Happy...

Alma 50:23 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.

I thought this was an interesting statement considering that they had been in wars with the Lamanites. It is interesting when it says there was never a happier time among the people of Nephi since the days of Nephi. Neither of those times were easy. There were very stressful things happening. *Nephi doesn't talk of being happy, does he? Anyway, it is interesting to think about what happiness means. I think these scriptures are telling us that in the midst of great trials, we can feel happiness. That comes from feeling supported by God in our trials and feeling His love despite what is happening in our lives. It comes from having the Holy spirit with us.

When I read this scripture in Alma, it immediately made me think of this one:

Mosiah 2: 41
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

*I just found a scripture where Nephi does indeed talk about happiness. I stand corrected.

2 Ne. 5: 27
27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.

** I am still thinking about happiness and it reminded me of this great talk by Pres. Uchtdorf to the Young Women of the church:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=bcf8ebf1f8a38210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

And my father dwelt in a tent

I have always found it interesting that Nephi mentioned so many times that they were living in tents after they left Jerusalem. What are we to learn from this? In my mind, he is trying to tell us that great things can happen in humble circumstances and also that even when conditions are not ideal, good things can still occur.


The occurrences of "dwelt in a tent" in the Text of the Scriptures, sorted by relevance.

1 Ne. 2: 15
15 And my father dwelt in a tent.
1 Ne. 9: 1
1 And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.
1 Ne. 10: 16
16 And all these things, of which I have spoken, were done as my father dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel.
1 Ne. 16: 6
6 Now, all these things were said and done as my father dwelt in a tent in the valley which he called Lemuel.


The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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