But you believe not, because ye are not of my sheep

"John 10:25- 27  Jesus answered them, I told you and you believed nor; the works that I do in my father’s name, they bear witness of me. But you believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, they follow me." 

We are the ones who make the choice to follow. If we follow him, we hear his voice and we cry unto him. He hears us just as we know his voice, he knows ours. He knows us because we follow him.

What is that to you. John 21: 22 Here Christ is getting ready to leave the disciples and apostles and has ask them what they desire of him. “And Peter asked the Savior. What shall this man do? Christ replied. What is that to you?” In other words, I think he is saying. Worry about your own talents and problems and follow me. Someone else’s talents or gifts are nothing to you. In other words we ought not compare ourselves to another.

Christ as the Exemplar

He said unto them, whosoever will come after me let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34 “Let him deny himself.” I think we have to be sure that our manner of deny ourselves is in accordance with God’s will.

 I remember before my husband died I prayed for years for him to get better. I know now that there were several reasons Heavenly Father could not answer that prayer, but in desperation I started fasting for him daily. I would fast for twenty-four hours eat one meal then begin a fast for another twenty-four hours. My denying myself did not help me, nor my husband, nor did it do anything to further the cause of Christ.  That did not last long, because I could see that it was ruining my health and stopped.

Let him deny himself, is part of the sentence that says in my words, Don’t worry so much about what you think you should do or what the world wants you to do, but be more concerned about Heavenly Father’s plan for you. 

Christ as our example

I want to explorer Christ as an exemplar, or how might we follow his example.  

In the book of Matthew chapter four it tells how Christ fasts forty days and is tempted then he begins his ministry. Verse sixteen states, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light: and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” Christ brought great light those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death. The example here is that if we live our lives the way we should we also may be filled with light and bring light to those who sit in darkness in the shadow of death.

“ From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren … And he said unto them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” We know that he gathered around him twelve disciples. The word disciple means followers and it was not unusual in that time or this for people to follow certain disciplines or teachings. We have today, weight watchers, Yoga, all kinds of groups or disciplines we follow.   But Christ was doing something more in gathering the twelve. He was setting up his church—organizing it.  In 1 Corinthians 4:40 Paul advised the church to let all things be done decently and in order. In the creation of the earth things were done in order. Things were organized in an orderly manner. “The earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep … And God said, let there be light; and there was light.” Then he divided the light from the darkness. In other words he moved the earth in rotation around a sun so that there would be so many hours of light or darkness on all sides. With sunlight on the earth  plants could grow, and animals could live. Where did he get the seeds for the plants? I don’t know maybe he brought them from other planets. Maybe he brought the dinosaurs so we could have fossil fuel, I don’t know. All I know is that God created the heaven and the earth and that he did it by bringing order to what already existed.

If we are to be Christ-like then I suggest we need order. Not neat freak kind of order but sensible and as Paul said let all things be done decently and in order.          

For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being;but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity. (Moroni 8:18)

For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being;but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity. (Moroni 8:18)

"I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts..."

The Spirit of Christ is given to every man that he may know good from evil. (Moroni 7:16) I used to forgive others who messed up really bad by saying, "Well, they didn't know any better. They are not member of a church, they don't know Christ." Apparently that is not true. Even if they do not have or believe the Book of Mormon, the Bible states in Hebrews 8:10 "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts..." So we are all held accountable to the same standard.

a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be servant of the devil "

"For behold a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be servant of the devil " Moroni 7:11 So when you go to the Seven Eleven be sure to choose the good fountain.  Sorry, I couldn't resist, but it will help me remember where this verse is.
So when I get angry and yell at my best friend, I have chosen the bitter water and I am not following Christ. I feel so remorseful that sorry hardly applies. When will I learn to curb my anger?

bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success. Alma 26:27

Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold , the Lord comforted us, and said ...bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success. Alma 26:27

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.”

There is a legal definition of abuse. I have never felt it to be specific enough and I would expect the law to solid and specific. As a result of that I came up with a layman’s definition of abuse that works well for me.  Abuse is good things gone wrong. It goes back to Isaiah 5:20 and 2 Nephi 15:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.”  

In my novel the antagonist having been abuse as a child knows nothing of pleasure from good. He has only experienced pleasure from evil, from hidden things in the dark, sweetness that turns bitter the morning after. Although he marries a good woman, gives up drinking and carousing, evil finds him and reawakens those hidden pleasures of the darkness. If we would judge this individual where would it start? Most certainly when the light exposes his dark deeds the law find him guilty. But didn’t it really begin with him being abuse and his abuser being abused and so on. It did, but the law cannot punish those who are dead. That is left for God and their own conscience.

All though the book is a fictionalize story of real events. This morning I concluded that the unrest and stress I have been feeling lately is because of trapped emotions from abuse nowhere near as heinous as those in my novel. I’m talking about the everyday stuff we do like neglecting to smile, or pay attention to, children or spouses in particular, who depends on us for their feelings of well being. In my case I have been chastised for my religious beliefs. While I have every confidence that God lives and the Scriptures are true a certain individual feels judged. I have found myself going out of my way to avoid this individual because he blames his fear of the truth on me.

