PLAN POTENTIAL: IDEAL POSSIBLE

Happiness is a desired ideal.

An ideal is “a standard to strive toward or something considered worthy of imitation … a concept or standard of perfection, existing merely as an image in the mind, or based upon a person or upon conduct …” (Dictionary.com).

Despite media rhetoric implying otherwise,
marriage, "the union of a man and a woman"
(The Family, A Proclamation to the World),
is still a desired ideal as youth become mature adults. 

Annual surveys [i] continue to report that high schoolers plan to marry one day and that having a good marriage is “extremely important” to them. (The State of Our Unions Marriage in America 2012; President’s Marriage Agenda for the Forgotten Sixty Percent).

YES, ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE

Is it really possible to have a happy marriage?” asked Courtney from Louisiana, USA in a  worldwide “Face to Face” event with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [ii]

Elder Jeffery R. Holland, a Latter-day Saint apostle, answered affirmatively, and rather emphatically:

"Let me declare unequivocally, absolutely, and adamantly that not only is there such a thing as a happy marriage, but happy marriages are the rule, not the exception. …  

"[N]ot just be happy but … ecstatically happy. … I want everybody to dismiss the idea that somehow this is a mountain that can’t be climbed, it’s a river that can’t be crossed, that there are too many difficulties to address marriage in this day or any day.
That is simply not true.

"You have to work at a marriage. Every good thing that I know of in this world you have to work at.

"God will help you. Of all the things in this world that He will help you with, He will help you with your marriages and your families, because it matters to Him at least as much as it matters to you”
(Holland, Jeffery R., 2016).

A happy marriage may require sacrifice, something good for something better, and may seem too hard if we fail to understand what is possible. Elder Richard G. Scott, also of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, adds a second testimonial to the enduring happiness of marriage:

"It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful. In time you begin to think alike and have the same ideas and impressions. You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together. …I feel sorry for any man who hasn’t yet made the choice to seek an eternal companion, and my heart weeps for the sisters who haven’t had the opportunity to marry.

"Some of you may feel lonely and unappreciated and cannot see how it will be possible for you to have the blessings of marriage and children or your own family. All things are possible to the Lord, and He keeps the promises He inspires His prophets to declare. Eternity is a long time. Have faith in those promises and live to be worthy of them so that in His time the Lord can make them come true in your life. With certainty, you will receive every promised blessing for which you are worthy"(Scott, R.G., April 2011, The Eternal Blessings of Marriage).

The greatest happiness is achieved by obedience to the true principles of God’s Plan of Happiness. “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Mathew 19:26)

ALL THINGS POSSIBLE

Why sink or swim if we, like Peter, can walk on the water by having faith - really believing Jesus Christ. 

And why risk divorce, if you can be good friends? Resolve doubt with faith in this fact: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).

“Two of the vital pillars," Elder Scott clarifies, "that sustain Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness are marriage and the family. Their lofty significance is underscored by Satan’s relentless efforts to splinter the family and to undermine the significance of temple ordinances, which bind the family together for eternity”
(Scott, R.G., April 2011, The Eternal Blessings of Marriage).

Elder David A. Bednar, a third witness for the enduring nature of marriage and its part in God’s divine plan, reminds us that “The Father’s plan is designed to provide direction for His children, to help them become happy” (2006). 

REMINDER

Elder Bednar reminds of the reality of opposition to happiness by “the father of lies” as the devil attempts to make people “‘miserable like unto himself’
(2 Ne. 2:27), by distortions, and general confusion."  

"'Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose' (The Family, A Proclamation to the World)  and in large measure defines who we are, why we are here upon the earth, and what we are to do and become. For divine purposes, male and female spirits are different, distinctive, and complementary. …

"After the earth was created … God said it was “not good that the man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18; Moses 3:18), and Eve became Adam’s companion and helpmeet. 

Adam and Eve, by Jay Bryant Ward

"The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of happiness. Alone, neither the man nor the woman could fulfill the purposes of his or her creation. … The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation. …

"As we look beyond mortality and into eternity, it is easy to discern that the counterfeit alternatives the adversary advocates can never lead to the completeness that is made possible through the sealing together of a man and a woman, to the happiness of righteous marriage, to the joy of posterity, or to the blessing of eternal progression” (Bednar, June 2006). 

References:

The Eternal Blessings of Marriage - Richard G. Scott. (2011). Retrieved May 24, 2017, from 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage?lang=eng

Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan – David A. Bednar. (2006). Retrieved May 24, 2017, from https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/06/marriage-is-essential-to-his-eternal-plan?lang=eng

Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved May 24, 2017, from Dictionary.com website:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/citation

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,”Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.

---

[i] Since 1976, an annual, nationally representative survey of high school seniors titled “Monitoring the Future,” conducted by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, has asked numerous questions about family-related topics. See http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/ and the Social Indica­tors section of this report.

[ii] August 2016, New Era: You Asked—They Answered: Marriage And Family; Adapted from Face to Face events on January 20, 2016, and March 8, 2016, and from a meeting with youth in Argentina held on February 23, 2016.

THE PLAN—HAPPINESS

Finding, and holding onto, happiness can challenge even staunch resolve.

More happiness is sought, by almost everyone.

