Translation of the Book of Mormon

In the subheading of D&C 9 it reads: "The Book of Mormon is translated by study and by spiritual confirmation." I find it very interesting that the Book of Mormon was translated the exact same way in which we are encouraged to read it (Moroni 10:3-5 -- "read these things," "remember," "ponder it in your hearts," = study; "Ask God," "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" = spiritual confirmation).

Words are the tools we use to convey spiritual, emotional, or logical meaning. Translators use their understanding of one language to convey, as best they can, a certain meaning to others in another language with which they have also studied. If I understand correctly, the Book of Mormon was written in reformed Egyptian, with which Joseph Smith had no familiarity. This is why he would have required a different skill - the tool of revelation (including the Urim and Thummim = a physical representation of Light & Truth) - in order to translate, and is also my guess as to why Joseph said the Book of Mormon was "the most correct of any book on earth."

Although formal translation is definitely required to convert meaning from one language into another, we are technically also required to translate or interpret words even when reading or listening in our own language. Otherwise words would just be marks on a page or sound waves in the air. Our soul (which includes a body- blessed with a thinking mind- in conjunction with a spirit that possesses the ability to perceive light and truth) in combination with the Gift of the Holy Ghost- who appeals to both the heart and mind by testifying of truth- become our spiritual interpreters that enable us to translate simple words into something of spiritual significance.

[Although the words "translate" and "interpret" are not synonymous (translations are written and interpretations are verbal), I use them here interchangeably for the sake of simplicity.]

In the dictionary, synonyms given for the word "interpret" include "explain," "clarify," "expound," "understand," "illuminate," This suggests that when we do as Joseph Smith did and study the scriptures, afterwards seeking for spiritual confirmation of both their truthfulness and meaning, the result is clarity and illumination!

Beauty for ashes

Happiness is a choice

Happiness is a choice.

If, by this statement, you mean to say, “Have a heart full of gratitude,” “Keep an eternal perspective,” or “Don’t make things worse by being grumpy,” then I agree.

But if you are suggesting, rather, that at any given moment in time I can (or even should) simply choose to feel “happy” instead of sad, then agree I do not.

English synonyms for “happy” --

Pleasure

Cheerful

Jovial

Untroubled

Gleeful

Pleased

Joyful

These words convey a feeling of elation and cause us to envision a face with a full-toothed smile and light-filled eyes. But who honestly feels that way when they are grieving the loss of a spouse, the death of a child, suffering through chemotherapy, or experiencing the anguish of a mental illness?

The oversimplified statement, although well-intended, foolishly suggests that someone in the depths of despair – an essential part of our mortal experience – should simply choose to stop feeling that way and “be happy.” But sorrow and long-suffering are key components of God’s Plan of Happiness, not experiences we simply “choose” not to have. Please don’t take my character-building trials and accompanying emotions away from me by suggesting that they are optional.

When Adam and Eve lived in innocence before the Fall, their childlike lives were likely to consist of gleeful moments, jovial experiences, and untroubled times – a state that our English language would sum up as “happiness” according to the definition above. But Nephi teaches us that this state of “happiness” does not have the same depth or definition as Heavenly Father’s full “Plan of Happiness.” “Wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence having no joy, for they knew no misery” (2 Nephi 2:23). Misery and joy are two sides of the same coin. There is no joy without suffering.

I think of the “manner of happiness” or happiness as “a condition of the soul” in the 3-dimensional perspective of a roller coaster. There are deep lows of long-suffering and sorrow, slow rises full of reassuring peace and contentment, brief moments of elation, and all sorts of twists and turns in between. We can’t sum up the entire roller coaster ride by looking only at the picture the amusement park takes right as we’re going over the edge – it doesn’t fully represent the heights and depths of the entire experience. Our ability to fully experience long-suffering and sorrow allows us to develop a depth of character that would not have been achievable prior to the Fall.

In our daily use of the word “happy” we use it to express how we are feeling in the moment – our temporary emotional state. God, who is not bound by time, uses it to describe an eventual state of being, a “condition of the soul.” This is why He talks about it as a “plan of happiness” or refers to it as people living “after the manner of happiness,” rather than simply commanding us to “Just choose to be happy.”

He does, however, command us to “be of good cheer.” Is that not the same thing? It is if you confine yourself to the limited English connotation: Cheer is happiness, joy, gladness, merriment, and lightheartedness. Although it sounds like it’s one-upped the word “happy” in its level of maturity and gratitude, it still lacks depth. It still seems fleeting. But in Hebrew, the command to “be of good cheer” is a command “to be of good courage.” This seems to make so much more sense, considering the majority of the people in the scriptures who are told to be of good cheer are experiencing great fear, not sorrow (Mark 6:50, John 16: 33, D&C 61:36). Despite the famous lyrics, “Don’t worry, be happy,” I would never tell someone that is terrified, “Don’t be scared. Be happy.” But I might tell them, “Don’t be afraid. Be brave.” This becomes even more meaningful when you take apart the Hebrew words found in the scripture “be strong and of a good courage.” “Strong” comes from the word “chazak” which implies strength that comes from binding oneself to something – in this context, to God. The word “courage” comes from the Hebrew word “emas” which suggests a “strength in resolution” or “being firm in one’s position.”

In Hebrew, the word for happy is “Asher,” meaning “blessed.”

Can a person who is grieving the loss of a spouse, suffering through chemotherapy, or experiencing the anguish of a mental illness feel blessed? Can they make choices that bind themselves to God, and as a result, feel a firm resolution to press forward in spite of trials or pain? Through the gifts of agency and grace, people who experience suffering while maintaining an eternal perspective feel this type of “happiness” often.

I don’t believe happiness is a choice.

I believe happiness (God’s plan for us) is a result of a series of righteous choices (living after the manner of happiness), and that true happiness – not just a temporary emotional state – inevitably involves a journey of sorrow, long-suffering, peace, contentment, and joy... without which, happiness would be superficial and fleeting.

Though I may not always feel "untroubled" or "jovial," I will choose to follow His plan, for true happiness is deep and infinite.