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Dear Gramps,

We are taught that we can dwell with God, become like Him, and be eternally happy.  I don’t understand how He and we can be free from sorrow–and, thus, experience happiness eternally–if God Himself weeps because of the disobedience of His children.  This characteristic of Him is found in scripture and in talks by the prophets.  E.g., Moses 7:28; D&C 76;26; Elders Holland, Taylor, Hanks, and others too numerous to cite.

Dennis

 

Answer

 

Dennis,

In our Book of Mormon we can read the following pertaining to the three disciples who were given permission to remain on the earth,

“And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world.” 3 Nephi 28:9

When I read your question, there appears to be the assertion that if we can experience sorrow, then we can’t experience happiness.

These three disciples were able to be free of sorrow except for the sins of the world — similar to the state our Father in heaven enjoys and experiences. One of the passages you have mentioned states the following, “And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?”

Although, I am confused a little as to why a person would feel that in order to experience happiness eternally, sorrow must never be experienced. In my own mortal life, I have experienced happiness many times over, and I have had my fair share of sorrow. The scriptures appear to testify we are free from sorrow — except for the sins of our children — which makes sense. What father or mother finds joy or happiness in the sins or wickedness of their children? And yet, we can find joy in the righteousness of our other children who choose good over evil. As far as I can tell, I will be pretty happy in the eternities if I am only able to experience sorrow when a child chooses sin over righteousness. And I will be eternally happy when a child chooses righteousness over sin.

Yet we shall be free from sorrow caused by death, pain, medical conditions, etc — too numerous to cite — that we will not experience what we experience now. Yes, it appears the eternities will bring a life without much sorrow, and a life with more happiness. I am looking forward to it.

 

Gramps

 

 

 

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