How do relationships lead to happiness?

I asked myself this question before opening my scriptures, and Jacob 4 contained some pretty great insights!

Jacob 4:2-3: "We can write a few words . . . which will give our children, and also our beloved brethren, a small degree of knowledge concerning us, or concerning their fathers--Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven the words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorry, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents." 

This passage associates the words "rejoice," "thankful," and "joy" with learning and knowing about others' experiences. So much of what we do comes as a result of what we have learned from other people. We can "learn with joy" as we get to know others and learn from them.

Jacob 4:4, 6, 13: "For this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us. . . . Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken. . . . The Spirit speaketh truth and lieth not. . . . But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old."

The scriptures were written that we might learn from people who we would never even meet in this life. Their experiences give us hope and faith. This life is all about inspiring others to learn truth and to find joy in it. There is power that comes from having multiple witnesses--there is power in numbers.

As we form a relationship with the scriptures and those who wrote in them, we increase in knowledge, wisdom, power, hope, faith, and joy.

Jacob 4:11: "Be reconciled unto [God] through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh." 

This passage gives an example of the best relationship we could ever invest in: a relationship with Christ. It is only through building a relationship with Him that we can be "reconciled unto God" and receive eternal life or a fulness of joy.

Jacob 4:14: ". . . And because they desired it God hath done it."

We get what we desire. If you have righteous desires, you will attract righteous friends. Your relationships will be built off of a solid foundation.

Jacob 4:18: "Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my anxiety for you."

We need a solid foundation in order to teach each other and maintain healthy relationships.


Having a relationship doesn't mean simply knowing someone. Investing in a relationship with someone means learning from them, becoming like them, and opening up to them. It means trust and vulnerability. It requires constantly bettering yourself so you can contribute more to the relationship.

Ultimate happiness comes as we invest in relationships with others, especially with Christ. As we learn from Him, become like Him, open up to Him, trust Him, and change as a result of our relationship with Him, we will understand the way all relationships should be formed. We will find true joy and lasting happiness.