“Chapter 12: Willing Obedience to the Lord,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Thomas S. Monson (2020)

“Chapter 12,” Teachings: Thomas S. Monson

Chapter 12

Willing Obedience to the Lord

“The great test of this life is obedience.”

From the Life of Thomas S. Monson

When President Thomas S. Monson was a young boy, he and his family spent part of the summer at their cabin in Provo Canyon, Utah. One of his best friends was Danny Larsen, whose family also had a cabin there. Tom and Danny fished, collected rocks, hiked, climbed, and enjoyed other activities together. On one occasion, Tom learned a valuable lesson about obedience. He and Danny wanted to have a campfire in the evening with their friends, and they needed to clear the dry grass from a field. After pulling the grass for some time and not making much progress, Tom had an idea:

“What I thought was the perfect solution came into my eight-year-old mind. I said to Danny, ‘All we need is to set these weeds on fire. We’ll just burn a circle in the weeds!’ He readily agreed, and I ran to our cabin to get a few matches.

“… Danny and I … had been warned repeatedly of the dangers of fire. However, I knew where my family kept the matches, and we needed to clear that field. Without so much as a second thought, I ran to our cabin and grabbed a few matchsticks, making certain no one was watching. I hid them quickly in one of my pockets.

“Back to Danny I ran, excited that in my pocket I had the solution to our problem. I recall thinking that the fire would burn only as far as we wanted and then would somehow magically extinguish itself.

“I struck a match on a rock and set the parched June grass ablaze. It ignited as though it had been drenched in gasoline. At first Danny and I were thrilled as we watched the weeds disappear, but it soon became apparent that the fire was not about to go out on its own. We panicked as we realized there was nothing we could do to stop it. The menacing flames began to follow the wild grass up the mountainside, endangering the pine trees and everything else in their path.

“Finally we had no option but to run for help. Soon all available men and women at Vivian Park were dashing back and forth with wet burlap bags, beating at the flames in an attempt to extinguish them. After several hours the last remaining embers were smothered. The ages-old pine trees had been saved, as were the homes the flames would eventually have reached.”

President Monson observed, “Danny and I learned several difficult but important lessons that day—not the least of which was the importance of obedience.”¹

Tom Monson enjoyed fishing and other outdoor activities. Later he used some of these experiences to illustrate principles of the gospel.

Teachings of Thomas S. Monson

Obedience to God’s commandments is our unfailing guide through mortality.

God’s commandments are not given to frustrate us or to become obstacles to our happiness. Just the opposite is true. He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible. He has provided us with guidelines which, if we follow them, will see us safely through this often treacherous mortal journey. We remember the words of the familiar hymn: “Keep the commandments! In this there is safety; in this there is peace” [“Keep the Commandments,” Hymns, no. 303].

Our Heavenly Father loves us enough to say: Thou shalt not lie; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; and so on [see Exodus 20:1–17; Matthew 22:39]. … He understands that when we keep the commandments, our lives will be happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated. Our challenges and problems will be easier to bear, and we will receive His promised blessings. But while He gives us laws and commandments, He also allows us to choose whether to accept them or to reject them. Our decisions in this regard will determine our destiny.²

Throughout the ages, men and women have sought for knowledge and understanding concerning this mortal existence and their place and purpose in it, as well as for the way to peace and happiness. Such a search is undertaken by each of us.

This knowledge and understanding are available to all mankind. They are contained in truths which are eternal. … In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, in May of 1833, the Lord declared:

“Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. …

“The Spirit of truth is of God. …

“And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.

“He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things” [Doctrine and Covenants 93:24, 26–28].

What a glorious promise! “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”

There is no need for you or for me, in this enlightened age when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth. A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide—even obedience. A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God. …

There are rules and laws to help ensure our physical safety. Likewise, the Lord has provided guidelines and commandments to help ensure our spiritual safety so that we might … return eventually to our Heavenly Father.³

Prophets have set examples of obedience for us to follow.

