By Alice Gifford
The Lord has promised us over and over that if we are
obedient we will be prosperous. Prosperous is usually taken to mean "material
prosperity" but could it also mean to prosper in confidence, faith, peace, hope,
comfort, and strength to endure?
I have always loved the word "valiant". I
believe to be "valiant" we must be "obedient". I also believe we may
still be "valiant" if we make mistakes" ---- if we repent. The Lord needs
"valiant" servants....servants who are obedient to his commandments. Servants
who will strive to bring others into the gospel.
We are taught a great lesson in being obedient to the Lord
and having patience and faith. Obedience brings faith to call upon the Lord through prayer
in times of need for spiritual guidance. Obedience brings spiritual strength to endure,
and confidence to "submit cheerfully and with patience to the will of the Lord".
(Mosiah Chapter 24:l5)
Obedience brings comfort and direction. Alma the Elder
became an obedient servant of the Lord and spent his time teaching his people to love one
another, to have no contention among them, to walk in the ways of God. How it must have
pained his soul to watch his son persecute the church. He had spent years being obedient
and serving the Lord - strengthening his faith. I believe the Lord prepares each of
us through experiences which build our faith, strengthen us to endure, help us gain
patience in our struggles, and to "wax strong" in our confidence in the Lord.
If Alma had not been obedient, would he have felt he could
call upon Heavenly Father in behalf of his son? Would he have felt he could go to king
Mosiah for counsel. Would he have felt the comfort and direction from the Lord when Alma
the Younger was brought before him helpless and weakened and unable to speak? Would he
have had the faith to go to the Lord in fasting and prayer?
How great must have been his sorrow, but then to "
rejoice, for he knew that
it was the power of God." (Mosiah Chapter 27:20) How
full his heart must have been to know that his son had become an "instrument in the
hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of
their Redeemer" (Mosiah Chapter 27:36)
Obedience brings blessings! Obedience brings peace, joy,
strength in the Lord, faith in our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. May each of us be valiant in
our daily lives. Valiant in our efforts to bring others into the gospel. Valiant is our
desire to serve one another. Valiant to overcome!
Our actions and attitudes become evidence of
our faith
Obedience is the first law of heaven, the cornerstone upon
which all righteousness and progression rest. (Bruce R. McConkie" Mormon Doctrine, 2d
ed. pg. 539)
"If we do not obey, the power to obey is lessened. Our
capacity to recognize good is weakened." (Ted E. Brewerton, April 199l Conference
address)
"Through our obedience to gospel principles, the
enticements of the world lessen in our lives. With each right choice we make, we
spiritually empower ourselves. (Rulon G. Craven, April 1996 Conference address)
Read D&C 95:6 How does a person "walk in darkness
at noon day?
S. Michael Wilcox shares the story of walking into the
family room where his children are watching TV. When he turns on the lights, his children
respond, "Turn off the lights Dad, we can't see!"
And Boyd K. Packer said this, "Those who talk of blind
obedience may appear to know many things, but they do not understand the doctrines of the
gospel. There is an obedience that comes from a knowledge of the truth that transcends any
external form of control. We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient
because we can see.
Obedience is the Greatest Gift we can Give to our Heavenly
Father and in return we receive His greatest gift - Eternal Life Ü The Gift of the Holy
Ghost as a constant companion who will guide, testify, lead, correct us when needed,
comfort us, and will show all things unto us.
As we partake of the Sacrament, we promise to keep His
commandments (obedience). In return we were promised that we would have His spirit
to be with us; who will lead us to Eternal Life.
(c) 2000 Alice Gifford, All Rights Reserved
