Obedience - Book of Mormon Gospel Topics

Old Testament New Testament Book of Mormon Statements of Belief

Origins of the Topic

Obediance to God's commandments is required to have eternal life

Obedience to God's commandments is required for eternal life. Not following His commandements is a sin. These are very clearly set out in the scriptures.

Commentary: Some denominations do not believe that obedience to God's commandments is required for eternal life. This topic is closely related to Grace vs. Works and Atonement.

Old Testament

God shows mercy to the people that keep his commandments
Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Even not following God's commandments through ignorance is a sin - Key Verse -
Leviticus 4:2, 4, 13-14 [2] Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them: [4] And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the Lord. [13] And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty; [14] When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation. Commentary: The key concept here is when the sin is finally known, to repent of it.

Even not following God's commandments through ignorance is a sin - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Leviticus 4:2, 4, 13-14
[2] Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:
[4] And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the Lord.
[13] And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;
[14] When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.

Commentary: The key concept here is when the sin is finally known, to repent of it.

You must do God's commandments - Key Verse -
Leviticus 22:31 Therefore shall ye keep My commandments, and do them: I am the Lord.

God rewards those that follow His commandments
Leviticus 26:2-4, 11-18 [2] Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. Leviticus [3] If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; [4] Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. [11] And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. [12] And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. [13] I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright. [14] But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; [15] And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: [16] I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. [17] And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. [18] And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. Commentary: If you do not follow His commandments, He will punish you 7 times more for your sins (including terror, consumption, the burning ague, being killed by your enemies, being ruled by people that hate you, and paranoia).

God rewards those that follow His commandments

Leviticus 26:2-4, 11-18
[2] Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. Leviticus [3] If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
[4] Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
[11] And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
[12] And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
[13] I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
[14] But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;
[15] And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:
[16] I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
[17] And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
[18] And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.

Commentary: If you do not follow His commandments, He will punish you 7 times more for your sins (including terror, consumption, the burning ague, being killed by your enemies, being ruled by people that hate you, and paranoia).

You must do God's commandments in order to live - Key Verse -
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 [1] Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you. [2] Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Commentary: His commandments are not to be changed in any way.

You must do God's commandments in order to live - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Deuteronomy 4:1-2
[1] Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.
[2] Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Commentary: His commandments are not to be changed in any way.

If you are obedient to God's Word, He will not forsake you
Deuteronomy 4:29-31 [29] But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. [30] When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; [31] (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

If you are obedient to God's Word, He will not forsake you

Deuteronomy 4:29-31
[29] But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
[30] When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
[31] (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Good things happen to those that follow God's commandments
Deuteronomy 4:39-40 [39] Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. [40] Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, for ever.

Good things happen to those that follow God's commandments

Deuteronomy 4:39-40
[39] Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
[40] Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, for ever.

You will perish if you are not obedient to God's Word
Deuteronomy 8:19-20 [19] And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. [20] As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God.

You will be blessed if you follow God's commandments and cursed if you do not
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 [26] Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; [27] A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: [28] And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other Gods, which ye have not known.

Strangers (non-Jews) will be obedient as soon as they hear (understand) God's Word
2 Samuel 22:45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me. Commentary: Also states that God's Word is not just for the House of Israel.

People are cut off when they do not follow God's commandments
1 Kings 9:6-7 [6] But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: [7] Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

People are cut off when they do not follow God's commandments

1 Kings 9:6-7
[6] But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:
[7] Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

Keep God's commandments and live
Proverbs 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Be obedient and eat of the good of the land, or be destroyed if you are not obedient
Isaiah 1:19-20 [19] If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: [20] But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

New Testament

Following God's commandments are a requirement for eternal life - Key Verse -
Matthew 19:16-17 [16] And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? [17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Traditions change God's commandments (see Deuteronomy 4:1-2) and mean nothing to God - Key Verse -
Mark 7:7-13 [7] Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. [8] For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. [9] And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. [10] For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: [11] But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. [12] And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; [13] Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. Commentary: Yet, people are happy to put traditions ahead of God's commandments.

Traditions change God's commandments (see Deuteronomy 4:1-2) and mean nothing to God - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Mark 7:7-13
[7] Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
[8] For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
[9] And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
[10] For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
[11] But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
[12] And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
[13] Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Commentary: Yet, people are happy to put traditions ahead of God's commandments.

