After successfully fending off an attempted invasion by the Lamanites, Moroni and his people immediately got busy fortifying their cities further and preparing for the next attack. During this time of uncertainty and hard work, Mormon tells us that their emotional state was unexpectedly positive:
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 (Alma 50:23).
President Russell M. Nelson has taught us that our happiness need not be dependent on our circumstances:
“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives” (“Joy and Spiritual Survival,” General Conference, October 2016. Note that both Neil L. Andersen and D. Todd Christofferson quoted this statement in the October 2019 general conference.)
And in our most recent general conference, President Nelson reiterated this point:
What will happen as you more intentionally hear, hearken, and heed what the Savior has said and what He is saying now through His prophets?… Your capacity to feel joy will increase even if turbulence increases in your life (“Hear Him,” General Conference, April 2020).
Today, I will remember that my happiness is not dependent on my circumstances. I will make the effort to hear and follow the voice of the Savior, knowing that His guidance will lead me to joy.
This was so positive, so full of hope in these days of uncertainty. I want to be just like Moroni’s people. I want to find joy in my current circumstances. When I look back on this time I want to be able to say: “There never was a happier time in my life then the days of 2020.” Thank you!
Thank you for that comment. What a beautiful thought, that 2020 can be one of the happiest times in our lives. Have a great day!