Living After the Manner of Happiness

When Nephi and his people moved away from a dangerous situation, they began to establish their new home. After listing a number of their activities, Nephi summarized their situation in these simple words:

And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.

2 Nephi 5:27

Nephi’s father, Lehi, had taught the family, “Men [and women] are that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). Alma would later call God’s work “the plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8, 16). And in 1842, Joseph Smith taught, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence, and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it” (History, 1838–1856, p. 3).

What did Nephi and his people do that brought them happiness? Years ago, Elder Marlin K. Jensen explored that topic and listed nine activities that contributed to Nephi’s happiness and which also brought happiness into his life. Here is Elder Jensen’s list:

1. Spending time with family (2 Nephi 5:6)
2. Obeying God’s commandments (2 Nephi 5:10)
3. Gardening (2 Nephi 5:11)
4. Taking care of animals (2 Nephi 5:11)
5. Studying the scriptures (2 Nephi 5:12)
6. Preparedness (2 Nephi 5:14)
7. Working (2 Nephi 5:15)
8. Worshipping in the temple (2 Nephi 5:16)
9. Serving in the church (2 Nephi 5:26)

(See “Living After the Manner of Happiness,” Brigham Young University Devotional Addresses, 19 September 1995.)

I would add two other activities which contribute to my happiness:

10. Social interactions: Family is important, and so are friendships. I’m often focused on what I need to get done, but I have noticed that my mood improves when I set aside the list and engage with the people around me.
11. Being grateful: It’s easy to focus on the negative, from personal setbacks to catastrophic world events. While it’s important to be honest and clear-eyed about those challenges, they can overwhelm us and cause us to miss the really good things happening in our lives and in the world. Taking the time to acknowledge those good things can improve our emotional health.

Today, I will live “after the manner of happiness.” I will follow the example of Nephi’s people by participating in activities which will lift my spirits and the spirits of the people around me and which will help me find meaning and fulfillment in life.