Since the beginning of time God has called upon His children to be obedient to His commands. While many have seen incorrectly some kind of draconian pattern to God’s commandments for His children, as if a list of punishments were defined for the breaking of each law, more correctly seen, the laws of God have been set in place not to punish but to bless the lives of man. It is for us the law is given that we might be guided to do right and inherit all of the blessings set out for the children of God to receive, even a full measure inheritance of all the Father hath.

There have been many decide on disobedience without repentance and thus denying themselves the full blessings of God. Nevertheless He stands ready to bless, willing to give the gift of mortality and opportunity in life to live the abundant life, even in advance of our mortal obedience. Life in and of itself is a gift, the gift to breathe, and to smell, and to taste, and to drink and to feel the warmth of the sun that God has placed in the heavens for blessed life. It is a joy to live and to progress that we might receive greater blessings, and ultimately the blessing of His presence.

In the age of Noah there were many who were disobedient, leading to lives of sorrow and depravity. God gave early man laws that they might learn and understand the source of real joy, but it was squandered on short term and selfish satisfaction, jeopardizing the future of all God’s children. So, God commanded Noah to build an ark. This was not an easy command to fulfill. It took faith and willingness to obey. Noah and his wife, their three sons, and their wives, were faithful and obedient to God’s command. Their obedience brought life, blessed their entire posterity, and all the animals of the world, two by two, for which we are all continuously blessed.

What has been by many seen as God’s wrath with His children, is more a restoration or rebirth, a new beginning, or opportunity, that man might begin again and enjoy the blessings offered him without the unatoned burdens of the past. Yes, justice must be served, but with an equal measure of mercy the Savior has provided opportunities for the sons and daughters of God to be redeemed, with repentance forgiven of past indiscretion, and made free again to enjoy the blessings of Heaven. Like the woman fallen in adultery, Jesus did not condemn her, but invited her “Go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). And from that hour what we know of the woman is that she glorified God and believed, made free again to repent, be obedient, and enjoy the blessings of heaven. The blessings of her obedience were unlocked by repentance and faithfulness.

We read, “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21).

God is a God of order. There is a purpose and harmonious order to all things, as in nature, the creation of God’s hand. Not always understood by humankind, nevertheless there is order that holds the earth in its perfect orbit of the sun, and the stars in their place, that the great purposes of God may be fulfilled. His plan to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39) is at the center of His purposes. Disobedience to God’s plan frustrates this great purpose for us, and therefore obedience to God’s commandments, and repentance, preserves and restores the blessings Heavenly Father desires for His children. For this great cause, satisfying justice and mercy, Jesus Christ descended below all things, taking upon Himself the sins and infirmities of us all, suffered and died, that we might live in God’s light, full inheritors of His blessings, bringing glory to Him, our Father and Creator.

“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).

Yes, we must obey God’s commandments, His laws, for our good and progression. He blesses us with His words and laws that we might be freely guided back to Heaven through lives of joy, while enduring all we must in following our Savior, and trying to be like Him. Our God is a God of love. Just as earthly parents make loving rules to guide and protect beloved children, so does Heavenly Father extend His perfect love with law and guidance. Let us obey His law, even as Jesus would invite us so to do, repent, believe, and glorify God, enjoying all of the blessings that our loving Heavenly Father would grant. May we bless the generations to come by following Christ and obediently lighting their way. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.