Obedience

     The final Christlike Attribute is Obedience. Obedience is the first law of heaven. It requires us to act with faith. Sometimes we are commanded to do things even when we do not completely understand why. When I think of this principle, I think of the brother of Jared. "And he cried again unto the Lord saying: O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness? And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire... Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?" (Ether 2:22-25.) The brother of Jared is told not to make windows and then is given a reason why, however he is not given a reason as to why he should not have fires. In our time we understand that fire would not be a suitable light source in a submarine, as it would burn up all of the oxygen in the air. This scientific knowledge was unknown to the brother of Jared, and he would have had a hard time understanding it even if God had chosen to explain it to him, but he obeys anyway without delay or need for explanations. I feel that this same principle applies to us. There are many times in our lives when we are asked to do things. Sometimes we understand why those things would be necessary, but sometimes God keeps that knowledge to Himself, and we just have to be obedient, trusting that God has perfectly good reasons for His commandments. We just might not even be able to comprehend those reasons in our current mortal state.

     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. God gives commandments for our benefit. They are loving instructions for our happiness and for our physical and spiritual well-being. “The discipline contained in daily obedience and clean living and wholesome lives builds an armor around you of protection and safety from the temptations that beset you as you proceed through mortality.” -L. Tom Perry (May 1991 Ensign, Called to Serve.) As you obey, you increase in faith, knowledge, wisdom, testimony, protection, and freedom.