C-Teachings
and Doctrines of the Book of Mormon
Obedience
Brings Blessings
Our obedience to God’s commandments is one way that we
demonstrate our gratitude for His
marvelous blessings. The Savior is a perfect example of obedience. Our desire
to be obedient grows as our love for God increases. Obedience to the
commandments makes it possible for God to provide the help we need as we seek
to accomplish difficult tasks.
1 Nephi 2:1–20; 3:4–7, 15–16; 4:1–2; 7:12;17:1–31; 18:1–4;2 Nephi 31:6–10, 15–16;Mosiah 2:20–24, 41;15:7; 3 Nephi 11:11;12:19–20, 48; Abraham 3:24-25; D&C 130:19–21; Acts
5:29; D&C 59:21
“How can we ever repay the debt we owe to the Savior? He paid a debt He
did not owe to free us from a debt we can never pay. Because of Him, we will
live forever. Because of His infinite Atonement, our sins can be swept away,
allowing us to experience the greatest of all the gifts of God: eternal life. “Can
such a gift have a price? Can we ever make compensation for such a gift?” (JBWithlin, Ensign
May 2004, 43) Mosiah 2:20–24. When
we recognize our eternal debt to God, we desire to serve Him and keep His commandments
“Of all the
lessons we learn from the life of the Savior, none is more clear and powerful
than the lesson of obedience. (RDHales)
Mosiah 15:7; 3 Nephi 11:11; 2 Nephi 31:6–10, 15–16
“The most
important of all the commandments of God is that one that you are having the
most difficulty keeping today. … Put that aright and then you start on the next
one that is most difficult for you to keep. That’s the way to sanctify yourself
by keeping the commandments of God” (Teachings of
Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee [2000]
MAY 2013- Obedience Brings Blessings- Thomas S. Monson
The poet wrote: Tho the heavens depart
and the earth’s fountains burst, Truth,
the sum of existence, will weather the worst,
Eternal, unchanged, evermore.
Some would ask, “Where is such truth to be found, and how
are we to recognize it?” In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at
Kirtland, Ohio, in May of 1833, the Lord declared:
“Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they
were, and as they are to come. …“The Spirit of truth is of God. … “And no man
receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.
“He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and
light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”
What a glorious promise! “He that keepeth [God’s]
commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and
knoweth all things.”
There is no need for you or for me, in this enlightened
age when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or
to travel unmarked roads in search of truth. A loving Heavenly Father has
plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide—even obedience. A
knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we
are obedient to the commandments of God.
We learn obedience throughout our lives. Beginning when
we are very young, those responsible for our care set forth guidelines and
rules to ensure our safety. Life would be simpler for all of us if we would
obey such rules completely. Many of us, however, learn through experience the
wisdom of being obedient.
When I was growing up, each summer from early
July until early September, my family stayed at our cabin at Vivian Park in Provo Canyon in Utah.
Danny and I learned several difficult but
important lessons that day—not the least of which was the importance of
obedience.
There are rules and laws to help ensure our physical
safety. Likewise, the Lord has provided guidelines and commandments to help
ensure our spiritual safety so that we might successfully navigate this
often-treacherous mortal existence and return eventually to our Heavenly
Father.
Centuries ago, to a generation steeped in the tradition
of animal sacrifice, Samuel boldly declared, “To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
In this dispensation, the Lord revealed to the Prophet
Joseph Smith that He requires “the heart and a willing mind; and the willing
and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”
All prophets, ancient and modern, have known that
obedience is essential to our salvation. Nephi declared, “I will go and do the
things which the Lord hath commanded.” Though others faltered in their
faith and their obedience, never once did Nephi fail to do that which the Lord
asked of him. Untold generations have been blessed as a result.
A soul-stirring account of obedience is that of Abraham
and Isaac. How painfully difficult it must have been for Abraham, in obedience
to God’s command, to take his beloved Isaac into the land of Moriah to offer
him as a sacrifice. Can we imagine the heaviness of Abraham’s heart as he
journeyed to the appointed place? Surely anguish must have racked his body and
tortured his mind as he bound Isaac, laid him on the altar, and took the knife
to slay him. With unwavering faith and implicit trust in the Lord, he responded
to the Lord’s command. How glorious was the pronouncement, and with what
wondered welcome did it come: “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou
any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not
withheld thy son, thine only son from me.”
Abraham had been tried and tested, and for his
faithfulness and obedience the Lord gave him this glorious promise: “In thy
seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my
voice.” Although we are not asked to prove our obedience in such a dramatic and
heart-wrenching way, obedience is required of us as well.
Declared President Joseph F. Smith in October 1873,
“Obedience is the first law of heaven.”
Said President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The happiness of
the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the
Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal
salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the
counsels of … God.”
Obedience is a hallmark of prophets; it has provided
strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages. It is essential for us to
realize that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and
knowledge. It is readily available to each of us today as we obey God’s
commandments.
