“Holiness and the Plan of Happiness (excerpts),” New Era, Nov. 2019, 16–17.
Holiness and the Plan of Happiness (excerpts)
Only by faith in Jesus Christ, continuing repentance, and keeping covenants are we able to claim the lasting happiness we all yearn to experience and retain. …
… Greater happiness comes from greater personal holiness. …
… The Holy Ghost speaks in a still, small voice. I can hear Him when there is spiritual peace in my heart. He brings a feeling of happiness and assurance that I am becoming more holy. …
You have observed in your own life and in the lives of others the miracle of happiness coming from growing holiness. …
After Job repented and so became more holy, the Lord blessed him beyond all he had lost. But perhaps the greatest blessing for Job was to have increased in holiness through adversity and repentance. He was qualified to have greater happiness in the days he had yet to live.
Greater holiness will not come simply by asking for it. It will come by doing what is needed for God to change us. …
Whatever our personal circumstance, wherever we may be on the covenant path home, may our prayers for greater holiness be answered. I know that as our petition is granted, our happiness will increase. It may come slowly, but it will come. I have that assurance from a loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.