Learning of others who trusted God and followed His teachings whispers to our souls, “Be still, and know that I am God” [Psalm 46:10]. As they resolutely kept His commandments and trusted in Him, they were blessed. When we follow their examples, we too will be similarly blessed in our day. Each one becomes a model to follow. …

“A just man and perfect in his generations,” one who “walked with God” [Genesis 6:9], was the prophet Noah. … Noah heeded God’s command to build an ark that he and his family might be spared destruction. He followed God’s instructions to gather into the ark two or more of every living creature that they also might be saved from the floodwaters. …

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught in general conference more than half a century ago: “As yet there was no evidence of rain and flood. … [Noah’s] warnings were considered irrational. … How foolish to build an ark on dry ground with the sun shining and life moving forward as usual! But time ran out. … The floods came. The disobedient … were drowned. The miracle of the ark followed the faith manifested in its building” [in Conference Report, Oct. 1952, 48].

Noah had the unwavering faith to follow God’s commandments. May we ever do likewise. May we remember that the wisdom of God ofttimes appears as foolishness to men; but the greatest lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and we obey, we will always be right.⁴

All prophets, ancient and modern, have known that obedience is essential to our salvation. … A soul-stirring account of obedience is that of Abraham and Isaac. How painfully difficult it must have been for Abraham, in obedience to God’s command, to take his beloved Isaac into the land of Moriah to offer him as a sacrifice. Can we imagine the heaviness of Abraham’s heart as he journeyed to the appointed place? Surely anguish must have racked his body and tortured his mind as he bound Isaac, laid him on the altar, and took the knife to slay him. With unwavering faith and implicit trust in the Lord, he responded to the Lord’s command. How glorious was the pronouncement, and with what wondered welcome did it come: “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me” [Genesis 22:12].

Abraham had been tried and tested, and for his faithfulness and obedience the Lord gave him this glorious promise: “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice” [Genesis 22:18].

Although we are not asked to prove our obedience in such a dramatic and heart-wrenching way, obedience is required of us as well.

Declared President Joseph F. Smith in October 1873, “Obedience is the first law of heaven” [“Discourse,” Deseret News, Nov. 12, 1873, 644].

Said President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of … God” [“If Ye Be Willing and Obedient,” Ensign, Dec. 1971, 125].⁵

Obedience is a hallmark of prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages. It is essential for us to realize that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge. It is readily available to each of us today as we obey God’s commandments.⁶

We obtain knowledge, answers, and strength when we obey the Lord’s commandments.

Throughout the years, I have known countless individuals who have been particularly faithful and obedient. I have been blessed and inspired by them. May I share with you an account of two such individuals.

Walter Krause was a steadfast member of the Church who, with his family, lived in [the German Democratic Republic] following the Second World War. Despite the hardships he faced because of the lack of freedom in that area of the world at the time, Brother Krause was a man who loved and served the Lord. He faithfully and conscientiously fulfilled each assignment given to him.

The other man, Johann Denndorfer, a native of Hungary, was converted to the Church in Germany and was baptized there in 1911 at the age of 17. Not too long afterward he returned to Hungary. Following the Second World War, he found himself virtually a prisoner in his native land, in the city of Debrecen. Freedom had also been taken from the people of Hungary.

Brother Walter Krause, who did not know Brother Denndorfer, received the assignment to be his home teacher and to visit him on a regular basis. Brother Krause called his home teaching companion and said to him, “We have received an assignment to visit Brother Johann Denndorfer. Would you be available to go with me this week to see him and give him a gospel message?” And then he added, “Brother Denndorfer lives in Hungary.”

His startled companion asked, “When will we leave?”

“Tomorrow,” came the reply from Brother Krause.

“When will we return home?” asked the companion.

Brother Krause responded, “Oh, in about a week—if we get back.”

Away the two home teaching companions went to visit Brother Denndorfer, traveling by train and bus from the northeastern area of Germany to Debrecen, Hungary—a substantial journey. Brother Denndorfer had not had home teachers since before the war. Now, when he saw these servants of the Lord, he was overwhelmed with gratitude that they had come. At first he declined to shake hands with them. Rather, he went to his bedroom and took from a small cabinet a box containing his tithing that he had saved for years. He presented the tithing to his home teachers and said, “Now I am current with the Lord. Now I feel worthy to shake the hands of servants of the Lord!” Brother Krause told me later that he had been touched beyond words to think that this faithful brother, who had no contact with the Church for many years, had obediently and consistently taken from his meager earnings 10 percent with which to pay his tithing. He had saved it not knowing when or if he might have the privilege of paying it.

Brother Walter Krause … served faithfully and obediently throughout his life and was an inspiration to me and to all who knew him. When asked to fulfill assignments, he never questioned, he never murmured, and he never made excuses.

