Obedience: The First Law of Heaven

[ajax]

https://generalauthority.wordpress.com/ ... of-heaven/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some time ago I was invited to speak at a Stake Conference at which I was presiding, and decided to address a most pressing topic that has been plaguing our dearest Latter-day Saints—even God’s chosen people. For the benefit of all, here is a copy of my remarks:

My dearest brothers and sisters,

How grateful, humble, and meek I feel to address this immeasurable throng assembled here today. Not a single seat is empty within this vast stake center. The house is full, as are our hearts on this glorious and blessed day.

I should like to address a topic of utmost importance. It is a terrible misinterpretation which has been plaguing our people for some time and causing many saints to stumble. This problem involves a grave misunderstanding of our doctrine, one that originates from the adversary himself to lead the children of men astray from the paths of righteousness. I first became aware of this problem some time ago whilst attending a ward Sunday School lesson. A well-intentioned but sadly misinformed teacher stood at the front of the room and blatantly taught a false and misleading doctrine. She said, in effect, that “love is the first law of heaven.” She even attempted to justify this false teaching by quoting from the words of Jesus:

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law…” (Matthew 22:37-40)

I was shocked and immediately stood to correct the teacher. (Being the presiding authority, it was my duty to correct false doctrine.) I kindly declared:

“Dearest sister, lest a false doctrine be sown into the hearts of these innocent ward members and grow and fester into a flawed belief, I feel I must correct you. You must not take offense, for the Book of Mormon clearly teaches us that only the wicked take the truth to be hard (1 Nephi 16:2-3). You have stated that love is the first law of heaven, but this is not so. We know from modern-day revelation that obedience is actually the first law of heaven.”

I then turned to the most recent copy of the Conference edition of the Ensign, which I always keep close at hand as a beacon of light to guide my actions, and read aloud from our beloved prophet’s talk entitled “Obedience Brings Blessings”:

“Obedience is the first law of heaven.” (see https://www.lds.org/general-conference/ ... -blessings" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

The sister asked how this could be so, especially in light of the scripture that she had quoted (which purported to contain the words of Jesus). I answered her question with a few questions in return:

“Dearest sister, do you not believe that it is more important to follow a living prophet than a dead one? What is the purpose of continuing revelation if not to give us greater light and wisdom for our time? A true and living prophet who walks the earth today has taught in General Conference that obedience is the first law of heaven. Let us not be deceived. According to our Articles of Faith, we can only believe the Bible as far as it is translated correctly. Many errors have been introduced into the Bible by conspiring men. This is why we must follow the living prophet in order to know the truth. Do you think that God would contradict Himself? Of course not.”

For emphasis, I explained to the class members that the correlated doctrine in our lesson manual further validates this truth. I turned to my copy of the official Gospel Doctrines manual and read aloud this confirming statement made therein: “Obedience is the first law of heaven.” (see https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrines-of ... -of-heaven" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

I then closed by teaching the class members this crucial lesson: “My dearest members, we know that temple ordinances are indispensable for eternal life. Are there any questions in the recommend interview that mention the word love? If love were the first law of heaven, wouldn’t the Lord make this our focus? Instead we are asked if we are obedient to all the rules, laws, and commandments, and to obey all the authorities of the Church. Do we covenant in the temple to love? No, we covenant to obey. And in His Holy House, the Lord undoubtedly has His priorities straight. God requires obedience to all of His divinely-called General Authorities in order for us to obtain recommends and receive the sacred tokens that enable us to receive life eternal. And the Lord has reiterated the vital principle of obedience during Conference through our latter-day prophets as the first law of heaven. Therefore we know with a surety that obedience truly is the first law of heaven.”

After explaining this to the class, I went home from church feeling quite gratified that I was able to correct this false and dangerous doctrine for the members of that Sunday School class. And now I devotedly share this vital lesson with you. Truly, obedience is the first law of heaven. Let us not succumb to the cunning snares of the adversary, who would have us believe that love is the first and greatest law. No, this cannot be. Modern-day revelation assures us that obedience takes precedence. Is it wrong, then, to love? It certainly can be. While we should claim love for all people, we cannot allow our love to overrule our obedience, lest we succumb to the societal trend of “tolerance” and begin promoting sin in all its pernicious forms. And surely one of the gravest of these sins is to place the principle of love above absolute obedience to the the Lord’s chosen mouthpieces upon the earth.

