~Blessings of Keeping the Commandments~

This week I have been studying a lot about the commandments. Why do we have commandments? Why do we need to obey commandments? And a response to these two great questions is simply, "Because we are loved." God is our father in heaven. He loves us and He cares about us. He wants us to be happy in this life and even in the life to come. But in order to have that eternal life, we need to make right choices here in this life. And the only way for us to find that true joy in this life is to follow His commandments and do the things He has asked us to do. Simple, huh?

It may sound easy but these small and simple principles to follow can be hard at times. There has always been an opposition even before the world began. We are all familiar with the war that went on in Heaven before the world was created. Because of this, Satan was cast out and many followed him. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, they disobeyed God's commandment. But it was necessary for this great plan to be fulfilled. In the Book of Mormon, Lehi counsels his son Jacob in the need of opposition in all things. He says, "...righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness or misery, neither good or bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life nor death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense or insensibility." (2 Nephi 2: 11) We can't measure happiness with out sadness or success with out failure! And that's why we have commandments as guidelines to help us in this mortal life. To reach our grand goal, which is to be with our Father in Heaven again for all eternity.

I read in the Bible this week about a certain commandment that was given to Jesus Christ from the Father. Even Jesus Christ obeyed the commandments. A great commandment that only Jesus Christ was able to accomplish for the whole world. It reads, "Therefore, doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (John 10:17-18) A magnificent commandment given to Jesus Christ compared to these small and simple commandments that the Lord has given us. His Atonement, which consists of these three immeasurable conditions: His Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, His Crucifixion and Death on the Cross, and His Resurrection are huge beyond our own comprehension. But Christ fulfilled this great commandment so we can overcome all things and return back to that home that awaits us.

I have come to appreciate the commandments more as I have read this account about the Savior and this huge commandment, the Atonement that was given to Him. Every commandment that our Father in Heaven has given us is for our own good and will help us. These commandments can be guides to us in our lives, and if we obey them we will be happy. And it is all because of the love He has for us. I know that as we obey these simple commandments, the Lord will bless us in all aspects of our lives. Our Father in Heaven is a 'God of Promise' and when He asks us to do certain things, He promises us blessings. As we earnestly try to obey our Father in Heaven’s commandments, it is important to remember that we can do it only with the help of Jesus. We should also remember that when we disobey, our Father in Heaven will forgive us when we place our faith in Jesus Christ and repent. Since we all have sinned, we should be very grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of His Atonement, our Father in Heaven can forgive and bless us and help us become obedient. We would never be worthy of our Father in Heaven’s blessings by ourselves. Sister Barbara McConochie was so impressed by the commandments she wrote the song "Keep the Commandments" for the Primary children. She then said, “Keeping the commandments is the anchor for our safety amidst the storm. True peace will come to each individual, family, and nation only as we learn obedience to the laws of our Heavenly Father.” I know that our Father in Heaven loves each and everyone of us. And as we obey His commandments relying on our Savior's great Atonement, we will find true joy and happiness in this life! I am grateful for the commandments and it has truly blessed me in my life.