Left to right: Gary Schwendiman, Elder Monson, Walter and Edith Krause, Gottfried and Gertraude Richter, and Henry and Inge Burkhardt

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” [Doctrine and Covenants 132:5].⁷

It takes a spirit of obedience if we want to qualify for blessings today. It isn’t enough simply to say, “Tomorrow I am going to do better.” The Lord expects us to do better today. … I would hope that every one of us would have a tradition of obedience in his life, in her life, because all of the blessings of God are predicated upon obedience to the commandments. As we live the commandments, we shall find the answers to our prayers and receive direction in our lives.⁸

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” [Doctrine and Covenants 93:28].⁹

Our Savior is the greatest example of obedience and beckons us to follow Him.

We have been provided with a perfect example to follow—even the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—and we have been instructed to follow that example. Said the Savior Himself: “Come, follow me” [Luke 18:22]. “The works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do” [3 Nephi 27:21]. He posed the question, “What manner of men ought ye to be?” And then He answered, “Verily I say unto you, even as I am” [3 Nephi 27:27]. “He marked the path and led the way” [“How Great the Wisdom and the Love,” Hymns, no. 195].

As we look to Jesus as our Exemplar and as we follow in His footsteps, we can return safely to our Heavenly Father to live with Him forever. Said the prophet Nephi, “Unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved” [2 Nephi 31:16]. …

We read in Proverbs the admonition, “Ponder the path of thy feet” [Proverbs 4:26]. As we do, we will have the faith, even the desire, to walk the path which Jesus walked. We will have no doubt that we are on a path which our Father would have us follow. The Savior’s example provides a framework for everything that we do, and His words provide an unfailing guide. His path will take us safely home.¹⁰

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.

Though He was tempted by that master of deceit, even the devil, though He was physically weakened from fasting 40 days and 40 nights and was an hungered, yet when the evil one proffered Jesus the most alluring and tempting proposals, He gave to us a divine example of obedience by refusing to deviate from what He knew was right [see Matthew 4:1–11].

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?¹¹

We, with Jesus, can walk the path of obedience. It will not always be easy, but let our watchword be the heritage bequeathed us by Samuel: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” [1 Samuel 15:22]. Let us remember that the end result of disobedience is captivity and death, while the reward for obedience is liberty and eternal life.¹²

Haven’t we the wisdom to obey him who knows the beginning from the end—our Lord … ? His example points the way. When faced with temptation, he shunned it. When offered the world, he declined it. When asked for his life, he gave it!

“Come, follow me,” the Savior said.
Then let us in his footsteps tread,
For thus alone can we be one
With God’s own loved, begotten Son. …

For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow’rs,
And glory great and bliss are ours,
If we, throughout eternity,
Obey his words, “Come, follow me.” 
(“Come, Follow Me,” Hymns, no. 116.)

Now is our time to make this decision. Let us follow him.¹³

Suggestions for Study and Teaching

Questions

Review the promised blessings we can receive as we obey the commandments (see section 1). In what ways does obeying the commandments keep us safe? How has obedience brought you peace? How has obedience helped you be happier? How has it helped you receive “truth and light”?
What can we learn about obedience from the examples President Monson mentions in section 2? How can we develop a more sure trust in Heavenly Father?
President Monson taught that “the great test of this life is obedience” (section 3). What are your impressions of the examples of Walter Krause and Johann Denndorfer? Reflect on those you have witnessed being obedient in difficult circumstances. How have their examples helped you?
President Monson emphasized the Savior’s example of obedience and His invitation for us to follow Him (see section 4). What are some ways we can more fully accept the Savior’s invitation to follow Him?

Related Scriptures

Joshua 24:14–15; Matthew 7:21; John 7:17; 14:15; 1 Nephi 17:3; 2 Nephi 1:20; Mosiah 2:41; Doctrine and Covenants 130:20–21

Study Help

“Because Jesus Christ was perfectly obedient and submissive to His Father, He ‘increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man’ [Luke 2:52]. Do we have the determination to do likewise? Just as Jesus ‘received grace for grace’ [Doctrine and Covenants 93:12], we must patiently and persistently seek light and knowledge from God in our efforts to learn the gospel” (Thomas S. Monson, “Learn of Me,” Ensign or Liahona, Mar. 2016, 6).