There could not be a happier people…
I’ve decided to write down some of my thoughts on religion each Sunday. I have volumes of thoughts, discussions, sermons and symposia. Most of them are filed in some random fashion in my office and this is going to be one of my means of organizing them.
A dear friend and colleague of mine has often mused over scriptures like Job 38:7 where the hosts of heaven looked at how the world was going to be organized and turn out, when the scriptures record “…The sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7) and wondered if in these instances did they really just mean that the men rejoiced, and not the women as well, at what they saw would happen in the world below.
When the women of heaven looked at their station in life they must have been deeply troubled. Not even in this, the most modern of times, are women treated with the respect and veneration that they deserve. Most of the world is organized against them.
I’m sure that both men and women saw joy in the plan, but it does seem that women are asked to bear an enormously large burden in this life. They must have seen the reward in it truest light in order to be convinced to accept the plan. Only by understanding the whole plan would it have seemed enticing to them I think.
But despite the evil that can happen in the world there are glimpses of hope.
I was pondering this condition when I read in 4 Nephi the following passages.
1 And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.
2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
10 And now, behold, it came to pass that the people of Nephi did wax strong, and did multiply exceedingly fast, and became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people.
11 And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.
12 And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.
13 And it came to pass that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus.
15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.
18 And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an *hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land.
I was so pleased to reread this passage, because it was a great remind of how men and women are seen in the eyes of the Lord and what he expects from us in our relationships at home, and the implications of these familiar relationships on society at large.
Here is what I take home from these verses.
1) There was no fighting. They had learned to air their differences in a way that did not disrupt the peace. I imagine this is because they had put away their pride and could discuss topic based on their merit an not on the emotional connection to one idea or another.
2) All things were common between them. Regardless of being a man, woman, child, divorced, sick, widowed etc. ALL things were equal before them. How they managed to do it id not explained, but the result was peace. One person did not put himself or herself above another. They did not think they deserved more. In sharing and in equality they were all free.
3) Marriage was central to the peace. But these were not your average marriages. For one they were established among people that were absolutely equal in every way. Based on that foundation – and then learning to keep the commandments as a couple ensured that there was no contention in the land.
4) This love of God, which started in the individual, moved to the family, and then spread to the nation can and should permeate the heart and mind of all those who desire to be disciples of Jesus Christ. If and when it does will be the beginning of peaceful days, for us as individuals, couples and eventually nations.
5) Then in 16 and 17 many crimes that had been seen in the past were mentioned. What is striking is that the crimes mentioned are those most concerning to women. Arguing, whoredom, lying, personal violence, unfaithful husbands, all of these crimes deeply touch women. And these are the ones specifically mentioned here in the scriptures. A Zion society is one that women would truly rejoice to be a part of. It will not just be good for one sex, but for both.
The final assessment was that there could not have been a happier people on the face of the planet.
Now, I cannot make Zion come any faster. I cannot make Christ come any faster. And given the conditions we believe will be present before we see these events transpire, I doubt anyone will confuse the world with a peaceful place that we all want to be a part of. It is going to be a tumultuous time.
BUT, I can become more Christ like personally and in my marriage. If I will first concentrate on fixing myself. And then learning to keep the commandments with my wife then I can be assured inner peace and peace as a couple.
I know that this Zion society in the home is possible. Janille and I have modified our behaviors to such a degree that we have never fought with each other ever. No arguing, no backbiting, no bitterness. Our marriage has been such a bed rock to us. It is the most wonderful gift from God.
Now least anyone think that we might get translated any time soon, let me assure you that this same peace as a couple is not extended to our children 100% of the time. We still have a long ways to go before being a perfect family. But I can tell you how nice it is to parent together. I know that I can trust Janille to not undermine – or me her – as we raise the kids. And we are both in the house practically 24/7 so we can do most of our parenting together to begin with.
Anyway, my point is that we can achieve at least 2 out of the 3 levels of peace. And in this world 2 out of 3 ain’t bad as they say. And if we can get these first two levels fixed, who knows what influence we might have on the world.
Be Healthy – Enjoy Life,
Matthew Stearmer
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Comments
Matt,
Please help me understand this part…
You wrote: “All things were common between them. Regardless of being a man, woman, child, divorced, sick, widowed etc. ALL things were equal before them. How they managed to do it id not explained, but the result was peace. One person did not put himself or herself above another. They did not think they deserved more. In sharing and in equality they were all free.”
To me it seems quite a jump of meaning from the word 'common' to the word 'equal'… please explain.
