February 17th, 2025, 3:19pm
It’s no secret that mental health is a hot topic. News Outlets frequently report on subjects such as the impact of skills on adolescent mental health, welfare and other related issues.
Pamela Ebstin King, professor and executive director of the Human Development Center at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, has spoken less than the mental health crisis.
“So many people in the United States are not necessarily rooted in faith or religious traditions, but are truly struggling around a field of meaning and purpose and an ultimate sense of belonging,” she says. Ta.
On Thursday, February 13th, King spoke about how religion and spirituality have a positive impact on human growth and happiness. She was the featured speaker at this year’s Marjorie Payhinckley lecture at Brigham Young University.
Marjorie pays a donated chair to Hinckley of Social Work, and social science is named after the wife of President Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Founded in 2003, the chair focuses on understanding and strengthening families, developing women, and creating strategies to support both parents and children. The Chair also invites scholars each year to share how their research deals with appropriate social issues.
During the lecture on February 13th, King spoke about the concept of prosperity and how religion strengthens its ability to prosper.
Prosperity is not a narcissist, she said, and it is not a navel-pouring concept. Rather, it is a path to becoming a whole and contributing to something bigger than you. “Prosperity happens with others, for God, and for God.”
A prosperous model
During her time as a graduate student in psychology, King said she pondered how Jesus Christ saved humanity. She said it was a great truth, but she often wondered if God intended people to be saved only from something, or if he wanted to be saved for something. .
“I don’t think we’re designed just to survive, but we’re designed to thrive as ourselves and live perfectly,” King said.
Christians are called to praise God, she continues, and she believes that prosperity means becoming more Christlike. But how does serving that purpose appear at a particular level of an individual?
“We may be called to follow Jesus, but it’s not uniformity,” King said. “So we are not all called to be like Jesus the same.” For her, part of becoming more Christ-like means pursuing psychology. It was there. But for someone else, serving the Savior may mean technology, creating art, or developing talent in other ways.
“Part of a thriving journey is to grow into your own uniqueness and personality, grow into your strengths, pursue your passion,” King says, “When we are happy, humans are happy I really believe that you will experience it.
King also shared the “mental health framework” she developed in each of the six concepts expressed in the letters of the word “prosperity.”
T – Transcendence and Spirituality – Habits and Rhythms – Relationships and Communities – Identity and Story – Occupation and Purposes – Ethics and Virtues
“Transcendence and spirituality” refers to how people experience God, King said. From a psychological perspective, a person’s brain is inspired and relaxed when they feel God’s love, she added.
She also said she enjoyed hearing how she experienced transcendence in temples from Latter-day Saints. “I love the sanctified space in that set apartment, a place where people can experience something beyond them.”
“Habits and rhythm” refers to spiritual customs such as prayer, service, fellowship, and missionary experiences.
“Relationships and Community” said Latter-day Saints are “all-stars” because the principle focuses on family and ancestors. “To be able to show up and be with people is very important to who we are.”
“Identity and Stories” is celebrating the uniqueness of an individual’s religious tradition and personality, King said.
“Profession and purpose” refers to finding a sense of calling, King continued. “Call” doesn’t have to be big either. For example, it can be made as simple as a gift to glorify the space. “It’s very helpful to have a community that helps you name your gifts.”
Finally, “ethics and virtues” means having a moral guide post. King said when an individual knows what their ethics are, it frees up mental space that they can use to make them happy, creative and good.
That’s why “being excelling in your field, in your profession, and living with that trait of your beliefs is truly important to prosperity,” she said.
