“The Nephites Live after the Manner of Happiness”
Easy ≠ Happy
Between leaving his home, journeying across the sea, and dealing with his murderous brothers, Nephi did not have an easy life. And yet, in 2 Nephi 5:27, this is how he described himself and his people: “And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.”
Nephi’s careful wording indicates that happiness is not just a feeling that sometimes occurs—it is connected to the way we live, and it is something we can work toward. In both good times and bad, we can choose to live as God lives and be blessed with His happiness. But what does it mean to “live after the manner of happiness”? Here are three suggestions:
- Keep the commandments.
- Change our focus.
- Work toward worthy goals.
