Mormon 9:14
This is one of my favorite verses because it makes it clear that our lives are about becoming something rather than waiting for things to happen to us. Salvation isn't something we typically do at the last minute after wallowing in sin our whole lives, and happiness isn't usually something that we only get as a reward after suffering our whole lives. These are things that God offers us now, and which we can at least start to lay hold on now... although I am definitely not saying that the path is easy, or that there aren't some medical conditions that might interfere with an individual's ability/responsibility for either or both of these things. That has to be between us and God, and God will make everything right in the end.
What I am saying though is that, in general, for most of us, God offers us some portion of righteousness and happiness now, step by step, piece by piece, moment by moment. He is providing a way for us to get there, and if we have faith, he will help us to expand our portion and be able to see past the evil in the world around us and find the good. Even when things seem darkest, with God we can find reasons to rejoice, and greater joy can come now, in this life rather than being something that we merely look forward to, wondering how it would actually feel. And when we learn to lay hold on these things, and the amazing way they feel, we can also help uplift others, and share our happier and more righteous perspective.
Also, by happy and righteous perspective I do not mean a Borg/clone/robot/Stepford-Wives perspective where we just nod and smile with empty heads and repeat Sunday School answers with pasted-on grins. I'm saying that God is real and that he has real, relevant, timely answers for us now, today if we go to him sincerely in prayer and work with the inspiration he provides us. There is no sin or malady that can stand in his way, and he can and will do miracles in our lives if we work with him on who we want to become. ...And it doesn't have to be horrible. :) God's way can be fun... joyful even, if we allow God to help us to change our perspective and see the truth--that sin and darkness are awful burdens that he can help us be rid of.
Today, let's go to God in prayer and find ways to bring more righteousness and happiness into our everyday lives. Even if we have a lot to repent of, going to God and starting that process automatically adds a little bit of light, hope, and happiness to our souls. As we work on adding more and more to our lives daily, we're futureproofing against the day of judgement, and laying a foundation for that righteousness and happiness that we can have in the eternities. :)
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