Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 35: Obedience
Comments and Resources "Joseph Smith said: "We cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot expect to know all, or more than we now know unless we comply with or keep those we have already received" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 256). "Obedience is the first law of heaven, the cornerstone upon which all righteousness and progression rest" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p 539). During the study of this topic, we will learn what obedience is, why the Lord requires it, and the blessings of being obedient." Resources:
Gospel Principles: chapter 35
Jesus the Christ, chapter 30.
The Articles of Faith, Chapters 23, 24.
Truth Restored, chapter 13.
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Chapter 21 Scriptures:
1 Nephi 3:1-8
"1 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father.
2 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying: Behold I have dreamed a dream, in the which the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brethren shall return to Jerusalem.
3 For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a 1genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass.
4 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness.
5 And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord.
6 Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured.
7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
8 And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord." Mosiah 2:22"And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." Alma 5:39-41
"39 And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this? Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil.
40 For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.
41 Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him." D&C 59:21; 82:10; 105:5-7
D&C 59:21"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." D&C 82:10"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." D&C 105:5-7
"5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.
6 And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.
7 I speak not concerning those who are appointed to lead my people, who are the irst elders of my church, for they are not all under this condemnation;" Genesis 22:1-13"God Commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac" Deuteronomy 8 "The Lord tested Israel in wilderness for forty years Eating manna taught them that man lives by word of God Their raiment waxed not old The Lord chastened them If Israel shall serve other gods, they shall perish." Matthew 7:21-29
"21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 ¶ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Abraham 4:25 "And the Gods organized the earth to bring forth the beasts after their kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after its kind; and the Gods saw they would obey." Articles of Faith 1:3 & 12
"3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."
"12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." Topical Guide:
Commandments of God
Commitment
Diligence, Diligent, Diligently
Disobedience, Disobey
Do, Did, Done
Endure
Obedience, Obedient, Obey
Steadfastness, Steadfast
Walking with God Bible Dictionary:
Commandments, The Ten
Fear Guide to the Scriptures:
Obedience, Obedient, Obey
Bless, Blessed, Blessing