Obedience is a principle of discipline, choice, and trust. Though rules are sometimes seen as oppressive or restrictive, God’s commandments are intended to free us. When we obey Him, we are freed from the negative consequences of sin—in this life and throughout eternity. We are also enabled to reach our greatest potential, having developed diligence and character that we otherwise would have lacked. God gives us commandments for our safety, happiness, and growth.
We are not compelled to obey. In fact, God’s plan for us depends on our agency, or ability to choose freely for ourselves. Because our agency is the one thing that cannot be taken away from us, submitting our will to God through obedience is the greatest gift we can offer Him. We also do not obey blindly; rather, we seek to know God by learning as much as we can about Him and communicating with Him. Once we receive a testimony of His reality and love for us, it becomes much easier to trust and follow Him, even if we do not always understand all the reasons for all of His commandments.
Obedience requires faith. Sometimes, we begin being obedient to a principle simply because we love and trust God; then, as we grow in knowledge and experience the blessings of our obedience, we gain a better understanding of the principle.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that one of the purposes of mortal life is to learn to obey the commandments of God. Therefore, Brigham Young University strives to create an atmosphere where students and faculty can live righteously and learn to be obedient. These devotional addresses teach the purpose and blessings of obedience, as well as the pitfalls of disobedience. They testify that submitting to the will of God frees us, for He has a much higher vision of our potential than we do.