Throughout the years, I have known countless individuals
who have been particularly faithful and obedient. I have been blessed and
inspired by them. May I share with you an account of two such individuals.
Walter Krause was a steadfast member of the
Church who, with his family, lived in what became known as East Germany
following the Second World War. Despite the hardships he faced because of the
lack of freedom in that area of the world at the time, Brother Krause was a man
who loved and served the Lord. He faithfully and conscientiously fulfilled each
assignment given to him.
The other man, Johann Denndorfer, a native of
Hungary, was converted to the Church in Germany and was baptized there in 1911
at the age of 17. Not too long afterward he returned to Hungary. Following the
Second World War, he found himself virtually a prisoner in his native land, in
the city of Debrecen. Freedom had also been taken from the people of Hungary. Brother Walter Krause, who did not know
Brother Denndorfer, received the assignment to be his home teacher and to visit
him on a regular basis.
No greater example of obedience exists than that of our
Savior. Of Him, Paul observed:
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the
things which he suffered;
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him.”
The Savior demonstrated genuine love of God by living the
perfect life, by honoring the sacred mission that was His. Never was He
haughty. Never was He puffed up with pride. Never was He disloyal. Ever was He
humble. Ever was He sincere. Ever was He obedient.
Though He was tempted by that master of deceit, even the
devil, though He was physically weakened from fasting 40 days and 40 nights and
was an hungered, yet when the evil one proffered Jesus the most alluring and
tempting proposals, He gave to us a divine example of obedience by refusing to
deviate from what He knew was right.
When faced with the agony of Gethsemane, where He endured
such pain that “his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to
the ground,” He exemplified the obedient Son by saying, “Father, if thou
be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be
done.”
As the Savior instructed His early Apostles, so He
instructs you and me, “Follow thou me.” Are we willing to obey?
The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we
yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a
complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s
commandments. I quote once again the words of the Lord: “He that keepeth
[God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth
and knoweth all things.”
It is my humble prayer that we may be blessed with the
rich rewards promised to the obedient. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Savior, amen.
“If Ye Love Me, Keep My
Commandments” Elder Robert D. Hales, May 2014
Using our agency
to obey means choosing to “do what is right [and letting] the consequence
follow.”
Brothers and sisters, of all the lessons we learn from the life of the
Savior, none is more clear and powerful than the lesson of obedience.
The Savior’s Example
In the premortal Council in Heaven, Lucifer rebelled against Heavenly
Father’s plan. Those who followed Lucifer ended their eternal progression—be
careful who you follow!
Then Jesus expressed His commitment to obey, saying, “Father, thy will be
done, and the glory be thine forever.” Throughout
His ministry, “he suffered temptations but gave [them] no heed.” Indeed, “he
[learned] obedience by the things which he suffered.”
Because our Savior was obedient, He atoned for our sins, making possible
our resurrection and preparing the way for us to return
to our Heavenly Father, who knew we would make mistakes as we learned obedience
in mortality. When we obey, we accept His sacrifice, for we believe that
through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind
may be saved, by obedience to the laws, ordinances, and commandments given in
the gospel.
Jesus taught us to obey in simple language that is easy to understand:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments,”5 and “Come, follow me.”
When we are baptized, we “take upon [us] the name of Christ” and enter
“into the covenant with God that [we will] be obedient unto the end of [our]
lives.” Each Sunday we renew that
baptismal covenant by partaking of the sacrament and witnessing that we are willing to
keep the commandments. We seek forgiveness for any thoughts, feelings, or actions
that are not in harmony with our Heavenly Father’s will. As we repent by
turning away from disobedience and by beginning to obey again, we show our love
for Him.
Types of Obedience
As we live the gospel, we progress in our understanding of obedience. At
times we may be tempted to practice what I call “natural man’s obedience,” in
which we disobediently reject God’s law in favor of our wisdom or our desires
or even popularity. Because this is widely practiced by so many, this
perversion of obedience diminishes God’s standards in our culture and in our
laws.
At times members may participate in “selective obedience,” claiming to
love God and honor God while picking and choosing which of His commandments and
teachings—and the teachings and counsel of His prophets—they will fully follow.
Some obey selectively because they cannot perceive all the reasons for a
commandment, just as children do not always understand the reasons for their
parents’ counsel and rules. But we always know the reason we follow the
prophets, for this is the Church of Jesus Christ, and it is the Savior who
directs His prophets in all dispensations.
As our understanding of obedience deepens, we recognize the essential role
of agency. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed three times to
His Father in Heaven, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from
me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” God would not override the Savior’s
agency, yet He mercifully sent an angel to strengthen His Beloved Son.
The Savior met another test on Golgotha, where He could have called upon
legions of angels to take Him down from the cross, but He made His own choice
to obediently endure to the end and complete His atoning sacrifice, even though
it meant great suffering, even death.
