Advantage

Sometimes I wonder what advantage I have in being part of this religion. There is the obvious logical reasons you can list off: authority of the priesthood, baptism, my family being sealed together forever. But something that has really bothered me is when people talk about their first interaction with Mormons as "You were just so happy all the time and I wanted that."

As I've mentioned in other posts, I have a problem with depression. I'm not a happy positive person all the time and I'm sure my roommates from college can tell you how deeply I felt it whenever "drama" occurred. In other words, I've never really felt like I've lived up to this ideal of a constantly happy person.

Keeping all this in mind, this topic has shed some light on why I should feel more upbeat about my situation.

In Romans 3:1 it reads:

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Or in other words, just because you are a part of something doesn't mean that you instantly get all the good stuff associated with it. I'm Mormon and for all I know and understand I really should be happy or at least on the positive end of neutral all the time. I also know from the scriptures that it is expected and normal to have seasons where I'm on the edge of falling apart, but as far as day to day experiences there should be a slight spring in my step and smile on my face.

1 Corinthians 15:32 has a great reason for why I should be happy:

32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

I have something to look forward to! Every day I get to pray to the God of the universe - I'm going to be with my family forever - I know where I'm going and I know that the choices I make matter. There is no "live for today, forget about tomorrow" philosophy in my life because honestly I don't need it. I have purpose.

2 Corinthians 2:11 is more sobering:

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

In the realm of modern spiritual thought, little is really said about Satan and his reality. I've heard it said over the pulpit repeatedly to never underestimate him. Before he fell he was with us, he knew us and now that we're on this Earth without any memory of before he has an advantage. But so do we, we know of him and we know where our power to overcome him is - in our Savior Jesus Christ.

Lastly, Jude 1:16 gives warning against those who let this idea of having an advantage go to their heads:

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

In the last World Wide General Conference of the Church, one of the Apostles Elder Uchtdorf quoted a past leader in saying that we should be grateful for all the kindness and praise we receive but that we should never inhale it. Maybe thinking less of myself is a problem and maybe even a sin, but thinking too highly and throwing my life onto imaginary idols of advantage will lead me to become a person like the one Jude described.

Maybe when I'm 70 and cute and old I'll be one of those people who is always happy. Until then, I'll count my blessings and the good realities that are in my life.