Obedience

The topic of 'obedience' has been important for me to learn. I feel like I live the gospel and try to do what's right, even though I fail many times very frequently. Sometimes I get a complacent outlook about obedience because I'm not doing any of the HUGE sins, like adultery, or stealing. This sin of complacency has caused me to be a little too lax about certain "small" commandments. This topic of obedience is also very common among almost every session of general conference, and must be important. I loved President Eyring's analogy about how keeping the commandments is like taking care of a plant. If we neglect to water it, it will wither and die. If we are always consistent on keeping the commandments and striving to live them 100%, our testimonies will grow. Elder Packer states that true conversion relies on strict obedience to the commandments. Only through true conversion and will we be prepared to meet God.

Other fantastic quotes:

"First, as we walk in obedience to the principles and commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we enjoy a continual flow of blessings promised by God in His covenant with us. Those blessings provide the resources we need to act rather than simply be acted upon as we go through life. 1 For example, the Lord’s commandments in the Word of Wisdom regarding the care of our physical bodies bless us first and foremost with “wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures” (D&C 89:19). Furthermore, they lead to a generally more healthy life and freedom from destructive addictions. Obedience gives us greater control over our lives, greater capacity to come and go, to work and create. Of course, age, accident, and illnesses inevitably take their toll, but even so, our obedience to this gospel law enhances our capacity to deal with these challenges." -Elder Christofferson, "The Power of Covenants" April 2009

"But, like a growing plant, it must be nurtured or it will wither. Frequent and heartfelt prayers of faith are crucial and needed nutrients. Obedience to the truth you have received will keep the testimony alive and strengthen it. Obedience to the commandments is part of the nourishment you must provide for your testimony." -President Eyring "A Living Testimony" April 2011

Elder Perry gave a commandment, "The growing visibility and reputation of the church presents some remarkable opportunities to us as its members. We can help "disabuse the public mind" and correct misinformation when we are portrayed as something we are not. More important, though, we can share who we are. 'There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear (1 John 4:18).'" When we are obedient, we will have perfect love and no fear to do what's right.

Elder Oaks taught (April 2008): "In closing, I refer to the relationship between obedience and knowledge. Members who have a testimony and who act upon it under the direction of their Church leaders are sometimes accused of blind obedience."

President Uctdorf gave great insight (Oct 2009), "When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden."

Regarding Obedience to the law of tithing, Elder Hales said (Oct. 2002), "Tithing has been established in these latter days as an essential law for members of the Lord’s restored Church. It is one of the basic ways we witness our faith in Him and our obedience to His laws and commandments. Tithing is one of the commandments that qualifies us, by our faith, to enter the temple—the house of the Lord."

Elder Nelson (April 1994) said, "Revealed to that revered prophet was the fullness of the gospel. He was tutored by the resurrected Christ, whom Joseph adored. He taught doctrines declared by the Lord, including these He gave in response to the question of an exacting lawyer:“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.“This is the first and great commandment.“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”2Hence, our highest priorities in life are to love God and to love our neighbors. That broadly includes neighbors in our own family, our community, our nation, and our world. Obedience to the second commandment facilitates obedience to the first commandment. “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

Elder Scott (April 2002) said, "Stated simply, true conversion is the fruit of faith, repentance, and consistent obedience. Faith comes by hearing the word of God and responding to it. You will receive from the Holy Ghost a confirming witness of things you accept on faith by willingly doing them. You will be led to repent of errors resulting from wrong things done or right things not done. As a consequence, your capacity to consistently obey will be strengthened. This cycle of faith, repentance, and consistent obedience will lead you to greater conversion with its attendant blessings. True conversion will strengthen your capacity to do what you know you should do, when you should do it, regardless of the circumstances."

President Uchdorf said at the Relief Society Broadcast in October of 2011, "My dear sisters, seek out the majesty, the beauty, and the exhilarating joy of the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ.The “what” and “how” of obedience mark the way and keep us on the right path. The “why” of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the majestic. It magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration."

Even Elder Bednar, in April, 2005, said, "As I indicated earlier, the Lord’s tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord’s timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings."