Are "Mormons" happy?

We should be. This is a topic I've thought a lot about and my conclusions are my opinion, not church doctrine.

​There are some commandments that if obeyed should make us happier. If we don't drink, then we won't become addicted to alcohol or have our license revoked for driving drunk or be responsible for a drunk driving accident. On the other hand, some might say members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are no fun and not happy because we don't drink. If we are faithful to our spouse, we will not be divorced because of infidelity. If we keep the Sabbath Day Holy, we will have our bodies and minds rejuvenated. All these commandments if obeyed by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or non-members, will bring the blessings associated with keeping those commandments. Commandments are rules from a loving Heavenly Father to help us be more successful in this life and to help us be happy. When I keep the commandments and have a regular routine of scripture study and prayer, I am happier.
I am often too serious and regimented because of my religious beliefs. I try to obey every commandment, adhere to every principle, go the extra mile. I'm busy serving in my church, keeping up with my children, and trying to exercise and write and be involved in the community. All of that can be overwhelming and probably not how my Savior wants me to feel about his gospel and the good life I've been given. On the other hand, this summer I was sick for over a week and then injured my shoulder and was unable to do much. The children and I hung around the house. I thought I would enjoy scaling back on commitments and lounging. But instead I was unhappy, depressed, and felt little sense of accomplishment. When I am busy doing good things, I am happier.
Life is hard. I've considered having this made into vinyl lettering and placed over our front door for all of us to read before we leave the house. This statement of truth is not as encouraging as "Live, Laugh, Love" or "Families Are Forever" or "Return with Honor." Is it the hard times that make us unhappy? If all is going well for me, will I be happier? Maybe. If you choose to be happy. I discovered from planning a wedding for my daughter that joyful times can also be stressful and that happiness is a choice. During our general conference in April 2014, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf explained the truth about happiness in his talk "Grateful in Any Circumstances." He said, "Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be."
I have a friend whose husband and daughter were killed by a drunk driver. She obeyed the Word of Wisdom, God's law of health. But her life was changed by another person's poor decisions. In this case, surely, she deserves to be unhappy. But she's not. I'm sure there's moments where she feels great sorrow and even unhappiness. But I've heard her testimony. I know she is grateful in her circumstances. I would guess that she's experienced what President Uchtdorf describes as an act of faith. He said, "Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God. It requires that we trust God and hope for things we may not see but which are true. By being grateful, we follow the example of our beloved Savior, who said, 'Not my will, but thine, be done.' True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will. In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy." I am happier when I am grateful.
A better motto to stick above our door might be "Happiness is a Choice," or "Have Faith," or "Be Grateful." Then when life is hard and unhappiness seems imminent, we will turn to our Savior in faith, and make the choice to be happy.