How happy are we who come unto Christ. When we humble ourselves and come unto Christ, we can inherit the kingdom of heaven. “The poor in spirit! If they come unto Christ, salvation is theirs; and it is so often easier for those who are not encumbered with the cares and burdens and riches of the world to cast off worldliness and set their hearts on the riches of eternity than it is for those who have an abundance of this world’s goods” (Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1979–1981], 2:121). In Matthew 5:3 we read, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The addition of the words “who come unto me” in the Book of Mormon is an enrichment and completion of the thought given by the Savior.
Memories: Happiness Is in the Living, Not in the Getting
The Beatitudes teach us that if we learn and live certain Christlike qualities and attributes we can be happy. The Prophet Joseph taught us concerning our purpose in life. He said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (HC 5:134–35).
Our priorities and goals need to be congruent with the principles of happiness. With the wrong goal desired, we will find that things of the world simply do not bring happiness. Looking beyond the mark to obtain happiness was illustrated for us as a young couple when we desired to have a new home after nine years of renting. It was to be our first home, our dream home.
As young students in graduate school, we weren’t very wealthy. In fact, we struggled. I borrowed in order to get through school. And for our dates, we would buy graph paper and draw our future dream house. This went on for nine years as we began our lives, did a stint in the military, and came back again. And after nine years of marriage and moving ten times, it looked like we were going to be in our dream home at last. My sweetheart drew the plans—and she is so good at that. All those days we’d taken that graph paper and said, “When we move into our house, then we can really be happy.”
After ten years we moved into our new home. It was beautiful, located on a mountain crest looking over the valley, under the shadows of the mountain peaks. It was wonderful, on a half-acre of land. Oh, our dreams came true. As we were moving in that day, I thought back, “‘Wait, isn’t this the day? Yes, this is the day we start being happy. We finally get to have our very own home.” I was reflective as I realized this physical presence of our house did not bring happiness. I had sought happiness in a possession that I thought would bring happiness.
As my wife walked downstairs while we were moving some items, I said, “How do you feel?” She said, “Fine.” I said, “Do you feel any different than yesterday?” “No, it’s just fun to move in.” Yes, we had both missed the point. It’s not moving into a new home that brings us happiness. Happiness is a journey of living a life according to principles based on happiness, not on things that are possessed, not on positions, or titles, or stations. Happiness is in the living, not in the getting. (Ed J. Pinegar)