“3: Be Obedient,” My Foundation: Principles, Skills, Habits (2015), 8–9
“3: Be Obedient,” My Foundation, 8–9
3
Be Obedient
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Ponder:What laws must I obey to become more self-reliant?
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“Obedience Brings Blessings” (No video? Read the next page.)
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Discuss:Obedience to God’s laws and principles leads to spiritual and temporal blessings. What experiences have you had to prove this?
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Read:Doctrine and Covenants 130:20–21; statement by Joseph Smith (on the right)
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Practice:Look at the table below. Notice how obedience to specific laws leads to specific blessings. Some examples are provided.
Now, take a few minutes to:
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Write down specific blessings you desire in your job search, self-employment, or education. Use the right column.
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Use the left column to list the laws you can obey to receive those blessings.
Obey
To Receive
Laws or principles
Blessings
The Word of Wisdom (D&C 89)
Better health, great knowledge
Tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:10–12)
Temporal and spiritual blessings, success in our work, protection
Go to work every day on time
Continued employment and ability to create savings
Eat healthily and exercise regularly
You miss less work days due to illness
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Practice:Write two or three specific ways you can increase your obedience to the laws you chose:
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Commit:Commit to doing the following actions during the week. Check the boxes when you complete each task:
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Practice being obedient every day.
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Teach this principle to your family.
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Continue to practice the previous foundation principles.
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Facilitator Tip
Encourage all to make and keep specific commitments and to teach their families.
Obedience Brings Blessings
If you are unable to watch the video, read this script.
What a glorious promise! “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things” [D&C 93:28]. …
My brothers and sisters, the great test of this life is obedience. “We will prove them herewith,” said the Lord, “to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” [Abraham 3:25].
Declared the Savior, “For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world” [D&C 132:5].
No greater example of obedience exists than that of our Savior. Of Him, Paul observed:
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” [Hebrews 5:8–9].
The Savior demonstrated genuine love of God by living the perfect life, by honoring the sacred mission that was His. Never was He haughty. Never was He puffed up with pride. Never was He disloyal. Ever was He humble. Ever was He sincere. Ever was He obedient. …
When faced with the agony of Gethsemane, where He endured such pain that “his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” [Luke 22:44], He exemplified the obedient Son by saying, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” [Luke 22:42].
As the Savior instructed His early Apostles, so He instructs you and me, “Follow thou me” [John 21:22]. Are we willing to obey?
The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments. I quote once again the words of the Lord: “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things” [D&C 93:28].
It is my humble prayer that we may be blessed with the rich rewards promised to the obedient. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.
(Thomas S. Monson, “Obedience Brings Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 89, 92)