I close by quoting from the inspired words of Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, who further confirmed the supremacy of obedience: “Obedience is the first law of heaven, the cornerstone upon which all righteousness and progression rest. It consists in compliance with divine law, in conformity to the mind and will of Deity, in complete subjection to God and his commands” (Mormon Doctrine, 539). May we ever be compliant, conforming, and in a state of absolute and complete subjection to the laws of our inspired prophets, seers, and revelators. May we ever keep uppermost in our minds our temple covenants and the inspired temple recommend interview questions that permit us to enter therein. May we ever be obedient to “all the rules, laws, and commandments,” including sustaining all the General Authorities, shunning “any individual whose practices are contrary to those accepted by the Church,” paying a full tithe, abstaining from the evils of harmful substances including coffee and tea, and being “worthy in every way,” that we might one day merit the great blessings of eternal life in the great mansions above reserved only for the faithful and obedient, I pray humbly, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.

[TannerG]

This was really scaring me before I realized it was satire. I was thinking about this in church today. Is pure obedience really a virtue? Or must it be tempered by other virtues in order to truly be virtuous. The Nazis were obedient, but their obedience carried out the work of evil.

[braingrunt]

Yeah, I went searching for this Delaney guy, couldn't discover that he is, or ever was a general authority.

He sounded pretty full of himself, and the scenario sounds goofy and staged; and those were just a couple of things that made me doubt this guy.

That aside, obedience to God/truth, is at the very top of our priorities; and the top of God's commands is to love him and fellow men.

And, Ajax, dude... :-\

[WikiUp]

I propose the first law of Heaven is Agency. Without agency we cease to exist. See D&C 93:30

"All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence."


I don't know where obedience ranks.

Satan wanted obedience to be the first law on earth.

[BrotherOfMahonri]

The affect is working just as it should. So tempted to send to my in laws out on their mission, as they would love this blog, but they and many are too innocent and guileless to do something that cruel - love is more powerful and persuasive than satire IMHO.

[braingrunt]

Yeah, did some more research and found a bunch of exmos and noms congratulating each other on the blog.

It's pretty hateful and dumb stuff and I'm sorry to see you bring it here. Laying snares.

[ajax]

Well, it is satire, and admittedly so, some won't take to that type of humor - I find this especially among long faced religionists. I learned early that being able to laugh at self is a healthy thing.

Satire is based on an underlying reality. The reality here is that - "Obedience is the First Law of Heaven" is taught in Church and is in our manuals. I don't agree with it. I rather think it is the first law of institutional religion, not necessarily heaven.

I don't know how this is a snare, in that I desire to trap some poor animal so I may eat him for dinner. Okay, so Elder Delaney is not a real GA, but his content is all too common rhetoric among the real rank n file.

General advice in regards to sharing satire:

1-Share satire with people you know will get a kick out of it.
2-Don't share it with the grumpy pious.
3-Ignore point 2 and share it anyway. Everyone needs good medicine now and again.
4-Post on an internet forum and enjoy the show.

In the name of all the holy fathers of satire, even so, Amen.

[braingrunt]

It's a snare in the sense that you hope some simple soul won't notice the disconnect from reality, and will display their folly. Or won't notice the disconnect from reality (whether they know it's satire or not), and despise the strawman as though it's the real thing.

Either way the exmos and noms get their laughs at someone else's expense. Perhaps this is not your intention, but the exmos and noms have admitted it is theirs. And it's not christlike.

[Obrien]

This was really scaring me before I realized it was satire. I was thinking about this in church today. Is pure obedience really a virtue? Or must it be tempered by other virtues in order to truly be virtuous. The Nazis were obedient, but their obedience carried out the work of evil.

Satire? This is satire? It sounds like Conference to me...

[Obrien]

It's a snare in the sense that you hope some simple soul won't notice the disconnect from reality, and will display their folly. Or won't notice the disconnect from reality (whether they know it's satire or not), and despise the strawman as though it's the real thing.

