THE COMMANDMENTS AS AN IMPEDIMENT OR AS A SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS??

When a person acquires wisdom is when they get this one detail:

 

It has been a life-long quest to get this point across to the spiritually anemic types out there.  There are people that are thick-headed when it comes to math, some are thick-headed when it comes to logic or common sense - and then there are those who are spiritually thick-headed.

Usually, those things are mutually exclusive for this reason:

 28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

 29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

 30 But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.

 31 And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish.

 32 Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also.

 33 Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.

 34 Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell.

 35 Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die.

 36 Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell.

 37 Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them.

 38 And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.

 39 O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

 40 O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.

 41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

 42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

 43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.

Gotta love Nephi!