Lehi taught his son Jacob, “Men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25).
Joy, happiness, can be looked at from a number of ways: What is my joy? It’s a matter of my choices. Were I to choose the instant version, the world finds so appealing, selfish undisciplined satisfaction would be my ‘instant fix’… that leads me away from my God and eternal principles to lack of self control, then bondage. A poor substitute based upon me, me, me! Such choices lead me away from God.
When I make the more difficult, self-sacrificing decisions up front in favor of others and Christ’s purposes, I grow to an increased level of spiritual maturity. I then feel an inherent joy. God has made me so that I am happiest immersing myself in other’s needs. Such choices are seldom convenient. I find that anything of REAL value in this life is part and parcel with Christ’s purposes. That includes family, neighbors, and others… people, HIS children. That’s what I feel and know inside. Getting there’ consistently, is quite another thing. I am reminded of something Mary, our daughter(-in law), said regarding a mutual friend. Everything he does and says goes through his heart first. Thus his spiritual strength / discipline is close to the surface. He outwardly emulates many of our Savior’s personality traits… to the blessing of all who know him. Obviously it is a path less traveled that leads to a life consecrated to Jesus Christ.
So, talking of my eternity; He wants me (and ALL of us) to live by His laws because he wants me back in His kingdom. That heavenly home lost a third of its hosts who followed Satan when they rebelled and were cast down to the Earth[i]. It makes no sense that the such undisciplined should return to a kingdom of infinite order (therefore peace) by design. Were there to be no law in heaven, no order or discipline, anarchy and confusion would prevail. It would be no heaven at all! Should I not strive to live those laws here it will be difficult to change later since ANY inclination in favor of Christ’s teachings will be long gone. kdm
