However, it is true that one of the ways Mormonism can be distinguished from the Protestant denominations that surround us is our emphasis on keeping commandments. The Mormon conception of life is inextricably bound up with the concepts of obedience, commandments, law and discipline. We frequently quote D&C 130:20-21 to each other. President Uchtdorf begins the core of his talk at the last Women’s Conference with some phrases from D&C 132—
““Except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.
“For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation. …“
… Receive ye, therefore, my law.”
Given these facts, is there any way in which Lehi’s distinction between the law and the atonement makes itself felt in our spiritual life today? Does a normal faithful Mormon experience anything that Lehi’s words about the law (in verse 5 and verse 10) might illuminate? Let’s begin by taking a closer look at President Uchtdorf’s talk.
It is true that to attain Celestial Glory we must learn to “abide” God’s law. But President Uchtdorf makes a careful distinction between two very different approaches to keeping commandments — two different ways of seeing them, if you will.
The first approach is characterized by an attitude of alienation from God:
“…we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has set up.”
Obedience is not easy or pleasant in such a condition:
“….for some of us, obedience to God’s commandments doesn’t always feel very joyful. Let’s face it: there may be some that seem harder or less appealing—commandments that we approach with the enthusiasm of a child sitting before a plate of healthy but hated vegetables. We grit our teeth and force ourselves to comply so that we can move on to more desirable activities.”
Our attitude towards the law is very impersonal. They are “good ideas,” “life hacks,” “motivational quotes.” We may even find ourselves questioning–“Do we really need to obey all of God’s commandments?”
Obedience in such a condition of alienation often feels like just going through the motions, “we treat God’s commandments and our part in building His kingdom like something to check off on a to-do list.”
The second approach to obedience is described as “living the gospel joyfully, with all our heart, might, mind and soul.” In this second condition we “embrace” and “cherish” the commandments, because our attitude towards God is not one of alienation. We see that he is “constantly raining blessings upon us.” And that it is only “our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us. His commandments are the loving instructions and the divine help for us to close the umbrella so we can receive the shower of heavenly blessings.”
So how do we move from the first condition to the second?
“The Creator of the seas, sands, and endless stars is reaching out to you this very day! He is offering the grand recipe for happiness, peace, and eternal life!”
“To qualify for these glorious blessings, you must humble yourself, exercise faith, take upon you the name of Christ, seek Him in word and deed, and resolutely ‘stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.’”
By choosing to trust God, to “truly believe,” to “believe in your hearts” in God’s wisdom and love, by choosing to “walk the path of discipleship” you move from the realm of abstract keeping of laws and principles into a personal relationship with the Son of God based upon the atonement. And this relationship, this personal discipleship changes everything—
“Walking in the path of discipleship does not need to be a bitter experience. It “is sweet above all that is sweet.” It is not a burden that weighs us down. Discipleship lifts our spirits and lightens our hearts. It inspires us with faith, hope, and charity. It fills our spirits with light in times of darkness, and serenity during times of sorrow.”
“It gives us divine power and lasting joy.”
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