Either way the exmos and noms get their laughs at someone else's expense. Perhaps this is not your intention, but the exmos and noms have admitted it is theirs. And it's not christlike.

It's not Christ-like to be a pompous arse, either.

[ajax]

It's a snare in the sense that you hope some simple soul won't notice the disconnect from reality, and will display their folly. Or won't notice the disconnect from reality (whether they know it's satire or not), and despise the strawman as though it's the real thing.

How do you know my "hopes"? I don't pretend to know others intentions. And since these "simple souls", as you put it (I don't pretend to know that either), now know this is satirical, they really have no excuse to not educate themselves to know what that means.

Either way the exmos and noms get their laughs at someone else's expense. Perhaps this is not your intention, but the exmos and noms have admitted it is theirs.

The opinions of exmos and noms are no concern of mine. I never think about them.

[ajax]

This was really scaring me before I realized it was satire. I was thinking about this in church today. Is pure obedience really a virtue? Or must it be tempered by other virtues in order to truly be virtuous. The Nazis were obedient, but their obedience carried out the work of evil.

Satire? This is satire? It sounds like Conference to me...

Good satire hits close to home eh?

[ajax]

It's not Christ-like to be a pompous arse, either.

No worries. Those are my favorite kinds of arse's.

[Thinker]

Were discussing this before...

I don't believe following imperfect people is in any way equal to following laws based on genuine truth.
And having other gods before God is basically disobeying what one's soul genuinely wants. This is the greatest challenge - to not contradict what it is we really want most in the big eternal picture.

The terms "obey" & "obedience" may have a negative connotation - as if one must submit to whatever is asked - even eat dirt.
But if it is considered in terms of, (ie) a wise and knowledgeable doctor, it would be empowering to obey sound medical advise.
This is why I can see truth in the phrase, "obedience is the first law of heaven."
The challenge is reasonabley and intuitively interpreting cues to obey.

[OnGoing]

Wasn't obedience to laws part of the lesser, preparatory gospel given to the Israelites after they rejected the greater light and the Lord said they would not enter into His rest in the wilderness?

Isn't that why obedience is the first law of the *gospel*, but maybe not of heaven (the celestial kingdom) itself?

I appreciate the satire simply because it makes me think. It makes me pick apart my gut reactions and examine what is being said and why I respond in a certain way. A type of discerning if you will. I've been wrong so many times that I've lost most of my fear of being wrong. Now I just want the truth. Sometimes I get kind of angry, thinking maybe someone knows the truth and is withholding the easy answers from me. Then the Lord reminds me that seeking IS the path. I'm supposed to be seeking Him for all truth. Sunday school is to help us compare notes or, at the very least, present topics - even if it is false doctrine - that get us thinking, questioning and downright pestering Him for answers to our questions. (And I very much believe that the Lord craves our pestering Him for truth!)

I was in one Sunday school class where this brother presented the doctrine that if you follow the prophet no matter what and that prophet leads you into error, you will still be counted as worthy for the celestial kingdom for following that man. The spirit whispered something like "Must you follow man to be saved?" and I felt my thoughts self-shuffle into a clearer understanding. This came because of exposure to false doctrine. I think the Lord can use anything to teach us....even exmo funnies!

[OnGoing]

Were discussing this before...

I don't believe following imperfect people is in any way equal to following laws based on genuine truth.
And having other gods before God is basically disobeying what one's soul genuinely wants. This is the greatest challenge - to not contradict what it is we really want most in the big eternal picture.

The terms "obey" & "obedience" may have a negative connotation - as if one must submit to whatever is asked - even eat dirt.
But if it is considered in terms of, (ie) a wise and knowledgeable doctor, it would be empowering to obey sound medical advise.
This is why I can see truth in the phrase, "obedience is the first law of heaven."
The challenge is reasonabley and intuitively interpreting cues to obey.

I like this answer. Perhaps obedience is the easiest first step to take. We're taught to not kill. We need to be obedient to that while we're learning to love everyone as Christ does. The love doesn't come first, so obedience to true commandments is a really good idea while we are in this telestial sphere learning how to have perfect God-like love. Once perfect love is within us, "obedience" is left behind because our will eventually becomes one with God's and we no longer desire any type of "disobedience" from our one heart and our one mind.

Or so I imagine...

