Joseph Smith taught that blessings are predicated on laws. However, it's important to remember three related principles: (1) We exercise agency within the context of the gifts we have already received from God. (2) We don't earn blessings; we qualify for them. (3) God provides promised blessings in His time and in His way.
Being More Careful
Lyman Sherman wanted to understand his duty better. The Lord's response was for him to "be more careful" in fulfilling the things he had already promised to do. None of us is perfect, but we can choose to be more careful and thoughtful as we participate in the activities of discipleship.
“There Will I Meet Thee … There Will I Bless Thee”
God instructed Jared and his family where they should travel. He promised to meet them and to bless them at the places He was leading them. He doesn't always meet our needs by coming to us. Sometimes He leads us to a place where our needs can be met.
Fulfill vs. Destroy
Jesus didn't come to destroy the law; He came to fulfill it. He said that the law, His covenants, and all prophecies will be completely fulfilled. As His disciples, we need to emulate that conscientiousness as we strive to fulfill His law with His help.
The Straitness of the Path
One reason Jesus was baptized, according to Nephi, was to show us "the straitness of the path." We strive for precision as we administer gospel ordinances partly as a symbol of our desire to align ourselves precisely with God's law.
Earning vs. Qualifying
God has promised us blessings which we can't earn, and He teaches us what actions we need to take in order to receive those blessings. Those actions qualify us to receive blessings which are only available through the merits and grace of Jesus Christ.
“If Ye Love Me…”
When we love God, we want to follow His guidance. Obedience without love is not sustainable, but the good news is that as we keep God's commandments, our love for Him grows. This piece by Thomas Tallis is based on the words of Jesus at the Last Supper.
How Did Jesus Fulfill the Law?
Jesus fulfilled the law in three ways: (1) by completing His mission, rendering the religious observances of the law of Moses obsolete, (2) by fulfilling scriptural prophecies, and (3) by clarifying the meaning and purpose of God's commandments.
Neither to the Right Hand nor to the Left
As Moses prepared his people to enter the promised land, he warned them multiple times not to turn "to the right hand or the left," but to stay focused on keeping God's commandments (Deuteronomy 5:32, 17:11, 20, 28:14). After Moses' departure, the Lord reiterated this charge to Joshua, who extended it again to the Israelites... Continue Reading →
“Them That Honour Me I Will Honour”
God loves all of His children, but that doesn't mean He is pleased with all of our decisions. Does He love us when we do wrong? Yes, more than we can imagine. He values us. He sees our potential, and He wants to help us achieve it. But He does not condone our wrong choices,... Continue Reading →