President Brigham Young on finding true happiness

Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"How vain it is in man to allow himself to think that he can make himself happy with the pleasures of this world. There is no lasting pleasure here, unless it is in God. When men leave the kingdom of God, their lives are filled with bitterness, their thoughts are full of fearfulness, and they are sorrowful, day by day. They may tell you they are happy. But when you probe them, and find out the inmost recesses of the heart, it is a cup of gall; they are not happy. They may seek, to the uttermost parts of the earth, for happiness, but they find it not.

"Where is happiness, real happiness? Nowhere but in God. By possessing the spirit of our holy religion, we are happy in the morning, we are happy at noon, we are happy in the evening; for the spirit of love and Zion is with us, and we rejoice in the spirit because, it is of God, and we rejoice in God, for he is the giver of every good thing.  Every Latter-day Saint, who has experienced the love of God in his heart, after having received the remission of his sins, through baptism, and the laying on of hands, realizes that he is filled with joy, and happiness, and consolation. He may be in pain, in error, in poverty, or in prison, if necessity demands, still, he is joyful. This is our experience, and each and every Latter-day Saint can bear witness to it."

- Brigham Young, discourse at Logan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 1876, JD 18:213-214
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Even in the "pioneer days" of Brigham Young, there was quite a dichotomy between the "pleasures of this world" and the "lasting pleasure" that comes form the Gospel plan. President Young was convinced there was only superficial or pretended happiness in the world's approach. This summary of the source of happiness is concise and inspiring:

This brings to mind one of my favorite statements from LDS scholar and apologist Hugh Nibley:

"We are commanded to be joyful because he has borne our sorrows.  He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief so that we need not be.  Our own sins and limitations are the things that make us sad.  He had no sins and limitations; he was not sad for his sake, but wholly for ours.  Only one could suffer for others who did not deserve to suffer for himself.
"If we remain gloomy after what he did for us, it is because we do not accept what he did for us.  If we suffer, we deserve to suffer because there is no need for it if we only believe in him."
- Hugh Nibley, “Prophets and Glad Tidings”, The Prophetic Book of Mormon, CWHN 8:259

What a marvelous perspective. Truly, there is great joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

June 1, 2015

President Brigham Young on overcoming sorrow in life

President Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"You need never expect to see sorrow, unless your own conduct, conversation, and acts bring it to your hearts. Do you not know that sorrow to you can exist only in your own hearts? Though men or women were in the mountains perishing—though they be in overwhelming depths of snow, freezing to death, or be on a desolate island starving to death for want of food—though they perish by the sword or in any other way, yet, if the heart is cheerful, all is light and glory within: there is no sorrow within them.

"You never saw a true Saint in the world that had sorrow, neither can you find one. If persons are destitute of the fountain of living water, or the principles of eternal life, then they are sorrowful. If the words of life dwell within us, and we have the hope of eternal life and glory, and let that spark within us kindle to a flame, to the consuming of the least and last remains of selfishness, we never can walk in darkness and are strangers to doubt and fear.

"Yet we see people among us who are still selfish, and that principle we must abandon: we must strip off selfishness, and put covetousness far from us. We must become of one heart and mind, in order to fully enjoy the blessings we anticipate."

- Brigham Young, "Source of True Happiness," November 15, 1857; see JD 6:41
Click here to read the full talk

This is an interesting perspective. The people of the pioneer era experienced many trials and hardships. But President Young teaches an important principle: how we react to the experiences of life is up to us. Sorrow and sadness are not required in a life filled with hope and faith. "[I]f the heart is cheerful, all is light and glory within: there is no sorrow within them."

Sorrow comes when we are "destitute of the fountain of living water." But on the contrary, if we are filled with the spark of "the hope of eternal life and glory," we will never walk in darkness. It is up to each of us to fill our lives with that light and hope.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Brigham Young on the sacredness of the sacrament

President Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"I would exhort my brethren and sisters to receive this ordinance [the sacrament] every Sabbath, when they meet together....

