I’m looking forward to the future which I expect to be filled with joy, not just with happiness.

—3 February 2012