Full-Hearted Obedience
By C.S. Bezas

…be firm in keeping the commandments wherewith I commanded you;
and if you do this, behold I grant unto you eternal life,….
D&C 5:22

Why must we be “firm in keeping the commandments?” Our youth need to know. Is it simply to avoid pain? That can’t be true, because there were plenty of prophets who were obedient, yet suffered torture and other forms of deprivation because of their unyielding obedience to God.

Thus, thinking this through, obedience does not always bring absence of pain or absence of trial. In fact, sometimes it summons it. There is much for our seminary students to understand as to the topic of obedience and to grow in appreciation for it.

Is our obedience simply to win a prize — some perceived perk for having proven faithful to the God of this universe? That, too, is an unworkable stance, because sometimes perks in this life do not show up for the faithful.

Even a popular vocalist sang of how often it appears that good people pass on without experiencing fun. The lyricist of the song seemed to think that people who refrain from sin die without happiness (at least, from my perception of the song). “Come on,” you can almost hear those in the world who are similarly minded say, “get a little ‘fun’ in life.”

So here is the question: Why is it those who best know the Lord do not worry when immediate “fun” seems missing from rewards for gospel citizenship? How is it the Lord’s faithful speak in grateful tones for his mercies even whilst in the face of intense sufferings? Our students need to know. The prophets have told us the days ahead will be intense. Are our young men and women ready to remain obedient through it all, ignoring essentially the hecklers of this world?

After all Nephi went through, years later in retrospect he witnessed of the gentle goodness of the Lord (1 Nephi 1:1), yet his two book in the Book of Mormon record witness of horrifying acts of family violence enacted upon him by his brothers. How was it that he remained true and faithful to the Lord, in spite of great suffering? The anti-Nephi-Lehies also were quite similar in their perspective and their level of obedience, in spite of a large number of them who were slaughtered because of it (see Alma 24:15, 20-24).

Why is it that we sometimes wilt or even faint when the spiritual heat of the day becomes intense? What can we do to strengthen ourselves so that we can be faithful to the Lord in all settings, just like Nephi, the anti-Nephi-Lehies, and so many other obedient souls in the scriptures did. To imply that obedience always yields blessings in this life can be a disservice to our students. They need to understand that after the testing comes the blessings. And when we live this way, our students will see how to do it and be more likely to follow the path that leads to eternal life with God.

Thus, our students need to hear and know what it is that is so amazing about God’s goodness and his presence. They need to understand why those who know him best are obedient through any difficulty life may throw at them.

Nephi placed desire for obedience to God above the desire for physical comfort. If our students can’t yet comprehend this level of discipleship, what can we do to deepen their appreciation and understanding of it? Who wants to be fair-weather friends of the Lord, blown over by the slightest wind of indifference or physical trial? Not us as teachers and I doubt not any of our students.

Nephi, the valiant anti-Nephi-Lehies, and other trustworthy saints throughout history have been willing to stand firm in spite of discomfort. What insights do they hold for us? What do they hold for our students?

What truths were these ancient faithful so sure of, that nothing fazed them from their path towards the Most High? Our students desperately need this knowledge, because it will affect them for the rest of their earthly lives and eternal existence.   

For example, once our youth grasp for themselves the magnificence of Christ and what He did for them, the urgency of being faithful will fill their souls. This knowledge will lead to a love for their Redeemer that will become more powerful than anything the adversary could throw their way. Our students need to know this and we are the ones called to teach them of it.

The days ahead will not be easy ones. Read any of the prophetic words from the Lord’s selected spokesmen, both modern and ancient. Deeper troubles than we’ve yet known will soon be upon us, if not already beginning. Our students must know of God, of His goodness, and of the purpose of testing in this life. They need to understand and love the principle of obedience and what it will yield unto them. They need this knowledge deeply imbedded within them (as do we), so that when the final moments are upon them before Christ’s coming, they will not fold under the weight of it all.

Joseph Smith himself saw a varying level of faithfulness amongst those who were closest to him. Many individuals, both friends and associates, turned on him. Even though they had stood with him during historic times, the weight of discipleship felt too great. How is it they lost the joy that comes from a visionary mind and a willing, obedient heart?

And more importantly, how come Joseph Smith did not fail the Lord? How come he chose obedience, even while being falsely accused, betrayed, imprisoned, seeing his children become ill and die because of the acts of others? He suffered through tarring and eventual martyrdom. What is it that Joseph Smith and other valiant souls knew (and know) that brings them to the altar of complete obedience? What understanding of God do they have that allows them to trust Him completely, a Being that so many in the world accuse of absence from the very earth He created?

Our students deserve and need to know the answers to these questions. And they don’t just need to know them with their minds; they need to absorb them with their hearts. Picture each of these scenes:

These are faithful souls, steady in their witness and love of God during times when that same God might appear absent. It is our job to first know this for ourselves and then to share it with our students. Finally, our students need to see our modern-day example of such willing obedience.

There was a reason we shouted for joy in the pre-earth life upon reviewing the possibilities here (Job 38:7). We knew the possibilities; I’m sure of it. God is a God of truth. He would not have lied as to the difficulties we would experience here. I’m positive we had understanding, at least in part, of what lay before us if we chose the plan of happiness presented to us.

For example, my husband’s patriarchal blessing mentions he had the opportunity to view the possibilities present on the earth, both good and ill, and he still chose to come and to fulfill a work while here. Again, our God is a God of truth. Can you imagine Him withholding essential knowledge before we made our choice? I think not. And we can read that during that pre-mortal decision-making time, we shouted for joy (Job 38:7).  It would seem apparent we were privy to a great vista than what we now have.

The battle here rages. But amidst the suffering and anguish experienced in mortality, there really is joy that can await the faithful — even in this life. There are flowers to enliven the senses, foods to taste, birds to hear, so many pieces of beauty all around. And the relationships! Oh, the relationships of lasting love that we can build while here.

Lucifer would have us lose all of this, both now and in the eternities, by focusing on the sacrifices required of the faithful. He would also have us get so entangled in his snare of sin that we forget there really is a way back. But rather than get entangled, why not avoid the snares entirely? And thus, as teachers we show up every day for class with our students — to teach them of the plan of salvation, to teach them of the Redemption, and especially to teach them of the significance of obedience.

When our students (and us, for that matter) really understand the beauty of the Lord, His grace, His compassion, His wisdom, His mercy — the descriptions could continue on — these same students will far better grasp why the Lord’s prophets have revered and adored Him throughout the ages. Our students will want to please Him by repenting of their sins and living a life of full-hearted obedience. The individuals who have an undying love and awe for the Lord are those who have taken the time to get to know Him in the scriptures, through pondering and with prayer. As a result, these individuals become sons and daughters in Christ, experiencing the following as King Benjamin’s people did:

How essential it is for our students to gain this experience! They do this by being “firm in keeping the commandments” (D&C 5:22). We help them by inspiring them to do so.

Look for C.S. Bezas’ new book, Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers, available in LDS bookstores September 2006.