"We are in the habit of partaking of the contents of the cup each Sabbath when we meet together, and I do pray you my brethren and sisters to contemplate this ordinance thoroughly, and seek unto the Lord with all your hearts that you may obtain the promised blessings by obedience to it. Teach its observance to your children; impress upon them its necessity. Its observance is as necessary to our salvation as any other of the ordinances and commandments that have been instituted in order that the people may be sanctified, that Jesus may bless them and give unto them his spirit, and guide and direct them that they may secure unto themselves life eternal. Impress the sacredness of this important ordinance upon the minds of your children."

- Brigham Young, Brigham City, Sunday Afternoon, August 19, 1877; see JD 19:91-92
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Speaking of the sacrament, President Young exhorts us to "contemplate this ordinance thoroughly" in order to know how to claim its promised blessings through obedience. We profit by doing this often; there is so much to be learned from the symbolism, the prayers, the associated covenants, and even the method of administration and distribution.

The observance of the sacrament is critical to our salvation, as much as any other ordinance of our day. How we should focus on its meaning and blessings in our lives! Truly, it does enable us to "be sanctified" or made holy before God, and to receive a greater measure of His spirit and guidance in our lives.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Brigham Young on having the spirit of prayer

President Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"If the Devil says you cannot pray when you are angry, tell him it is none of his business, and pray until that species of insanity is dispelled and serenity is restored to the mind.

"We are inhabitants of a world of sin and sorrow; pain and anguish, every ill that can be heaped upon intelligent beings in a probation we are heirs to. I suppose that God never organized an earth and peopled it that was ever reduced to a lower state of darkness, sin and ignorance than this. I suppose this is one of the lowest kingdoms that ever the Lord Almighty created, and on that account is capable of becoming exalted to be one of the highest kingdoms that has ever had an exaltation in all the eternities. In proportion as it has been reduced so it will be exalted, with that portion of its inhabitants who in their humiliation have cleaved to righteousness and acknowledged God in all things. In proportion to our fall through sin, so shall we be exalted in the presence of our Father and God, through Jesus Christ and by living the righteousness of his Gospel. All this the people will understand in due time through their faithfulness, and learn to rejoice even in the midst of afflictions....

"Let us be just, merciful, faithful and true, and let us live our religion, and we shall be taught all things pertaining to the building up of Zion. Let us train our minds until we delight in that which is good, lovely and holy, seeking continually after that intelligence which will enable us effectually to build up Zion."

- Brigham Young, Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, May 24, 1863; see JD 10:175, 177
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There are certainly times in our lives when we feel more inclined to pray than others. President Young suggests that the Adversary takes advantage of our emotions to discourage us from praying at the times when we might most benefit. Are we inclined to pray when we are angry? Or when we feel discouraged, disappointed, annoyed at another, taken advantage of, overburdened? This is a powerful principle: when we don't feel like praying, we should pray anyway until we feel like praying again!

President Young goes on to describe the challenges of the world in which we live, full of "sin and sorrow; pain and anguish" and plenty of difficulties to go around. But we have the ability, individually and collectively, to rise above that world and to help raise the world to a better state as we turn to God and life faithfully. A great key is in the last sentence of this excerpt; we must begin to "train our minds until we delight in that which is good, lovely and holy, seeking continually after that intelligence which will enable us effectually to build up Zion." That training happens gradually, but must occur steadily in order for the miracle of change to occur.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Brigham Young on growing in blessings from God

President Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"Those who humble themselves before the Lord, and wait upon Him with a perfect heart and willing mind, will receive little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little, 'Now and again,' as brother John Taylor says, until they receive a certain amount. Then they have to nourish and cherish what they receive, and make it their constant companion, encouraging every good thought, doctrine and principle and doing every good work they can perform, until by and by the Lord is in them a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life."

