Why Commandments?

     Why does God give us commandments? I believe there are many reasons he gives them to us. In the beginning we were given agency, or the ability to choose for ourselves. When we make a choice, we have to face a consequence. Good choices have favorable consequences, while bad choices lead to painful outcomes. If we don't have commandments, then there is nothing that defines right and wrong. Now what would be the reason for being able to choose if everything we did was "good", including lying, stealing, cheating, and murder? We are given commandments so that we can know what is right and wrong. Without the consequences associated with breaking a commandment, we could never learn the difference between good and evil. Gaining that knowledge is one of the main reasons we even came to earth.

     Another reason I see that we have commandments is to give us a path so we can live happy lives. Here is a story of a boy that learns this principle while flying a kite:

     "The boy was very young. It was his first experience with kite flying. His father helped him, and after several attempts the kite was in the air. The boy ran and let out more string, and soon the kite was flying high. The little boy was so excited; the kite was beautiful. Eventually there was no more string left to allow the kite to go higher. The boy said to his father, 'Daddy, let's cut the string and let the kite go; I want to see it go higher and higher.'

     His father said, 'Son, the kite won't go higher if we cut the string.'
     'Yes, it will,' responded the little boy. 'The string is holding the kite down; I can feel it.' The father handed a pocketknife to his son. The boy cut the string. In a matter of seconds the kite was out of control. It darted here and there and finally landed in a broken heap. That was difficult for the boy to understand. He felt certain the string was holding the kite down.
     The commandments and laws of God are like the kite string. They lead us and guide us upward. Obedience to these laws gives us peace, hope, and direction." -Patricia P. Pinegar (Nov. 1999 Ensign, Peace, Hope, and Direction.)

     As we learn from this boy, commandments are not restrictions, but rather supports. From my experience of living the commandments to the best of my ability, I have experienced a greater understanding of the many joys that God has given to us while on the earth. Certain commandments help us to stay away from addictions which can be chains in and of themselves, so by living by those "restrictions" I am able to stay free. I have never really looked at a commandment as a restriction because I am able to see the true freedoms that come from living the commandments.