Obedience

In the premortal existence, Heavenly Father presided

over a great Council in Heaven. There we learned of His

plan for our salvation, which included a time of testing on

the earth: “We will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all

things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them”

(Abraham 3:24–25). One reason you are here on the earth is

to show your willingness to obey Heavenly Father’s commandments.

Many people feel that the commandments are burdensome

and that they limit freedom and personal growth. But

the Savior taught that true freedom comes only from following

Him: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples

indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make

you free” ( John 8:31–32). God gives commandments for your

benefit. They are loving instructions for your happiness and

your physical and spiritual well-being.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that obedience to the

commandments leads to blessings from God. He said: “There

is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations

of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience

to that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C

130:20–21). King Benjamin also taught this principle. “I would

desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state

of those that keep the commandments of God,” he counseled.

“For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and

spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are

received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God

in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember

that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it”

(Mosiah 2:41).

Our obedience to the commandments is an expression of

our love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Savior

said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” ( John 14:15). He

later declared: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide

in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments,

and abide in his love” ( John 15:10).

Additional references: Joshua 24:14–15; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 7:21;

John 7:17; 1 Nephi 3:7; D&C 58:21–22; 82:8–10

See also Agency; Plan of Salvation