- Brigham Young, discourse in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, March 15, 1857; see Journal of Discourses 4:286–87
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President Young seemed to love the imagery of the "well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life" (D&C 63:23; see also John 4:14). He spoke of it on a number of occasions. In this instance, he describes the process of growing in our spiritual sensitivity. We start by being humble, trusting in God's timing and wisdom. As we do that, we will begin to receive gifts and blessings, endowments of understanding and power. We must cherish and nourish those gifts as they grow stronger and stronger within us:

We sometimes neglect the "follow-up work" that we should do after we receive inspiration or blessings; we should focus our personal efforts in "encouraging every good thought, doctrine and principle and doing every good work." That is what brings the greatest growth and progress, allowing the Lord's well of living water to spring forth in our hearts.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Brigham Young on the power of a simple, honest heart

President Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"I care but little as to the outward appearance, if I can know that there is at heart a true feeling to do the will of God—to be honest before God and with one another. And in addressing a congregation, though the speaker be unable to say more than half-a-dozen sentences, and those awkwardly constructed, if his heart is pure before God, those few broken sentences are of more value than the greatest eloquence without the Spirit of the Lord, and of more real worth in the sight of God, angels, and all good men. In praying, though a person's words be few and awkwardly expressed, if the heart is pure before God, that prayer will avail more than the eloquence of a Cicero. What does the Lord, the Father of us all, care about our mode of expression? Mankind have fallen into the deep vortex of darkness. They know not from whence they came. They have sprung from their Father, God, and Savior, and have all gone out of the way. The simple, honest heart is of more avail with the Lord than all the pomp, pride, splendor, and eloquence produced by man. When He looks upon a heart full of sincerity, integrity, and childlike simplicity, he sees a principle that will endure forever—'That is the spirit of my own kingdom—the spirit I have given to my children.'"

- Brigham Young, "Knowledge—Object of Man's Existence on the Earth," remarks at Box Elder, June 7, 1860; see JD 8:283-4
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It's so natural and easy for us to evaluate and judge others based on outward appearances, including not just things like dress and grooming but also manner of speech and apparent level of education. President Young teaches an important truth about these judgments, though, in this excerpt. When a person has a heart that is "pure before God," though he be far from eloquent and persuasive in his communication, his words have the power to convey spiritual truths that is altogether lacking in the most polished orator who speaks without the spirit. And a prayer spoken from a pure heart in true humility and sincerity has the power to reach the heavens and invoke miracles far beyond one that is superficial and uncommitted.

It is the childlike simplicity and sincerity that will both allow man to communicate with God, and to share powerfully with each other. That purity of heart should be cultivated much more earnestly than eloquence and formality of speech.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

President Brigham Young on the importance of personal revelation

President Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"Without revelation direct from heaven, it is impossible for any person to fully understand the plan of salvation. We often hear it said that the living oracles must be in the Church, in order that the kingdom of God may be established and prosper on the earth. I will give another version of this sentiment. I say that the living oracles of God, or the Spirit of revelation must be in each and every individual, to know the plan of salvation and keep in the path that leads them to the presence of God."

- Brigham Young, "Duties Connected With the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood," Salt Lake Tabernacle, April 7, 1862; see JD 9:279
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The concept of "living oracles" is an important one in the Church of Jesus Christ. An "oracle" is defined as "a priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods in classical antiquity." In a religious context it refers to a prophetic voice, a person chosen as the spokesman or revelator for God's instructions to men. The Church today proudly teaches the importance and sacred gift of having a "living oracle," or a current spokesman for God, as the leader on earth.

This excerpt from Brigham Young, however, gives a new spin to the concept. While acknowledging the critical need for communication from God as the only way to "fully understand the plan of salvation," President Young charges "each and every individual" to become such an oracle:

So we must each possess that gift of revelation as "a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life" (D&C 63:23; see also John 4:14). We become our own oracle as we are worthy to receive the direction and inspiration from heaven to help us "know the plan of salvation and keep in the path that leads [us] to the presence of God." This is a sacred responsibility for each of us to seek, obtain, and treasure!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

Elder Neal A. Maxwell on facing life with good cheer

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) served as a Seventy from 1976-1981, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve until his death from cancer in 2004.

