Humor and play serve as echoes of a backward glance, providing rejuvenation and preventing injurious nervous tension. [1] It is not Father's will that his children should partake only of serious things, but also find joy, gladness, and life more abundantly. [2]
Service alternates with recreation, providing rest and rejuvenation on the journey to divine and perfect service. [3]
Play is restful, a necessary part of the sevenfold nature of rest that encompasses sleep, discovery, worship, energy intake, transit sleep, and metamorphosis. [4]
The philosophically sound principles of Urantian play life continue to guide and enrich ascending beings through their eternal journey to Paradise, where personal memories serve as the basis for humor and amusement at every stage of their celestial evolution. [5]
In early times, war was seen as a form of recreation for young men, with neighboring tribes engaging in sham battles as a holiday when peace felt oppressive. [6]
The joyous and exhilarating play of the Adamic children, largely derived from Adamic stock, introduced a new and glorified form of self-gratification on Urantia. [7]
Advancing celestial beings enjoy wholesome diversion, competitive games, and savoring the taste of good food to prevent monotony and find self-gratification. [8]
The play life of children in Jesus' time was limited, often imitating the serious activities of adults, with little organized games; Jesus himself found joy in playing with wood shavings in the carpenter shop. [9] Jesus admired Greek games, suggesting they would benefit the youth of Nazareth. [10] Jesus established a mid-week holiday for recreation, ensuring his disciples rested and enjoyed leisure activities. [11] Jesus introduced the idea of wholesome recreation, promoting physical, intellectual, and religious acquirements among his peers. [12] Despite the apostles' turmoil, Jesus led them in a period of rest and relaxation on Mount Sartaba to encourage peace and clarity of mind. [13]
On morontia worlds, enormous edifices provide for recreation and play, overseen by humorists and reversion directors for ascendant beings in training. [14]
All beings enjoy periodic reversion from duty, except inherent Creators, power centers, and physical controllers, who remain businesslike, and beings of Paradise perfection, who are incapable of depletion. [15] Worship on Paradise is the highest joy and refreshing play, utilizing all arts to intensify self-expression and convey appreciation. [16]