If you love God, keep his commandments - Key Verse -
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

People that keep God's commandments love God
ohn 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Even Jesus was obedient until his death on the cross and God exhalted Jesus - Key Verse -
Philipians 2:5-9 [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Even Jesus was obedient until his death on the cross and God exhalted Jesus - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Philipians 2:5-9
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

People that say they follow God but do not keep His commandments, are a liar - Key Verse -
1 John 2:3-5 [3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [5] But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

When we love God, we keep his commandments
1 John 5:1-3 [1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. [2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. [3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

People that keep God's commandments will enter Heaven - Key Verse -
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Book of Mormon

We are cut off from God's presence if we do not keep his commandments - Key Verse -
2 Nephi 1:34 But behold, his will be done: for his ways are righteousness for ever; and he hath said that, Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.

God will keep the people that follow his commandments - Key Verse -
Jacob 3:145-153 [145] And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants and said unto them, Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; [146] And I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning; and blessed art thou. [147] For because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold, ye shall have joy with me, because of the fruit of my vineyard. [148] For behold, for a long time will I lay up of the fruit of my vineyard unto mine own self, against the season, which speedily cometh; [149] And for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, and pruned it, and dug about it, and dunged it; [150] Wherefore I will lay up unto mine own self of the fruit for a long time, according to that which I have spoken. [151] And when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be gathered: [152] And the good will I preserve unto myself; and the bad will I cast away into its own place. [153] And then cometh the season and the end; and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire. Commentary: The parable starts at Jacob 3:31

God will keep the people that follow his commandments - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Jacob 3:145-153
[145] And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants and said unto them, Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will;
[146] And I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning; and blessed art thou.
[147] For because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold, ye shall have joy with me, because of the fruit of my vineyard.
[148] For behold, for a long time will I lay up of the fruit of my vineyard unto mine own self, against the season, which speedily cometh;
[149] And for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, and pruned it, and dug about it, and dunged it;
[150] Wherefore I will lay up unto mine own self of the fruit for a long time, according to that which I have spoken.
[151] And when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be gathered:
[152] And the good will I preserve unto myself; and the bad will I cast away into its own place.
[153] And then cometh the season and the end; and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire.

Commentary: The parable starts at Jacob 3:31

You must keep God's commandments in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven - Key Verse -
3 Nephi 5:68 For verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Commentary: see Revelation 22:14

Those that keep God's commandments will be blessed with temporal and spritual things and will be received into heaven. - Key Verse -
Mosiah 1:88-90 [88] And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. [89] For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; [90] And if they hold out faithful to the end, they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness.

Statements of Belief

- No Found or Stated Position

- Consistent with Scripture

- Partially Consistent with Scripture

- Inconsistent with Scripture

Anabaptism

Anglican

Assyrian Church

Church of Christ

Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches)

(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Community of Christ

Eastern Orthodox

Islam

Jehovah's Witnesses

Judaism

Lutheran

Methodist

Pentecostal

Presbyterian

Roman Catholic

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Southern Baptist Convention

Anabaptism -

Anglican -

Assyrian Church -

Church of Christ -

Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches) -

Epitome of Faith: We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

Commentary: Commentary: That belief and obediance to following God's Word are both required is consistent with the scriptures.

(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -

Community of Christ -

Eastern Orthodox -

Islam -

Jehovah's Witnesses -

Judaism -

Articles of Faith formulated according to Maimonides: 11. I firmly believe that the Creator—blessed be He!—rewardeth those that keep His commandments and punisheth those that transgress His commandments.

Commentary: God rewarding those that follow His commandments and punishes those that do not are consistent with the scriptures.

Lutheran -

Methodist -

All the commandments of God he accordingly keeps, and that with all his might. For his obedience is in proportion to his love, the source from whence it flows. And therefore, loving God with all his heart, he serves him with all his strength. He continually presents his soul and body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God; entirely and without reserve devoting himself, all he has, and all he is, to his glory. All the talents he has received, he constantly employs according to his Master's will; every power and faculty of his soul, every member of his body. Once he "yielded" them "unto sin" and the devil, "as instruments of unrighteousness;" but now, "being alive from the dead, he yields" them all "as instruments of righteousness unto God." ["The Character of a Methodist", from the Thomas Jackson edition of The Works of John Wesley, 1872]

Commentary: This is the best statement for this topic that can be found from Methodist sources. No statement from Methodist sources can be found that explicitly connects obediance to God's commandments as a requirement for entry into heaven.

Obedience to God's Commandments