The other day I saw an article on the results of the World Happiness Report for 2019. This is a report that tracks happiness in various countries throughout the world.

Apparently, the United States has been taking a downward slope for a few years now. I didn’t check where all countries stood, but I imagine war-torn and impoverished countries are pretty low on the list too, both of which the United States does not suffer in comparison.

I was interested to read the reasons why everyone, the researchers as well as the commenters, thought was the cause of this steady downturn. Here were some of their reasons:

• Addictions
• Depression
• Digital media
• The imbalance of wealth
• Shallow infotainment (this could possibly be code for Facebook)
• Climate change
• Unsupported health care
• Overall negative feelings
• Declining face-to-face interaction

As a result of their research, the researchers have decided that “happiness is probably good for health.” I have to be honest, this made me laugh and slap my head just a little.

Here are the researchers’ suggestions on finding happiness:

• Giving one’s time and resources
• More face-to-face relationships
• Supportive social relationships
• Cutting back on consumerism
• Getting involved in social justice
• Getting help when feeling depressed

Well, once again, I have to slap my head a little bit over some of these reasons. In my mind, there is only one reason this world is not happy. Sin.

And the only worthy suggestion is turning to Jesus Christ.

None of the responses even come close to these two answers, but the scriptures are so clear on this point.

In the Book of Mormon, Alma teaches, “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). In fact, Alma is the one who personally feels the effects of being a truly unhappy person and finding true happiness. His descriptive words really help us see the stark difference between the two and feel the relief of pure happiness he finds. He says,

“Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God. My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more” (Mosiah 27:28-29).

Wow! We all are dealing with “stuff” that brings us down. But what if we turn to God to help us out of our own dark abyss? Can we be engulfed in His marvelous light as well? There can be no greater happiness.

Lehi leaves his son, Jacob, with a blessing that explains the fall of Adam and Eve and the need for a Savior. He says,

“And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed, he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. … And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. … Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall” (2 Nephi 2:22-26).

This is powerful doctrine. There is good and evil in the world and we came down to earth to experience it all. It is through our agency, however, that we can choose the good and feel that indescribable happiness. Part of our Heavenly Father’s plan was to see the difference between good and evil, sadness and happiness, and choose good and happiness.

After King Benjamin gives his great conference address, all the people’s hearts are immediately turned toward the Lord. They are so overcome that in one voice they shout:

“O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.

“And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy” (Mosiah 4:2-3).

Is it hard to relate all of this to the World Happiness Report? Can you see how the difficulties we experience in this life, whether it be depression, addiction, too much media, war, hunger, and any other debilitating, sinful state (and yes, hunger comes because we are a fallen and sinful world) can be overcome when we completely turn our lives to Jesus Christ?

This report offered such elementary solutions when the only solution is Jesus Christ.