Obedience

“Men and women receive their agency as a gift from God, but their liberty and, in turn, their eternal happiness comes from obedience to His laws. "

(Elder L. Tom Perry, General conference, 2013)

“Today we find ourselves in another war. This is not a war of armaments. It is a war of thoughts, words, and deeds. It is a war with sin, and more than ever we need to be reminded of the commandments.”

 (Elder L. Tom Perry, General conference, 2013)

“None of us should ever underestimate how driven Satan is to succeed. His role in God’s eternal plan creates “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11) and tests our agency. Each choice you and I make is a test of our agency—whether we choose to be obedient or disobedient to the commandments of God is actually a choice between “liberty and eternal life” and “captivity and death.”

(Elder L. Tom Perry, General conference, 2013) 

“A useful way to think about the commandments is they are loving counsel from a wise, all-knowing Heavenly Father. His goal is our eternal happiness, and His commandments are the road map He has given us to return to Him, which is the only way we will be eternally happy. “

(Elder L. Tom Perry, General conference, 2013)

“In a world where the moral compass of society is faltering, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ never wavers, nor should its stakes and wards, its families, or its individual members. We must not pick and choose which commandments we think are important to keep but acknowledge all of God’s commandments. We must stand firm and steadfast, having perfect confidence in the Lord’s consistency and perfect trust

in His promises.”

       (Elder L. Tom Perry, General conference, 2013)

“We hear many persuasive voices demanding freedom from restrictions, particularly from moral restraints. However, we learn from the history of the earth that any successful society has had boundaries. Consider the earth itself. It was formed out of matter and in the beginning was empty, desolate, and dark. Then came order as God commanded that the light should be divided from the darkness. God’s command was obeyed, and the earth had its first day, followed by its first night. Then God ordered the creation of the atmosphere. He organized the sun, the moon, and the stars to shine in their appropriate times and seasons. After a series of commands and obedience to commands, the earth not only became habitable but beautiful.  “

                             (James E. Faust, General Conference, 1999)

“Obedience leads to true freedom. The more we obey revealed truth, the more we become liberated.”

                              (James E. Faust, General Conference, 1999)

“Obedience brings peace in decision making. If we have firmly made up our minds to follow the commandments, we will not have to re-decide which path to take when temptation comes our way. That is how obedience brings spiritual safety.”

          (James E. Faust, General Conference, 1999)

“Brethren, another aspect of obedience are our obedience to spiritual promptings. This too can be liberating. How many times have we felt regret for ignoring a prompting from a higher source?”

         (James E. Faust, General Conference, 1999)

" Of all the lessons we learn from the life of the Savior none is more clear and powerful than the lesson of obedience." 

                         ( Robert D. Hales, General Conference 2014 ) 

             

POSITION - I strongly believe in being obedient to the commandments and suggestions of the prophets and teachings of Jesus Christ. In my own life as I have made a consistent effort to be obedient, I have felt a greater level of peace in my life. My favorite analogy about obedience is that of a time that a little boy was out flying a kit with his father. The little boy asked his father why they kept the string on the kite and suggested that they cut it off. The father explained that if they cut the string off of the kite the kite would not be able to fly. He explained that the string of the kite actually allows the kite to fly higher. This is true with us, God's children as well. When we follow God's instructions we are able to accomplish and become individuals that we never would have been able to be. 

APPLICATION - As I have put forth effort to be more obedient in my life I feel the spirit able to influence me at higher levels. I find that the days that I keep my temple covenants at a higher level, even in my thoughts and words, I feel happier and able to accomplish more.