Keeping the commandments of God leads to happiness

Before King Benjamin spoke to the people they offered a thanksgiving sacrifice. The following tells us why. Consider the end state of keeping the commandments (listed in bold).

Mosiah chapter 2:

4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.

41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

The opposite brings unhappiness.

Unfortunately there is a prevailing thought that God who loves us will excuse our rebellion without repentance. Perhaps people think that a loving God would not consign anyone to a state less than happiness because after all God is a God of love.

Simple expression of faith or acceptance that Jesus Christ is their Savior is the act that according to the modern protestant christian belief structure secures salvation. This doctrine is damaging to those who do not understand that these acts need to be coupled with a faith filled life.

1 John 2

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Prevailing modern day Christian doctrine believes that because Jesus paid the price for sins that the human race is free and will . Free from what? thought is that because Jesus offered himself that satisfies the He is also a God of justice. Mercy is obtained through repentance. When we repent the atoning blood of Jesus Christ can satisfy the punishment

Alma 41:

10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

11 And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.