LIVING AFTER THE MANNER OF HAPPINESS

The record of discord which exists in dysfunctional families didn’t begin with the children of Adam and Eve or, if you prefer, the first humanoids to inhabit this planet. As the scriptures claim it even existed in that celestial realm governed by Exalted Beings long before the children of our Eternal Heavenly Parents first set foot on this beautiful world.

War in Heaven

This term arises out of Rev. 12:7 and refers to the conflict that took place in the premortal existence among the spirit children of God. The war was primarily over in what manner and by who’s authority the plan of salvation would be administered to the forthcoming human family upon the earth. The issues involved such things as agency, how to gain salvation, and who should be the Redeemer. The war broke out because one-third of the spirits refused to accept the appointment of Jesus Christ as the Savior. Such a refusal was a rebellion against the Father’s plan of redemption. It was evident that, if given agency, some persons would fall short of complete salvation; Lucifer and his followers wanted salvation to come automatically to all who passed through mortality, without regard to individual preference, agency, or voluntary dedication (see Isa. 14:12–20; Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:4–13; D&C 29:36–38; Moses 4:1–4). The spirits who thus rebelled and persisted were thrust out of heaven and cast down to the earth without mortal bodies, “and thus came the devil and his angels” (D&C 29:37; see also Rev. 12:9; Abr. 3:24–28).

The warfare is continuing in mortality in the conflict between right and wrong, between the gospel and false principles, etc. The same contestants and the same issues are doing battle, and the same salvation is at risk.

Although one-third of the spirits became devils, the remaining two-thirds were not all equally valiant, there being every degree of devotion to Christ and the Father among them. The most diligent were chosen to be rulers in the kingdom (Abr. 3:22–23). The nature of the conflict, however, is such that there could be no neutrals, then or now (Matt. 12:30; 1 Ne. 14:10; Alma 5:38–40). (Bible Dictionary – Authorized King James Version – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

As father Lehi taught, a significant part of the Eternal Plan is the absolute necessity of Agency based on the need for an opposition in all things. Likewise, we don’t have to live very many years on this small earth to understand, when two or more are gathered there will exist a wide variety of opinions on what is the correct way to pass one’s life.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise when the patriarchal control which Lehi had over his sons no longer existed, that the conflict between Laman and Lemuel and those who were loyal to Nephi soon erupted into destructive dysfunctional decay, resulting in Nephi having to take those who followed him many days into a new land which they named Nephi.

In an appealing way, that style of life which Laman and his followers rejected and Nephi and his followers accepted, is beautifully expressed as the manner of happiness (2 Nephi 5:27).

Although we could just say they lived the Gospel of Jesus the Christ and it would cover the principles which led to their blissful living conditions, Nephi gives us a pretty good beginning of a list of characteristics and attributes which unite people and lead to loving and peaceful coexistence.

Obedience to the revelatory promptings of God

Observing to keep the judgements, statues and commandments of the Lord

Industrious and laboring with their hands

Faithful maintenance of historical records, especially noting the things pleasing unto God

Production of arms for protection

Building of sacred Temple

Consecrated teachers and priest

Although Nephi also refers to the characteristics of those who were governed by Laman, I will only mention that they were on the opposite end of the continuum from the attributes held by those who followed Nephi.

Our present day scene abounds with examples of the disunity which continues. There are examples of the discord which exists because of the need for opposition which accompanies Agency. Simply ponder on the present day destructive dysfunctional decay as your read, listen to or watch events reported about families, neighbors, communities, cities and nations minute by minute throughout your day.

In a very subtle way Nephi begins to unfold one of the central themes of the Book of Mormon, which is that since the children of men seem to have a propensity to always have varying views about who, what and why they are right and their brothers and sisters are wrong, the only way to have hope of one day living together after the manner of happiness is to accept that neither thee nor me are wise enough to develop such a plan and, therefore, we need to look to a proven Exalted source.

In chapter 50 verses 22 and 23 of the book of Alma we are given a second witness that the only way of overcoming the divisive destructive dysfunctional tendency which having the gift of Agency coexisting with the necessity of there being an opposition in all things is through faithfulness and obedience to the principles of Heavenly Fathers Plan.

And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites.

But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges.

Hopefully, sooner rather than later we will discover when left to our own understandings and intelligences our relationships in the human family will always be individuals who are at some level of dysfunctional divisiveness leading them to destruction and decay and our only hope is to use the Eternal Gift of Agency to choose to live after the manner of happiness.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY