Obedience

     The last Christlike attribute I would like to talk about is one that we've all heard countless time in our lives. This one is Obedience. I don't know about everyone else but I heard this one constantly growing up, mainly my parents telling me to be obedient. Which I needed to hear.  Today I still hear that term as a missionary and from the Lord through the scriptures which is talked about A LOT! But obedience must be something we need a constant reminder of or else it probably wouldn't be brought up so much.

      Obedience was preached from before the world was created. It is the first law of heaven. The Lord gave Adam and Eve commandments right from the beginning. After they were cast out of the Garden of Eden Adam offered sacrifices to the Lord. An angel came to Adam and asked him why he was offering sacrifices. Adam said that he didn't know why, he just knew that God commanded him to. We can apply this example to our lives. There are commandments out there that we may not understand the whole reason behind them. But we should be willing to obey those commandments because the did come from God and God knows all things so he obviously has a reason behind every commandment. God wouldn't give us commandments if they weren't for our good. So, its important to remember that although we may not understand all the reason for commandments, we just need to follow them and we will be blessed. I am reminded of a scripture in the Doctrine & Covenants section 82 verse 10 which says, "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." When we keep the commandments, we are promised blessings no matter what, but when we don't obey, God can't promise us any blessings. What a wonderful thing to remember.
     Our Savior and Exemplar Jesus Christ was the most obedient person to ever walk this earth. He came and did all that His Father asked Him to do, even being baptized. Now, if we are baptized for the remission of sins, and Christ had no sins, why then was He baptized? Well, let me tell you, Jesus Christ was baptized, "to fulfill all righteousness", and to show "the children of men that according, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments" (see 2 Nephi 31:5,7 italics added). Christ didn't need to be baptized, but being baptized was a commandment to God and Christ wanted to keep all of God's commandments and so He got baptized, not just by anyone, by John the Baptist who had the proper priesthood authority to baptize. What a wonderful example Jesus Christ set for us in being obedient to the commandments.
      Now, I know being obedient can be difficult, especially when the norm is on the opposite end. But I do know that when we are obedient and choose the right even when it is hard, that God will bless us more that we can imagine. He loves us so much, and if we show our love for Him by being obedient to Hid commandments, He will see our actions and will reward us accordingly. I have seen this countless times in my life and the more we are obedient the easier it will become to resist those temptations our there our lives will be beyond happy!

My Dad

 

Before I move on to another Christlike attribute I would like to slip a quick post in here in regards to Father's Day coming up on June 19th. I would just like to write for a bit about my own dad Russell Neilson. My dad is the best, to put it simply. I truly couldn't have asked for a better dad. I have become the person who I have become because of him and how he has taught me and how he has lived his life. My dad would literally do anything for me, even if he didn't really want to. He always made sure to do whatever it took to make me happy. I have always been provided for my whole life, whether it was food, shelter, clothing, or even sporting equipment and attire. Ever since I can remember my dad has been up early in the morning to make me breakfast before school. Something which I now deeply appreciated cause I love his cooking. My dad has been a wonderful teacher to me. Whenever I needed help in school, he was right there to help me find the answers. He was a great coach and mentor. I absolutely love sports, my whole life has revolved around sports and my dad taught me how to play and get better in my athletics. He pushed me to my fullest potential  even when I may have whined and complained. He knew how good I could get and I am very grateful he did push me to become better. 

     There are so many more things I could go on about my dad and how he has blessed my life, but most importantly he has been the best example to me in living his life like our Savior Jesus Christ. My dad is the most kind, and loving person out there and I have seen the love he shows for my mom, my brother and sisters, the people he served in our ward as a Bishop and all the people around him. Throughout my life I have always seen my dad studying from his scriptures so he could teach me the ways of the gospel. He made sure we had family prayers, and family scripture study, and family home evenings to help strengthen us kids and help us gain a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sure there were times we as a family slacked, but that was us kids' fault cause we tended to again whine and complain. But I am so thankful that my dad did push to make sure we had the spiritual times as a family so we could know how to become more like Jesus Christ. Forgive me if I sound like I am rambling, there is just so much to talk about my dad that I will be forever grateful for. I am who I am today because of the example my dad set for me and I appreciate him and allowing me to be a part of his wonderful family here on earth. I love you dad and thank you for EVERYTHING. Happy Father's Day!