Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2025
Lesson No. Five

Obedience is the First Law of the Gospel and Our Work in Mortality - D&C 11

Introduction: In 1829 some of the early brethren wanted to know what they could do to assist in the Lord’s latter day work. In answer Joseph Smith received several revelations including one for his father, Joseph Smith Sr. recorded in D&C 4 and one for his brother Hyrum recorded in D&C 11. In the revelation to Hyrum, he was told four times to be obedient and “keep my commandments.”

- “Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion” (Vs 6).

- “Say nothing but repentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed” (Vs 9).

- “Keep my commandments; hold your peace; appeal unto my Spirit” (Vs 18).

- Then with great emphasis the Lord told Hyrum: “Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind, and strength” (D&C 11:20).

- The Lord concluded this revelation by applying it to all who have desires to serve: “Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap” (D&C 11:27). In the first verse of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord commands all people to “Hearken” which means to listen and obey. (See D&C 1:1)

Our work in mortality is to grow in faith in Jesus Christ and to learn obedience to God. The first principle of the Gospel is “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Articles of Faith 1:4); The first law of the Gospel is “Obedience” (See Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website, About the Temple Endowment).

Willing obedience is the gate to all blessings: “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” (D&C 130:20-21).

Obedience is the path to all Christ-like qualities including “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God…Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence” (D&C 4:3-6).

Obedience brings spiritual power – President Ezra Taft Benson taught a profound doctrine when he said: “When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power” (“Obedience – Life’s Great Challenge,” Ensign, May 1998, p. 82). Spiritual power is a great need in this life, and it is only available through willing obedience.

Obedience and repentance are closely related. While in mortality spiritual growth includes experiencing the consequences of sin which, hopefully, brings a desire to repent and be obedient. The process of obedience/repentance brings joy in this life and eternal life in the world to come.

Obedience and sacrifice are closely related. The Lord said, “ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:20). The Lord uses the word “broken” to mean “obedient”. When we say that a horse is broken what we mean is that it is obedient. Willing obedience is the sacrifice the Lord asks of us.

The Lord will never compel obedience: Willing obedience is the only real sacrifice that we have to give because it is the only thing we have to offer the Lord that is not already his. He will never compromise our agency by forcing obedience, but willing obedience is the thing he desires most from us.

The Lord may help us chose obedience by compelling us to be humble: “for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved” (Alma 32:13, see also vs 12-16). President Ezra Taft Benson further explained: “God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble” (Beware of Pride, General Conference, April 1989).

The Lord promises eternal life to the obedient – “But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness (obedience) shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23).

Testimony – Willing obedience is not only the best way, but it is also the easiest way. Most of us have experienced the reality of the Lord’s invitation and promise when he said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Released on February 1st. 2025.