The idea which many people indulge in, that there is something irksome about religion, something that deprives one of enjoyment, is a mistaken idea. There is nothing irksome, nothing that
requires the sacrifice of proper enjoyment, in keeping the commandments of God.

The Latter-day Saints have proved this. We illustrate the great truth that a people can be a
profoundly religious people and at the same time be a very happy people. I do not believe there
is any happier people on the earth than the Latter-day Saints. I have seen the Latter-day Saints
in the most trying circumstances, destitute of the comforts and of many of the necessaries of life,
and they have been a happy people under those circumstances. Gladness filled their hearts. It
was not gladness produced be external circumstances; but it was the gladness of the heart,
produced by the influence and power of the Spirit of God, and that is always true happiness.

Happiness that depends upon external circumstances is not genuine happiness. There must be
the fountain of it within us; and wherever we go and have that spirit within us, we shall be happy.
We may be in a most disagreeable situation as far as externals are concerned; but if we carry
within us this fountain of which I speak, and which the Spirit of God furnishes, we can be truly
happy.

This has been the case with this people. We should cultivate this, and teach it to our children. It
is not necessary to break the laws of God or to forget our obligations to Him in order to have
enjoyment.

(_Collected Discourses_ Vol. 5, February 27, 1898)
 
 

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