Gospel Principles
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 35: Obedience
Concept 1: Introduction
"When Jesus was on the earth, a lawyer asked him a question:
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
"This is the first and great commandment.
"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40).
From these Scriptures we learn how important it is for us to love the Lord and our neighbors. But how do we show our love for the Lord?
Jesus answered this question when he said, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father" (John 14:21).
We Should Obey God Willingly
Each of us should ask ourselves why we obey God's commandments. Is it because we fear punishment? Is it because we desire the rewards for living a good life? Is it because we love God and Jesus Christ and want to serve them?
It is better to obey the commandments because we fear punishment than not to obey them at all. But we will be much happier if we obey God because we love him and want to obey him. When we obey him freely, he can bless us freely. He said, "I, the Lord, ... delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end" (D&C 76:5). Obedience also helps us progress and become more like our Heavenly Father. But those who do nothing until they are commanded and then keep the commandments unwillingly lose their reward (see D&C 58:26-29).
Discussion
Read Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-29 "26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned."
Why is it important to obey willingly rather than unwillingly? How can we increase our desire to obey?"