Your Countenance Tells the Truth

Several days ago I read a story that disturbed me.  A woman whose sister chose to "marry" a woman wrote the article.  She and her sister were both members of the Church.  Her sister chose to leave The Church to live a homosexual lifestyle.  The woman claimed that her sister was finally at peace now that she was living "true to herself" or something to that effect. 

What disturbed me was the claim of being at peace.  That's a bunch of malarkey. "You cannot do wrong and feel right.  It is impossible!"  Said the wise prophet, Ezra Taft Benson.

Ended up that the woman also left the Church which makes sense because the claim that her sister was finally at peace would not come from someone on the covenant path.

One thing that I have noticed is that people who once knew the Gospel, lived in the Gospel, embraced the Gospel-- And then turn away from the Gospel, always look miserable.  It radiates in their countenance.  Just as they are claiming to never be happier, to finally be at peace, or whatever other lies they tell themselves and others -- their countenance tells another story.  Their eyes are dark, their smile is forced and they look miserable.

You may be able to lie to others and even lie to yourself, but you're countenance will tell the truth.

True happiness is only found in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "Wickedness never was happiness" (Alma 41:10)

God has established Commandments.  They apply to everyone, regardless of beliefs.  Granted, because of upbringing and chances for learning, some people understand the Lord's Commandments better than others. But, everybody is born with the light of Christ (a conscience), everyone has a basic moral compass.

I've noticed that those who were once on the covenant path, having embraced the Gospel and having been taught the truths of the Gospel, are the ones who fall the hardest and radiate the most miserable countenances. It's extremely sad to see.  Especially when those closest to you, those whom you love the most are the ones choosing misery over happiness.

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."  (2 Nephi 2:27)

Your choices are reflected in your countenance.  Do you choose to live your life on the covenant path?  Do you choose liberty and eternal life by following our Savior?  Do you choose happiness?  Or do you choose to live a life outside of the covenant path?  Do you choose captivity and death?  Do you choose to follow the devil?  Do you choose misery?

Whatever you choose, it will be reflected in your countenance.

Those who choose not to follow the Savior's covenant path inevitably try to convince themselves that they are happy and at peace.  They may fool themselves.  They may even find fleeting happiness in sin for a time.  But their countenance will tell the truth. Even during times of fleeting happiness in sin, their countenance resonates misery.

"... I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?" (Alma 5:19)

My hope is that those who are choosing not to follow the Savior will quit fooling themselves and come back to the covenant path. Wherein true happiness is found.  I hope we will all be able to have the image of God engraven upon our countenances.

That's my two cents.