"The Lord knows our bearing capacity, both as to coping and to comprehending, and He will not give us more to bear than we can manage at the moment, though to us it may seem otherwise. (See D&C 50:40; D&C 78:18.) Just as no temptations will come to us from which we cannot escape or which we cannot bear, we will not be given more trials than we can sustain. (See 1 Cor. 10:13.)

"Therefore... can we not 'be of good cheer' in spite of stress and circumstance?

"President Brigham Young said of a geographical destination, 'This is the place.' Of God's plan of salvation, with its developmental destination, it can be said, 'This is the process.'

"President Young, who knew something about trial and tribulation but also of man's high destiny, said that the Lord lets us pass through these experiences that we might become true friends of God. By developing our individual capacities, wisely exercising our agency, and trusting God—including when we feel forsaken and alone—then we can, said President Young, learn to be 'righteous in the dark.' (Secretary's Journal, 28 Jan. 1857.) The gospel glow we see radiating from some—amid dark difficulties—comes from illuminated individuals who are 'of good cheer'!"

- Neal A. Maxwell, "Be of Good Cheer," Ensign, November 1982, pp. 66-68
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The Savior's admonition to "be of good cheer" appears several times in the New Testament (e.g., John 16:33, Matt. 9:2, Mark 6:50) and was repeated several times in modern scripture as well (e.g., D&C 68:6, D&C 78:18). Clearly it's a message that is timeless and applicable to all. If we truly understand God's plan for us and His love for us, there is no reason we should not be of good cheer.

At times when we feel burdened with challenges and problems, we may struggle to maintain the "good cheer." Elder Maxwell reminds us to keep the perspective that "the Lord knows our bearing capacity." Any trial we encounter is within our ability to endure, and will surely pass in due time.

I love the insights from the Brigham Young quotes. First, adding to Brigham's concept of "This is the place," our awareness of "this is the process" will help us to keep a beneficial perspective. And then this thought is also very insightful:

Two phrases from this reference stick out for me. First, through our "trials and tribulations" we can "become true friends of God." What a powerful designation, one to be earnestly sought and treasured.

Learning to be "righteous in the dark" is also an intriguing concept. The dark could include the times of challenge and trial; but also when, for various reasons, we're less able to feel spiritual help and support. At those times, our righteousness must be deeply ingrained, and not superficial. That kind of faith comes from trusting God even when we feel "forsaken and alone."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

President Brigham Young on living close to the Lord's Spirit

President Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"If you live near to God, and every moment have your minds filled with fervent desires to keep the law of God, you will understand the Spirit that comes to you; you will know how to build up the Lord's kingdom, and increase in every good thing; and it will be one continual scene of rejoicing instead of mourning....

"The persons who enjoy that Spirit are never sorrowful nor cast down. They never endure afflictions and mourn because they suppose that they have sacrificed for the Gospel, but they are always joyful, always cheerful, with a happy smile on their faces, and, as brother Robert said, it does make the devil mad. That is true, it makes him mad that he cannot afflict this people so as to make them have a sad countenance.

"When you come across those who have a wonderful sight of trouble, trouble with their wives and with their neighbors, it is those who do not live their religion. Those who have the Spirit of their religion feel hope bound in their feelings, and have a word of comfort for themselves, their families, and their neighbors, and all is right with them. Let us make the building up of the kingdom of heaven our first and only interest, and all will be well, sure."

- Brigham Young, discourse in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, March 29, 1857; see JD 4:299
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Those who learn to "live near to God" with "minds filled with fervent desires to keep the law of God" discover the truth of this principle, one that President Young taught regularly: there is great joy in righteous living. The Spirit that comes from God blesses and enriches, bringing strength and perspective to life.

The last statement provides an appropriate summary of the process that leads to the joyful life: "Let us make the building up of the kingdom of heaven our first and only interest, and all will be well, sure."

