This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Promoting joyful living is one of Humanists of Utah's stated goals. Humanism is a branch or sect of the secular freethought movement. I have been a board member of the HoU since the early 1990s.
Apostle Russell M. Nelson said in his address at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints conference that "the purpose of life is finding joy" (Tribune, Oct. 3). Imagine that! Humanists of Utah and the LDS church share the same purpose!
Closer examination of Nelson's remarks however, displayed differences in the path to achieve joy. The HoU creed states that joy can be found through rational thinking (application of the scientific method) and responsible behavior. Nelson said that joy is a gift to those faithful to Mormon teachings and warns anyone who strays from official dogma will have no place to go to find joy. I do not doubt that many of my LDS friends and neighbors do find happiness in the teachings of their church. However, I am just as certain that many other people also find true joy by living rationally and responsibly.
Wayne Wilson
West Jordan