“Lesson 136: Commandments (Part 2),” Old Testament Seminary Student Material (2018)
“Lesson 136: Commandments (Part 2)”
Lesson 136
Commandments (Part 2)
Prepare to Learn
Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remember that studying the gospel prayerfully with a desire to learn will help you to be taught and edified by the Holy Ghost.
Begin your study with prayer.
What is one commandment that you are working on obeying 100 percent of the time?
President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) shared the story of Clayton Christensen, who was faced with a difficult decision when he was a young athlete. How was Clayton’s life blessed because of the choice that he made?
Did this experience change your understanding of “obeying 100 percent of the time”? If so, how?
The Ten Commandments
In what ways are the Ten Commandments relevant today?
In today’s lesson, you will study more about the doctrinal mastery topic “Commandments.”
Read paragraph 9.4 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, looking for why we need the Ten Commandments.
Eternal Principles
Consider marking the following truth in your copy of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document: The Ten Commandments are a vital part of the gospel and are eternal principles that are necessary for our exaltation.
Remember that “eternal life, or exaltation, is to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, where we will live in God’s presence and continue as families (see D&C 131:1–4)” (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference [2004], 52).
Which doctrinal mastery scripture passage contains the Ten Commandments?
Commandments from the Lord
Turn to Exodus 20:3–17, and consider marking this doctrinal mastery passage in a distinctive way so you can locate it more easily.
Remember that after Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he went up on Mount Sinai and received these commandments from the Lord.
Read the list of Ten Commandments and accompanying explanations on LDS.org.
The Two Greatest Commandments
Refer to the first sentence in paragraph 9.2 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, where the two greatest commandments—to love God and to love our neighbor—are mentioned.
1. Please answer the following questions:
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How does obeying the Ten Commandments help us to love God and to love our neighbor?
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Why do you love God? How do your feelings about Heavenly Father inspire your obedience to His commandments?
Obedience to the Laws
Watch the Mormon Messages video “Obedience to the Ten Commandments,” which can be found on LDS.org. This video includes teachings from Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As you watch and listen to Elder Perry, write down some key words that he mentions about the importance of the Ten Commandments.
Watch the Mormon Messages video “Obedience to the Ten Commandments,” which can be found on LDS.org. This video includes teachings from Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As you watch and listen to Elder Perry, write down some key words that he mentions about the importance of the Ten Commandments.
What did Elder Perry teach that helps us understand that the Ten Commandments are a vital part of the gospel and are eternal principles that are necessary for our exaltation?
The Blessings of Obedience
2. For this writing activity, choose one of the Ten Commandments and answer the following questions:
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How is this commandment a vital part of the gospel?
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How can obeying this commandment help us to prepare for exaltation?
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What are some ways you can keep this commandment?
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How has obeying this commandment blessed your life?
The Ten Commandments in the Latter Days
Review paragraph 9.4 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.
The Ten Commandments are eternal principles, and they have been reiterated in latter-day revelations.
The following scripture passages teach the Ten Commandments in latter-day revelations: Mosiah 12:34–37, 13:11–24; Doctrine and Covenants 42:18–29; 59:5–12. Consider recording these passages as cross-references in your scriptures next to the Ten Commandments.
What can we learn about the Ten Commandments from the fact that they are repeated in latter-day revelations?
One Commandment
Reflect on which one of the Ten Commandments you would like to focus on obeying. What can you do to more fully obey that commandment?
Consider writing on a small piece of paper or a digital device you see often the commandment you want to focus on, as well as one thing you plan to do to more fully obey that commandment. You may want to carry this piece of paper or device with you throughout the day as a reminder to focus on keeping that commandment.