Brigham Young on the blessing of prayer in our lives

Brigham Young (June 1, 1801-August 29, 1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"The cares of the world, we know very well, flood in upon them; but let me tell you one thing—and I want you to seriously remember it—if you are in darkness, and have not the spirit of prayer, still do not neglect your prayers in your families in the morning. You, fathers and husbands, get down on your knees, and when the cares of this world intrude themselves upon your devotions, let them wait while you remain on your knees and finish your prayers. Brother Daniel D. Hunt's blessing over a dinner in Missouri, when he and Benjamin Clapp first met, is a very good prayer for us all. It was: 'O, Lord, save us from error.' If you can say no more than this very short but comprehensive prayer, go down upon your knees and say it.

"When you have labored faithfully for years, you will learn this simple fact—that if your hearts are aright, and you still continue to be obedient, continue to serve God, continue to pray, the Spirit of revelation will be in you like a well of water springing up to everlasting life. Let no person give up prayer because he has not the spirit of prayer, neither let any earthly circumstance hurry you while in the performance of this important duty. By bowing down before the Lord to ask him to bless you, you will simply find this result—God will multiply blessings on you temporally and spiritually. Let a merchant, a farmer, a mechanic, any person in business, live his religion faithfully, and he need never lose one minute's sleep by thinking about his business; he need not worry in the least, but trust in God, go to sleep and rest. I say to this people—pray, and if you cannot do anything else, read a prayer aloud that your family may hear it, until you get a worshiping spirit, and are full of the riches of eternity, then you will be prepared at any time to lay hands on the sick, or to officiate in any of the ordinances of this religion."

- Brigham Young, remarks delivered in the Old Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, November 17th, 1867; see JD 12:103, DBY 46
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In some ways, the early Church leaders often preached a very "practical" faith. In this sermon, President Young extols the importance of prayer, but in very down-to-earth ways. Pray even if you don't feel like it; pray even if it's the most simple of prayers. Pray especially when "the cares of the world... flood in" and distract or discourage us.

And I love the suggested promises when we do pray:

So we can be confident that "God will multiply blessings on you temporally and spiritually" when we pray consistently. We will "get a worshiping spirit" and be "full of the riches of eternity." Wonderful promises!

Brigham Young on contentment and joy from heaven

President Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"It is a mistaken idea in the inhabitants of the earth to conclude that it will not do for them to yield obedience to the commandments of heaven, lest it should abridge them in their comforts and in their enjoyments; for there is no real peace, there is no real happiness in anything in heaven or on the earth, except to those who serve the Lord. In His service there is joy, there is happiness; but they are not to be found anywhere else. In it there are peace and comfort; but when the soul is filled with joy, with peace, and with glory, and is perfectly satisfied therewith a person even then has but little idea of that which is in store for all the faithful.

"Thrust a man into prison and bind him with chains, and then let him be filled with the comfort and with the glory of eternity, and that prison is a palace to him. Again, let a man be seated upon a throne with power and dominion in this world, ruling his millions and millions, and without that peace which flows from the Lord of Hosts—without that contentment and joy that comes from heaven, his palace is a prison; his life is a burden to him; he lives in fear, in dread, and in sorrow. But when a person is filled with the peace and power of God, all is right with him."

- Brigham Young, remarks in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, July 5, 1857; see JD 5:1-2, DBY 33
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The great quest of mankind seems to be happiness—where to find it, how to preserve it. President Young points out the fallacy of his time, dramatically more common in our own day, of men thinking that God's commandments are restricting and confining, and contrary to happiness. He asserts just the opposite; "there is no real happiness in anything in heaven or on the earth, except to those who serve the Lord." Further, he points out that the joy and comfort a righteous soul experiences in this life are but a small taste of things to come.

He goes on to illustrate his belief in this interesting excerpt:

The outer, physical circumstances have little to do with real joy, deep joy. It's what lies in our heart and our spirit that matter, not where we are or what our surrounding circumstances might me.  "All is right" in any circumstance "when a person is filled with the peace and power of God."

Brigham Young on finding happiness through spiritual nourishment

Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"Ask for that which will make you happy and prepare you for life or death. What is that? Food for the mind, to feed the intelligent part of the creature. The Lord has planted within us a divinity; and that divine, immortal spirit requires to be fed. Will earthly food answer for that purpose? No; it will only keep this body alive as long as the spirit stays with it, which gives us an opportunity of doing good. That divinity within us needs food from the Fountain from which it emanated. It is not of the earth, earthy, but is from heaven. Principles of eternal life, of God and godliness, will alone feed the immortal capacity of man and give true satisfaction....