-jb
I think that I have to agree when talking about the plan of salvation. I
think that could only possibly bring joy when we contemplated the perfect
charity of Christ in providing for us what we could not do on our own, and
providing the means whereby we may progress in this world and in eternity.
But when contemplating the state of the world it is hard to see how they
could be joyful.
Now, all of that is speculation. We have no idea what we knew, or to what
extent we could understand in the first place. Even if the whole plan had
been shown to use it would have been like telling someone what it would feel
like to be wet for the first time. How do you describe that to someone who
has never felt anything on their skin.
So it is just speculation of the past based on what we see before us know.
But regardless, the sorrows we all face in this life can be swallowed up in
the joy of Christ.
Matthew Stearmer
I'm actually surprised that you find that to be quite a jump.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/common
12 dictionary results for: *common*
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v
1.1)<http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna.html>- Cite
This Source <http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=co...>
- Share
This <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/common#s...>
com⋅mon  <http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/luna...>
/ˈkɒmən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation
<http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_p...>
[kom-uhn] Show IPA Pronunciation
<http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_p...>
adjective, -er, -est, noun –adjective
1. belonging equally to, or shared alike by, two or more or all in
question: common property; common interests. 2. pertaining or belonging
equally to an entire community, nation, or culture; public: a common
language or history; a common water-supply system. 3. joint; united: a
common defense. 4. widespread; general; ordinary: common knowledge. 5. of
frequent occurrence; usual; familiar: a common event; a common
mistake. 6. hackneyed;
trite. 7. of mediocre or inferior quality; mean; low: a rough-textured
suit of the most common fabric. 8. coarse; vulgar: common manners.
9. lacking
rank, station, distinction, etc.; unexceptional; ordinary: a common soldier;
common people; the common man; a common thief.
You can take the any of the first 4 definitions of “common” and I see equal
all over the definition of common, especially in the first two primary
definitions. It does not seem like much of a jump – they sound more like
synonyms.
Looking in 3rd and 4th Nephi we gain a greater understanding of what was
meant. So you do not have to take the dictionaries word for it. Here are the
vs. that stick out to me as Mormon describes what happened as the
all-things-in-common phenomenon disappeared.
3Ne 6:12-14 – The Nephites began to be distinguished by rank, riches,
chances for learning, pride, persecution – “And thus there became a great
inequality in the land”
4Ne 1:24-26 – pride, wearing costly apparel and fine things of the world -
lead to divisions into classes and “their substances no more in common among
them”
Regardless of which scripture you look at you can see that on the
good/peaceful side equality and commonality are synonymous with peace. Class
divisions lead to dissention and eventually destruction.
I have more to talk about here. So I will put that in a new post because I
think that it is a very important topic. I'll post it in just a second.
Thanks for the question and discussion.
Matt S
Wow, this article is complex. I loved it! It opened me to the meaning of Christianity and salvation.
To quote: BUT, I can become more Christ like personally and in my marriage. If I will first concentrate on fixing myself. And then learning to keep the commandments with my wife then I can be assured inner peace and peace as a couple.
How true that is…I only wish I could say I was among those counted as “happier people”. Unfortunately, my husband of only a year decided that as a wife I don't measure up and chose to seek immoral contact via internet & phone. I am now remembering to concentrate on fixing myself…if he can see his way clear to concentrate on himself a bit more, perhaps we'll eventually join the happier people again.
This post is very inspirational. I like the fact that you made a decision to write down what you feel every Sunday. This is something I plan on copying in my journal.
Yaa, in this tough and competitive world nobody is happy. And if we at least try to get some happiness we would think that we are happier in this world.
The book of Nephi? There is not one in my Holy Bible! But, nevertheless, you make some very good points about marriage. The Happier people are people in the happier marriages, and the happiest children are raised by happier parents, on the same team.
The book of Nephi? There is not one in my Holy Bible! But, nevertheless, you make some very good points about marriage. The Happier people are people in the happier marriages, and the happiest children are raised by happier parents, on the same team.
It's amazing that they managed 300 years of peaceful living – wonder what that would be like.
IT is somewhat mind-boggling to think what it must have been like to have an idea of what mortal life would be like – accpeting the challenge of certain time periods and locations around the world.
But I do have to say, after thinking on this scripture in Job more, that I think both the men and the women shouted for joy over the Plan of Salvation – not necessarily over what their mortal experience would be, but they could certainly shout for joy over the Plan. The rest simply required a trust in God and faith to do what was asked of them once they got to earth. Not that the experince would be easy, but do we ever really fully comprehend what we are getting ourselves into when we committ to a decision on faith and belief that it is the right thing to do? Pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood come to mind.