Spiritually mature obedience is “the Savior’s obedience.” It is
motivated by true love for Heavenly Father and His Son. When we willingly obey,
as our Savior did, we cherish the words of our Heavenly Father: “This is my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And
we look forward to hearing, upon entering our Heavenly Father’s presence, “Well
done, thou good and faithful servant: … enter … into the joy of thy lord.”
Using our agency to obey means choosing to “do what is right [and
letting] the consequence follow.” It
requires self-mastery and brings confidence, eternal happiness, and a sense of
fulfillment to us and, by example, to those around us; and it always includes a
deep personal commitment to sustain priesthood leaders and follow their
teachings and counsel.
Consequences
In choosing whether we will obey, it is always helpful to remember the
consequences of our choices. Did Lucifer and his followers understand the
consequences of choosing to reject Heavenly Father’s plan? If so, why did they
make such a terrible choice? We might ask ourselves a similar question: why do
any of us choose to be disobedient when we know the eternal consequences of
sin? The scriptures provide an answer: the reason Cain and some of the children
of Adam and Eve chose to disobey is because “they loved Satan more than God.”
Our love of the Savior is the key to Savior-like obedience. As we strive
to be obedient in today’s world, we declare our love and respect for all of
Heavenly Father’s children. Yet it is impossible for this love for others to
modify God’s commandments, which were given for our good! For example, the
commandment “thou shalt not … kill, nor do anything like unto it” is founded
upon spiritual law that protects all of God’s children, even the unborn. Long
experience suggests that when we ignore this law, immeasurable sorrow results.
Yet many believe it is acceptable to terminate the life of an unborn child for
reasons of preference or convenience.
To rationalize disobedience does not change spiritual law or its
consequences but leads to confusion, instability, wandering in strange paths,
being lost, and grief. As disciples of Christ, we have a sacred obligation to
uphold His laws and commandments and the covenants which we take upon
ourselves.
In December 1831 some of the brethren were called upon to help allay
unfriendly feelings that had developed toward the Church. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord
directed them in an unusual, even surprising way:
“Confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in
private. …“Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the
Lord. “… No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; “And if any man
lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time.
“Wherefore, keep my commandments; they are true and faithful.”
Lessons in the Scriptures
The scriptures are full of examples of prophets who have learned the
lessons of obedience by their own experience.
Joseph Smith was taught the consequences for yielding to the pressures
of his benefactor, friend, and scribe Martin Harris….
The prophet Moses provides another example. When Moses
obediently took an Ethiopian wife, Miriam and Aaron spoke against him. But the
Lord rebuked them, saying, “With [Moses] will I speak mouth to mouth.” The Lord used this incredible incident
to teach members of the Church in our dispensation. In 1830 Hiram Page claimed
to receive revelation for the Church. The Lord corrected him and taught the
Saints, “Thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto
[Joseph], even as Aaron,” “for he
receiveth them even as Moses.”
Obedience brings blessings, “and when we obtain any blessing from God,
it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”
Obedience is taught by example. By how we live, we teach our children,
“Learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of
God.”
Obedience makes us progressively stronger, capable of faithfully
enduring tests and trials in the future. Obedience in Gethsemane prepared the
Savior to obey and endure to the end on Golgotha.
My beloved brothers and sisters, the words of Alma express the feelings
of my heart:
“And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I
might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless
before him. …“And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and
gentle; … being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times.”
I bear my special witness that our Savior lives. Because He obeyed,
“every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess … that he is [our Savior].” May we love Him so deeply and believe
Him in faith so completely that we too obey, keep His commandments, and return
to live with Him forever in the kingdom of our God is my prayer in the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.
1. Does God simply want us to obey a set of commandments,
or does he hope our obedience will build certain character traits?
2. Does doing the right thing with a bad attitude build
the character traits necessary for advancement toward exaltation?
3. How many roads to happiness and joy exist? Which label
better fits the road; “doing the right things” or “being the right kind of
person?” Are the labels related?
4. How is obedience related to attitude? To behavior?
On one occasion
when church leaders in a tersely-worded editorial had denounced the trends of
the political administration then in power, Marion G. Romney confided in me:
‘When I read that editorial,’, ‘I knew what I should do—but that wasn’t enough.
I knew that I must feel right about following the counsel of the Church leaders
and know that they were right. That took a whole night on my knees to
accomplish.’ I submit in that statement the difference between ‘intelligent’
and ‘blind’ obedience. (Harold B. Lee, “Marion G. Romney,” Improvement
Era, Oct. 1962, 742).
“Half
obedience will be rejected as readily as full violation, and maybe quicker, for
half rejection and half acceptance is but a sham, an admission of lack of
character, a lack of love for Him. It is actually an effort to live on both
sides of the line” (Mark E. Petersen, Ensign, May 1982, 16).
