The Great Plan of Happiness: The Intersections of the Restored Gospel of Christ and Positive Psychology
Penn collection
Degree type
Discipline
Subject
belief
character strengths
church
Christianity
cognitive bias
community
eudaimonia
explanatory style
faith
Gospel of Christ
happiness
happy
health
hedonia
Latter Day Saints
LDS
meaning
meditation
Mormonism
Mormons
positive psychology
relationships
religion
religiosity
resilience
service
spirituality
spiritual practices
thinking traps
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
well-being
Biblical Studies
Buddhist Studies
Christian Denominations and Sects
Christianity
Civic and Community Engagement
Community Psychology
Ethics in Religion
Family, Life Course, and Society
Growth and Development
History of Christianity
History of Religion
Liturgy and Worship
Missions and World Christianity
Mormon Studies
New Religious Movements
Other Psychology
Other Religion
Political History
Practical Theology
Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Social Psychology
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Abstract
Happiness has been the Holy Grail sought by most of humanity for millennia. What it is and how to find it has been discussed and debated since the earliest records of humankind, and has been the object of countless studies by scholars the world over, including those in the field of positive psychology. Several empirically-based theories of happiness and well-being have emerged, and there is much commonality between them. It is proposed here that religion and spirituality are primary sources of happiness and well-being, and that there is much overlap between these sources and the research and practices emerging within the field of positive psychology. One religion in particular, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), shows many broad intersections with positive psychology research and the interventions which contribute to well-being. Examining these intersections may deepen the appreciation LDS adherents feel toward their membership and more fully inform their level of participation. In addition, there are many interventions found within positive psychology which, if learned and applied, may increase the happiness and well-being of members of the LDS Church, and the public at large.