Living by Every Word that Proceeds From the Mouth of the Lord

Sister Prusso  taught lesson 18 from the life of Joseph Fielding Smith  today.
“The supreme act of worship is to keep the commandments, to follow in the footsteps of the Son of God, to do ever those things that please him.”  The only way to achieve exaltation is to keep the laws of the Lord, keep the commandments. As a great Primary song says, "in this there is safety, in this, there is peace." I don't know of many people who would willingly choose to not have personal peace or of course, "I want world peace," but actually, by our wilful choice to disobey our heavenly Father, we are making that kind of choice.
Sister Prusso related the story of Pres. Smith spoke in a stake conference about the Word of Wisdom. When he left, a man approached him to comment on how much he liked the talk.

“‘Brother Smith, that is the first discourse on the Word of Wisdom that I ever liked.’

“I said: ‘Haven’t you heard other discourses on the Word of Wisdom?’

“He said: ‘Yes, but this is the first one that I ever enjoyed.’

“I said: ‘How is that?’

“He said: ‘Well, you see, I am keeping the Word of Wisdom now.’ after the meeting was over, a man approached him to comment on how much he liked the talk. "

Since none of us are perfect, we can probably relate to the fact that the man had felt a sense of guilt in not doing what he knew our Father wants. We are subject to laws and consequences of our choices all our life. 

“All kingdoms have a law given;

“And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.

“And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.

“All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified.” (D&C 88:36–39) I think that is fairly clear. These laws are found in the gospel teachings. " Due to lack of inspiration and spiritual guidance, men may differ in relation to these laws and their application, but there can hardly be a dispute in regard to the fact that such laws do exist, and that all who seek entrance into that kingdom are subject to them." Yes, the Lord follows rules and wants the best for us which is why He keeps giving us instruction. Don't parents always keep trying to teach and help their children? He has given us all we need to do to return to dwell with him in the highest degree of glory with Him.

When we do keep the commandments, it is a show of love and respect for Him. I think we can probably think of a time when we did something just the way a parent wanted and recall the praise that followed. We felt great love and joy in honoring our parent.

Jesus went even further in that He gave his life for us! He drank of the cup so that he could pay the price of our sins. How can we revere Him? Keep the commandments. Are we going to be perfect in that goal at all times? Of course not. It is of utmost importance that we continue to strive to be better each day. If we walk in the light, we will be blessed.  "It is necessary for us to walk in the full light of the truth, not in part of the truth only. I haven’t the privilege of discarding some of the principles of the gospel and believing others, and then feel that I am entitled to the full blessings of salvation and exaltation in the kingdom of God. If we want exaltation, if we want the place which the Lord has prepared for those who are just and true, then we must be willing to walk in the full light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and keep all the commandments. We cannot say that some of them are small and insignificant and therefore the Lord will not care if we violate them. We are commanded to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Yes, the Lord expects us to live the gospel, show him our love and to keep ALL the commandments.

As we are persistent in our efforts, we shall grow as did Jesus, line upon line, precept upon precept.

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:48.]

… I believe the Lord meant just what He said, that we should be perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect. That will not come all at once, but line upon line and precept upon precept, example upon example, and even then not as long as we live in this mortal life, for we will have to go even beyond the grave before we reach that perfection and shall be like God.

But here we lay the foundation. Here is where we are taught these simple truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in this probationary state, to prepare us for that perfection. It is my duty, it is yours, to be better today than I was yesterday, and for you to be better today than you were yesterday, and better tomorrow than you were today. Why? Because we are on that road, if we are keeping the commandments of the Lord, we are on that road to perfection, and that can only come through obedience and the desire in our hearts to overcome the world. …"

Everything the Lord has given us in the way of laws and guidance is for our own safety and edification and joy. He guides us so that we may become better and worthy of salvation. Nothing is done strictly for God's own pleasure. It should not be difficult to trust in the Lord if we truly know these things.

In closing, President Smith states, "I testify that the Lord has spoken in our day; that his message is one of hope and joy and salvation; and I promise you that if you will walk in the light of heaven, be true to your trust, and keep the commandments, you shall have peace and joy in this life and eternal life in the world to come." Who would turn down being worthy of receiving blessings beyond their "fondest dreams?" I hope we don't.

Your bloggess,

Janice