Gospel Principles
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 35: Obedience
Concept 6: Results of Obedience and Disobedience
"The kingdom of heaven is governed by law, and when we receive any blessing, it is by obedience to the law upon which that blessing is based.
D&C 130:21 "And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
D&C 132:5 "For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world."
The Lord has told us that through our obedience and diligence we may gain knowledge and intelligence.
D&C 130:18-19;
"18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."
We may also grow spiritually.
Jeremiah 7:23-24;
"23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward."
On the other hand, disobedience brings disappointment and results in a loss of blessings. "Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled? I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above." (D&C 58:31-33).
When we keep the commandments of God, he fulfills his promises, as King Benjamin told his people: "He doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you" (Mosiah 2:24).
Discussion
Read Jeremiah 7:23-24. What happens to those who do not repent of their disobedience?"