"In this life we are full of pain, disappointment, and worldly trouble. This gives us a chance to prove to God that we are his friends. Seek unto the Lord for his Spirit, without any cessation in your efforts, until his Spirit dwells within you like eternal burnings. Let the candle of the Lord be lighted up within you, and all is right."

- Brigham Young, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, December 18, 1859; see JD 7:138
Click here to read the full talk

I'm often surprised when I read the sermons of early Church leaders to see how "modern" and applicable the counsel sounds. We are tempted to think of the Utah pioneers as living relatively simple, basic lives as they struggled to extract a basic living from the desert wilderness. But this statement encourages mental and spiritual development, just as actively as we would today. Our spirit must be fed as well as our body to stay alive.

And the second paragraph expresses in such beautiful terms the hope that comes to a soul when it is spiritually fed:

I love these points:

• Struggles and challenges in life give us the opportunity "to prove to God that we are his friends." What an interesting way to state this! Do we turn to Him in those times of need? Do we demonstrate a friendship that has been developed, as every friendship must be, over time and with mutual effort?
• We should make continuing, ongoing effort to seek the influence of Lord's spirit in our lives "until his Spirit dwells within you like eternal burnings." Then it can gives warmth and life to everything we do and experience.
• Finally, we must allow "the candle of the Lord" to be active and burning within us, "lighted up" inside—and then "all is right."

Brigham Young on finding true happiness

Brigham Young (1801-1877) was part of the first Quorum of Twelve Apostles of this dispensation, called and ordained in 1835. He served as the second Church president, succeeding Joseph Smith, from 1847 until his death in 1877.

"How vain it is in man to allow himself to think that he can make himself happy with the pleasures of this world. There is no lasting pleasure here, unless it is in God. When men leave the kingdom of God, their lives are filled with bitterness, their thoughts are full of fearfulness, and they are sorrowful, day by day. They may tell you they are happy. But when you probe them, and find out the inmost recesses of the heart, it is a cup of gall; they are not happy. They may seek, to the uttermost parts of the earth, for happiness, but they find it not.

"Where is happiness, real happiness? Nowhere but in God. By possessing the spirit of our holy religion, we are happy in the morning, we are happy at noon, we are happy in the evening; for the spirit of love and Zion is with us, and we rejoice in the spirit because, it is of God, and we rejoice in God, for he is the giver of every good thing.  Every Latter-day Saint, who has experienced the love of God in his heart, after having received the remission of his sins, through baptism, and the laying on of hands, realizes that he is filled with joy, and happiness, and consolation. He may be in pain, in error, in poverty, or in prison, if necessity demands, still, he is joyful. This is our experience, and each and every Latter-day Saint can bear witness to it."

- Brigham Young, discourse at Logan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 1876, JD 18:213-214
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Even in the "pioneer days" of Brigham Young, there was quite a dichotomy between the "pleasures of this world" and the "lasting pleasure" that comes form the Gospel plan. President Young was convinced there was only superficial or pretended happiness in the world's approach. This summary of the source of happiness is concise and inspiring:

This brings to mind one of my favorite statements from LDS scholar and apologist Hugh Nibley:

"We are commanded to be joyful because he has borne our sorrows.  He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief so that we need not be.  Our own sins and limitations are the things that make us sad.  He had no sins and limitations; he was not sad for his sake, but wholly for ours.  Only one could suffer for others who did not deserve to suffer for himself.
"If we remain gloomy after what he did for us, it is because we do not accept what he did for us.  If we suffer, we deserve to suffer because there is no need for it if we only believe in him."
- Hugh Nibley, “Prophets and Glad Tidings”, The Prophetic Book of Mormon, CWHN 8:259

What a marvelous perspective. Truly, there is great joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ!