Obedience to the Commandments (delivered 15 July 2012)

At the twilight of the reign of King Benjamin, he gathered the people to the temple to hear his words. This vast throng of people was too great to fit within the temple itself, and so the people pitched their tents with the door towards the temple, organised according to families. This arrangement provided a better opportunity for those who had gathered to hear his words. To further aid the transmission of his message, King Benjamin had a tall tower constructed from which he would be able to speak to the people. Finally, written copies of the words he spoke were circulated among the people, so that what could not be heard, could at least be read[1].

It is interesting to note that the people pitched their tents with the door towards the temple. The record doesn’t suggest that this was according to King Benjamin’s instructions, as the tower and written copies being circulated were. Rather, this appears to be a choice of the people attending. The record explains that it was done so that, ‘…they might remain in their tents and hear the words which King Benjamin should speak unto them’[2]. In this choice, we see an action that is emblematic of obedience. In fact, the origins of the word obey suggest to listen or hear in the direction of[3]. For the Nephites listening to King Benjamin, their choice to listen in the direction of their king prepared them to covenant to always obey their heavenly king. We also have the opportunity to orient ourselves ‘to God-ward’[4]. When we do so, we are better prepared to listen and not trifle with His message[5]. I ask now for your prayers, and pray also myself, that our Father in Heaven will help us turn our hearts towards him as we speak now of obedience.

The fourth article of faith reminds us that the first principle of the gospel is, ‘…faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’[6]. Faith is another word for trust, and faith in our Savior denotes an attitude that we trust not only that He is and that He loves us, but also that everything we are called to pass through is a part of a glorious plan for our good. Faith in Jesus Christ is a requirement for every step that we make on our journey back to our Father in Heaven; and each step along His strait and narrow path requires always two things: sacrifice and obedience.

Abel, the righteous son of Adam, understood this principle. He obediently offered and kept the ordinances of the sacrifice. The scriptures record that, ‘…the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering’[7]. Contrariwise, ‘Cain loved Satan more than God’[8]. Cain’s offering to the Lord was given to follow a commandment of our common enemy. Consequently, the Lord did not respect Cain’s offering, nor did he respect Cain[9]. Some important lessons about obedience arise out of these scriptures.

1.     Obedience requires that we do the right thing in the right way.

Abel’s sacrifice was, as the ordinance required in this case, a blood sacrifice from the firstlings of his flock. Cain, on the other hand, made a sacrifice of plant produce. There was no similitude of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God[10]. It was not the ordinance the Lord required, and really amounted to a mockery of God. It may have had a form of godliness, but this false-ordinance denied the power of God[11].

In our own lives, we must take care to be listening for the Lord’s instructions, and then follow them. President George Albert Smith told the story of a friend who reserved the money that he owed in tithing each year, doling it out at his bishop’s request to help with the chapel or to support a missionary, as and when this friend felt it was a wise expenditure. When the friend asked the prophet what he thought of that approach, George Albert Smith responded as follows: ‘I think you are a very generous man with someone else’s property’[12]. The man was not paying tithing, despite the fact that his money was set aside and used for purposes consistent with the purposes of the church. Like Cain, this man was being disobedient. Obedience requires that we do the right thing in the right way.

2.     Obedience requires that we do the right thing for the right reason.

Abel offered sacrifice because the Lord required it. Cain offered sacrifice because Satan told him to. A vast gulf of direction and intention separated the two brothers, despite both offering sacrifice. Mormon spoke of the significance of our intent when we do good:

For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good.[13]

Abraham understood the vitality of obeying God not only with actions but also with desires. We read:

Abraham was commanded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was written: Thou shalt not kill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.[14]

Isaac was the son of the covenant, through whom all the blessings of the covenant would come to Abraham. Despite this, he trusted in God, exercised his faith, and willingly offered Isaac on the altar. At the last moment, a substitute was provided by God, just as the Savior is our substitute sacrificed to save us from spiritual death. But Abraham knew nothing of the substitute for his son. He willingly offered, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.

Considered this way, we reflect on the significant phrasing of the sacramental prayers. We signify by the eating of the bread that we are willing to keep His commandments[15]. Having come to the sacrament ordinance with broken hearts and contrite spirits, we thus find the essence of the new heart we seek from God – willing to keep His commandments with all our hearts, and blessed with the newness of spirit that can only come from the reception and companionship of the Holy Spirit. Such a willingness to be obedient needs constant nourishment and refreshment – only then can we retain a determination to serve Christ to the end[16]. Considering this, I have wondered how I might better show respect to God as I come to the sacramental altar each Sabbath day. I have wondered whether I can more fully turn the doors of my heart towards Him during that sacred time, so that my sacrifice, too, will be acceptable. In the sacrament as in the keeping of all commandments and covenants, we must have our eyes single to the glory of God. Then, God can have respect to our offerings. Obedience requires that we do the right things for the right reasons.

Thou Shalt Nots vs Thou Shalts

It can be easy to think of obedience in terms of the things we should not do. The ten commandments are predominantly invitations to avoid certain types of behaviour. Elder Neal A Maxwell said:

To underscore further what is being presented tonight concerning the mortal experience, one way of looking at the "thou shalt not" commandments is that these prohibitions help us to avoid misery by turning us away from that which is enticing but harmful and wrong. However, once we are settled in terms of the direction of our discipleship and the gross sins are left firmly behind—"misery prevention," it might be called—then the major focus falls upon the "thou-shalt" commandments. It is the keeping of the thou-shalt commandments that brings even greater happiness. True, as the scripture says, "Wickedness never was happiness" (Alma 41:10), but neither is lukewarmness full happiness. Failing to be valiant in Christian discipleship will leave us without significant happiness. Therefore, our active avoidance of wickedness must be followed by our active engagement in righteousness. Then we can come to know true joy—after all, man is that he "might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).[17]

Obedience thus requires avoidance of certain behaviours, as well as deliberate activity in other areas. President Kimball put it this way, in regard to the commandments associated with the oath and covenant of the priesthood:

One breaks the priesthood covenant by transgressing commandments—but also by leaving undone his duties. Accordingly, to break this covenant one needs only to do nothing.[18]

Wisdom and Order

Of course, all things must be done in wisdom and order[19]. Since my remarks are intended to focus on temple preparation, we know that there are many in the district who are worthy of and hold a current temple recommend. There are also those who desire to attend but who are working on some things in order to obtain their recommend. It is important to note that the Lord ‘…looketh on the heart’[20]. He knows where you are, what you might be struggling with, and his arms are reached out all the day long to lift and support you through[21]. He perfectly understands how to succor your needs[22]. Some scriptures at this point help us to understand the mercy inherent in the path of obedience.

Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.[23]

Perfection. The penultimate requirement. Heavenly Father can accept nothing less.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;[24]

The bitter blow. We come up short.

Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.[25]

A way out! In fact, the only way out. Like Enos we ask, ‘…how is it done?’[26]  The answer: faith in Christ. Trust. Obedience. Sacrifice. Action.

How can this be? We are unprofitable servants even if we serve our God with our whole souls throughout our whole lives[27]. And this is where the trust in Christ must be truly recognized.

…for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.[28]

The answer is clear. We do our best – whatever our best is at a given point – and Christ meets us much more than halfway to help us home. We read with hope the words of Mormon:

Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ;[29]

Perfect in Christ, despite being imperfect in ourselves. Thus the wisdom in the scripture, ‘…be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work’^[30].

God’s requirement for obedience is never beyond us. We can safely say, whatever the circumstances, ‘…I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded’^[31]; like Nephi, we understand that whatever that requirement is, the Lord will prepare a way for us to do it. We understand that we cannot be perfected in an instant. The strait and narrow path is long, but never lonely.

Wherever each of us are, there is some way we can be more obedient. There is a step we can take that hearkens to the Lord’s invitation, ‘…come, follow me’[32]. Take those steps one at a time. They will lead to the temple, time and time again. They will help you not only make but more fully keep the covenants that are made in that sacred place. They will lead to blessings sweeter than anything else you have ever tasted. They will lead to an embrace with our Savior, where, when we are like Him, He may say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy lord’.

I bear my testimony that we can perfectly trust the promises of the Lord. May we stride obediently onward in that faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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[1] Mosiah 2.

[2] Mosiah 2:6.

[3] “Obey”, Online Etymological Dictionary, <http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=obey>.

[4] Exodus 18:19.

[5] Mosiah 2:9.

[6] AoF 1:4.

[7] Moses 5:20.

[8] Moses 5:18.

[9] Moses 5:21.

[10] Moses 5:7.

[11] JSH 1:19.

[12] “The Story of a Generous Man,” Improvement Era, June 1947, p. 357.

[13] Moroni 7:6-10.

[14] D&C 132:36.

[15] Moroni 4:3.

[16] Moroni 6:3.

[17] Neal A. Maxwell, “The Pathway of Discipleship”, < http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=2618>.

[18] The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 497.

[19] Mosiah 4:27.

[20] 1 Sam 16:7.

[21] 2 Nephi 28:32.

[22] Alma 7:11-12.

[23] 3 Nephi 14:48.

[24] Romans 3:23.

[25] 2 Nephi 2:6.

[26] Enos 1:7.

[27] Mosiah 2:21.

[28] 2 Nephi 25:23.

[29] Moroni 7:32.

[30] D&C 64:33.

[31] 1 Nephi 3:7.

[32] Luke 18:22.