Elder Robert D. Hales spoke on showing love for Jesus Christ by keeping his commandments.
“Be careful who you follow,” warned Elder Hales.
Elder Hales said Christ taught in simple language that is easy to understand when he said,”If we love me, keep my commandments,” and “Come, follow me.”
He talked about “natural man obedience” and “”selective obedience.”
“Some obey selectively because they cannot perceive all the reasons for a commandment, just as children do not always understand the reasons for their parent’s rules,” said Elder Hales.
Elder Hales went on to explain the essential role of agency in obedience. Christ made his own choice to endure to the end and complete His atoning sacrifice, despite his ability to call down legions of angels and free himself of the cross, he said.
Elder Hales said the most mature obedience is “the Savior’s obedience.” He said that this obedience is motivated by true love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
“Why do any of us choose to be disobedient when we know the eternal consequence for sin,” he asked.
Elder Hales quoted the scriptures to answer this question saying Cain and other children of Adam and Eve disobeyed because they loved Satan more than God.
He talked about the commandment “thou shalt not kill.” He said that the same law applies to all of God’s children, even the unborn.
“To rationalize disobedience does not change spiritual law or its consequences but leads to confusion, instability, wandering in strange paths, and grief,” said Elder Hales.
Examples of obedience from the scriptures that Elder Hales mentioned were Joseph Smith and Martin Harris, and Moses. Joseph Smith lost the ability to translate the Book of Mormon for a time because of his disobedience in letting Martin Harris take the first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon. While Moses was blessed for taking an Ethiopian wife as commanded by God.
“May we love Him so deeply and believe in Him so completely that we too obey, keep His commandments, and return to live with Him forever in the the Kingdom of our God.”
