The Ten Commandments

"Men and women receive their agency as a gift from God, but their liberty and, in turn, their eternal happiness come from obedience to His laws."

"One way to measure ourselves and compare us to previous generations is by one of the oldest standards known to man—the Ten Commandments. For much of the civilized world, particularly the Judeo-Christian world, the Ten Commandments have been the most accepted and enduring delineation between good and evil.

In my judgment, four of the Ten Commandments are taken as seriously today as ever. As a culture, we disdain and condemn murder, stealing, and lying, and we still believe in the responsibility of children to their parents.

But as a larger society, we routinely dismiss the other six commandments:

•  If worldly priorities are any indication, we certainly have “other gods” we put before the true God.
  
• We make idols of celebrities, of lifestyles, of wealth, and yes, sometimes of graven images or objects.
  
• We use the name of God in all kinds of profane ways, including our exclamations and our swearing.
  
• We use the Sabbath day for our biggest games, our most serious recreation, our heaviest shopping, and virtually everything else but worship.
  
• We treat sexual relations outside marriage as recreation and entertainment.
  
• And coveting has become a far too common way of life. (See Exodus 20:3–17.)

Elder L. Tom Perry 

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 

Romans 6:1

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 

I know that obedience to the ten commandments gives us a foundation upon which to build our lives.  In an increasing dark world may we look the Savior, Jesus Christ and LIVE.  His voice is always calling us to Come Unto Him.  Even though it is very challenging to always be obedient it is worth it. If we love God, we will keep His commandments.  I know that when I keep the commandments and strive to live righteously I am blessed beyond measure.  I fall short often but am so thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ which allows me to repent and get up and try again. I am indebted to our loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ for all they do for me each day.  I am so grateful for their word and its guiding light in my life.  It is the only constant amid everything else always changing.

~ C. J. Poulsen