[ajax]

We are conceived in an act of love. The moment we are born we are placed in our mother's arms and loved, fed, nurtured.

"For God so loved the world..."

"We love him, because he first loved us."

We are eager to obey Him and Him alone because of His love.

[Lizzy60]

My earthly father controlled and ruled his children from the basis of fear. I have seen all sorts of dysfunctionality in my siblings (and myself) because we kept trying to earn his love, even as adults. This is not the way that our God wants us to show obedience -- He wants us to feel His deep and amazing love for us, even though we do not merit that love, and we then want to obey Him because nothing, not anything, gives us more joy than giving our will to Him, who has given us everything.

Ajax, I need a thanks button for your comment above!!!

[Bee Prepared]

Obedience is everything, unless of course you receive revelation contrary to what our Prophets and Apostles give us! Right Lizzy?

[Tony]

If one is going to be “obedient, then one will assuredly “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and one is going to “love thy neighbour as thyself.”

In October 1873, President Joseph F. Smith stated, “Obedience is the first law of heaven.”

Joseph F. Smith also said, “Obedience must be voluntary; it must not be forced; there must be no coercion. Men must not be constrained against their will to obey the will of God; they must obey it because they know it to be right, because they desire to do it, and because it is their pleasure to do it. God delights in the willing heart.”

Another prophet, Joseph Fielding Smith, stated, “Should there be any who offend or fail to keep the commandments of the Lord, then it is evidence that they do not love him. We must obey them. We show by our works that we love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ we serve him and love our neighbor as ourself. This is the word of the Lord as it has been revealed in these modern times for the guidance of Israel.”

[Tony]

If one is going to be “obedient," then one will assuredly “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and one is going to “love thy neighbour as thyself.”

In October 1873, President Joseph F. Smith stated, “Obedience is the first law of heaven.”

Let's see what a couple of prophets have said on this subject.

Joseph F. Smith also said, “Obedience must be voluntary; it must not be forced; there must be no coercion. Men must not be constrained against their will to obey the will of God; they must obey it because they know it to be right, because they desire to do it, and because it is their pleasure to do it. God delights in the willing heart.”

Another prophet, Joseph Fielding Smith, stated, “Should there be any who offend or fail to keep the commandments of the Lord, then it is evidence that they do not love him. We must obey them. We show by our works that we love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ we serve him and love our neighbor as ourself. This is the word of the Lord as it has been revealed in these modern times for the guidance of Israel.”

[Lizzy60]

Tony is quoting himself.

[Thinker]

Were discussing this before...

I don't believe following imperfect people is in any way equal to following laws based on genuine truth.
And having other gods before God is basically disobeying what one's soul genuinely wants. This is the greatest challenge - to not contradict what it is we really want most in the big eternal picture.

The terms "obey" & "obedience" may have a negative connotation - as if one must submit to whatever is asked - even eat dirt.
But if it is considered in terms of, (ie) a wise and knowledgeable doctor, it would be empowering to obey sound medical advise.
This is why I can see truth in the phrase, "obedience is the first law of heaven."
The challenge is reasonabley and intuitively interpreting cues to obey.

I like this answer. Perhaps obedience is the easiest first step to take. We're taught to not kill. We need to be obedient to that while we're learning to love everyone as Christ does. The love doesn't come first, so obedience to true commandments is a really good idea while we are in this telestial sphere learning how to have perfect God-like love. Once perfect love is within us, "obedience" is left behind because our will eventually becomes one with God's and we no longer desire any type of "disobedience" from our one heart and our one mind.

Or so I imagine...

Thanks.
I imagine the law of obedience is intertwined with the highest commandment to love and the idea that charity (pure love) never fails.
Of course, in the short term, we screw up, but that's how we learn, by trial and error - active faith. Maybe the key is to keep trying.

[braingrunt]

Obedience to law is central to optimally living wherever that law is in effect. This is true of both God and man, and is perhaps the most fundamental fact of life. We pick a law we are compatible with or we die.

The top of celestial law is love, however, as pertains to us obedience of the law of love comes first.

[Desert Roses]

I hate not having the thumbs up "thank you"! Thank you, Tony--you hit it on the head. I can't love without obeying the commandment to love.