Mosiah 4:19-20 “Are we not all beggars?  

When people are happy, they are more productive employees, so many employers provide seminars describing how to be happy. In 2013, at work, I watched a video about happiness.

Steve Achor made some wonderful suggestions.

There are dozens of other perspectives.

Something seldom mentioned, however, is asking God.
He can tell us how to find eternal happiness.

Talking to God is called prayer.

God answers prayers as the thoughts in a mind and the feelings in a heart agree. He answers to give us happiness.

He also provides answers through prophets and scripture.

In the Bible, James, an apostle of Jesus Christ taught, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
(James 1:5,  King James Bible.)

ASK!

A generous, kind Father in Heaven promises to answer our questions, and to unerringly guide us how to find, have, and enjoy continuing happiness. His plan is for happiness.

Do you doubt God’s reality?

Ask him, “Are you real? Do you exist?”

It is a great question. He will answer you.

Remember you are talking with a loving father. He created each of us. We are his children. Remember also, that he knows all and is not deceived, so ask sincerely.

I have asked. I witness that God does exist, and that he answers his children. He wants to help us be happy.

I have also asked about my existence and purpose.

I have learned about God’s plan; a plan of mercy, resurrection, redemption, and happiness (Book of Mormon, Alma 42:16).

THE PLAN

The “Plan of Happiness” is for every human, each mortal being. It comes to mortals through Jesus Christ, God’s own begotten son. “God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).

Quentin L Cook, an apostle in our time, teaches that "... because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all spirits blessed by birth will ultimately be resurrected, spirit and body reunited, and inherit kingdoms of glory that are superior to our existence here on earth."

Elder Cook's April 2009 General Conference talk is titled Our Father's Plan - Big Enough For All His Children. Truly all people (except a very, very few [i] ) will receive this gift of joyous life from Jesus Christ. We all die but we all will live again and will live in conditions "superior to our existence here on earth."

Those conditions will be mostly of our own choosing. We make choices here on earth about that happiness and what we desire, and there we will live with all the joy we truly desire. Even those that are NOT always completely obedient[ii] to God, here in mortality, will eventually have a place of glory there greater than this earth!

Amazing!!

Each of us will live after death as the scriptures and prophets teach. There is hope and happiness for every one of us. We can not begin to comprehend this promise of happiness and exceeding joy.

Do we realize the hope for the REALITY of enduring happiness?

God made the universe, this world, and our first parents, Adam and Eve. He made them to be together, and commanded them to remain together. Marriage, a man and a woman raising a family together, was created and defined by God. It is an essential part of enduring happiness.

The Introduction, Nathan Greene

“Marriage … is ordained of God”
(The Family, A Proclamation to the World).

God wants us to be happy. He tells us how to increase happiness, and have more lasting joy. Like most opportunities with enticing potential, this greater promise has conditions to be met and penalties to be avoided.

When a man and a woman are united in marriage as God commanded, the blessings promised are exponentially more than is possible in any other way.

“Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear,” an April 2017 general conference talk explains God’s mercy and love:

“The more I come to know my Heavenly Father, the more I see how He inspires and leads His children. He is not angry, vengeful, or retaliatory.[iii] His very purpose—His work and His glory—is to mentor us, exalt us, and lead us to His fulness.[iv]

(Christ) Rescue of the Lost Lamb, by Minerva K. Teichert (video: Parable of the Lost Sheep)

"God described Himself to Moses as 'merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.'[v]

"Our Father in Heaven’s love for us, His children, surpasses by far our ability to comprehend.[vi]

"Does this mean that God condones or overlooks behaviors that run contrary to His commands? No, definitely not!

"But He wants to change more than just our behaviors. He wants to change our very natures. He wants to change our hearts.

"He wants us to reach out and take firm hold of the iron rod [his word], confront our fears, and bravely step forward and upward along the strait and narrow path. He wants this for us because He loves us and because this is the way to happiness.

"So, how does God motivate His children to follow Him in our day?

"He sent His Son!"(President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2017).

"The Prophet Isaiah Foretells Christ's Birth" by Harry Anderson.

"God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to show us the right way.

“God motivates through persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned.[vii] God is on our side. He loves us, and when we stumble, He wants us to rise up, try again, and become stronger. . . .

“ 'God knows you perfectly. He loves you perfectly. He knows what your future holds. He wants you to 'be not afraid, only believe'[viii] and 'abide in his [perfect] love'[ix] (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2017).

He has a plan. His plan is for ALL of his children to be happy.


     [i] Doctrine and Covenants 76:32-37
     [ii]Doctrine and Covenants 76: 81-86
     [iii] On one occasion, the Savior wanted to enter a village of the Samaritans, but the people rejected Jesus and would not receive Him into their village. Two of His disciples were deeply offended by this and asked, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” Jesus answered with this caution: “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (see Luke 9:51–56, New King James Version [1982]).
     [iv] See Moses 1:39; see also Ephesians 3:19.
     [v] Exodus 34:6.
     [vi] See Ephesians 3:19.
     [vii] See Doctrine and Covenants 121:41. Surely if God expects us, His mortal children, to behave this way toward each other, He—a perfect being possessed of every virtue—would be the model for such behavior.
     [viii] Mark 5:36
     [ix] John 15:10.