Do You Want to Be Happy?

18 January – Alma 41 – If you like who you have become and want to be this person throughout the eternities, then this is the chapter for you.   If you don’t like who you are, then here is the place where you learn what to do about it.

This could be a bit of a disturbing chapter.  If you’re not happy, read it carefully. 

V13 – “O, my son, . . . the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal or devilish for devilish – good for that which is good; righteous for that which is good; righteous for the which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful.”

V15 – “For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not all.” 

Sobering indeed.  I remember an acquaintance who was resisting the teachings of the church that he was happy with himself.  He liked who he was and had no desire to change.  He wasn’t a horrible person, but the things he liked that he did not want to forfeit were things of this world, and he will not have access to them after this life.  Will he be happy with himself when he can’t sit on the deck drinking his margarita and smoking a cigar?  Somehow, I don’t think that will be the case.  Will he be happy knowing that he has done little to help the life of another and that those opportunities are not his now?  I see no joy in that life at all.