God will force no man to heaven. That is what agency, a principal I truly love and adhere to, is all about. I have no desire to corner, trap or force my beliefs on this individual in any way shape or form. He must come to the knowledge of the truth in his own time, in his own way if he comes at all.  That is his problem and I accept it. However, what he believes does not change my opinion of his talents, creativity, or worth as a human being. I in fact admire and appreciate him a great deal and that is a good thing pure and simple. Unfortunately, due to some negative experiences from other church members he fears me. No matter what I do he sees good as evil and evil as good and it makes me feel bad that he feels that way. That is where the abuse comes in. He feels that I am abusing him and as a result I have been fighting the good feelings I have for him. I can’t believe I have been so stupid, but it has all been subconscious. This morning me and my conscious and my subconscious had a long talk and both of us feel much better.

I could put in a plug for the book I think it’s called The Body Code. Have a long talk with yourself or find out more by checking out my friend Patty Butts site www.wholesomejunction.com 

"And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else. Therefore the wicked remains as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death ' for behold the day cometh when all shall rise from the dead; and stand before God and be judged according to their works." Alma 11:40-41

One can deny there is a God or a devil. They can live their lives in loneliness and fear never knowing the love and condensation of God or the joy of repentance through the atonement of Jesus Christ. And yet that day will come when they will face death and reality and stand before God and be judged according to their works. Believing is not necessarily truth.  

And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus

Chapter 12 of Ether is all about faith. The very last verse after all is said and done is "And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written,that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen Ether 12:41
I like that he says I would commend you. Like he's saying I recommend, I invite, or I encourage you to seek this Jesus because God will force no man to Heaven. You must come on your own because you want to not because you have to, not even out of fear of going to the ever lasting gulf of misery. You do it out of faith - that tiny grain of faith.  Read the scriptures because you want to learn, because they enlighten your mind, and expand your knowledge, because you want to know more. Be obedient because you want to, out of that  tiny grain of faith not because it is expected, not because you are told to do it, but  because it is the desire of your heart.  "For behold if a man ... giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift." Moroni7:8        

Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.Ether 12: 6

Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen: wherefore dispute not because ye see not, for Y For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers after he had risen from the dead: and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him: wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world. Ether 12:6-7" Remember in the Bible where Christ would heal someone?  Sometimes he would say, go and tell others what has been done. Other times he would say, tell no man. Was it then because of the unbelief and lack of faith of that person's friends? If someone had the faith to be healed and they told a non believer they would be laughed at and scorned. Would not the person being healed begin to doubt. Not always but the Lord would know.
I have seen it happen where a person has been healed and then begin to doubt and the problem returned. Of course if the person did not have sufficient faith to endure Satan would then say, you were not really healed at all were you? It would be worse than if they were never healed at all.

Behold this is a choice land and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven if they will but serve the God of the land who is Jesus Christ. Ether 2:12

Go to work and build …”

Jared and his brethren dwelt in a tent on the seashore for four years. At the end of that time the Lord came and stood in a cloud and chastened the brother of Jared for the space of three hours because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord. The Lord said unto him, “I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sin, but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my Spirit will not always strive with man.” And then the Lord said, “Go to work and build …” Ether 2:14-16 

My interpretation is that for four years Jared and his brethren camped out on the seashore and forgot how they got there and why they were there.  They got busy with life. We all do that while life goes on and before you know it four years, ten years, or more has gone by and those promises you, I mean I made when I was sick, or otherwise in despair, on my knees, at baptism, or in the temple you (I mean I)  prayed help me out of this and I will …

If we are lucky. …  If there is someone on the other side, or on this side who will comfort us, and pray for us and then chasten us (I mean me) for three hours until we arouse and open our spiritual eyes we will go to work and build. … Perhaps, we will have the perfect humble faith the brother of Jared and will see the Lord.  But If we never obtain that blessing, but we try we will still be better off at the day of judgment than we were. Unless we fall back into our old ways.... and the Spirit no longer will strive with me.  

it was fear that kept me in Satan's clutches throughout my years of abuse.

"Once I moved beyond the darkness into the light, it became obvious to me that it was fear that kept me in Satan's clutches throughout my years of abuse." This is a quote from the book Beyond the Darkness --my near-death journey to the edge of Hell and back. by Angie Fenimore.
When I saw the title I was interested,  so I bought the book. When I first tried to read it I could not relate.Then one day a friend pulled it off my shelf and left it on the table. I'd grown some-- more secure-- stronger -- and wiser. I decided to read it again. It was wonderful. As I write my novel I see that it is fear that keeps Reenie trapped. It is fear that keep us all trapped. We fear we will fail, we aren't good enough, and on and on. It isn't so. Let fear go. Forgive.  

Reading Mormon's lamenting on the remains of the house of Israel in America (the Nephites and Lamanites) He says and behold the Lord hath reserved their blessings, which they might have received in the land for the Gentiles who shall possess the land. With out pointing any fingers especially the ones pointed back at me what are we the Gentiles doing with our blessings?

He maketh his sun to shine on the evil and on the good. 3 Nephi 12:45. and this morning it snowed on the wicked and on the good in higher elevations

Some things come to all of us regardless of what we do. All that is required of us then is to be grateful for whatever comes and make the best of it.

"Behold I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth and all things that in them are. 3 Nephi 9: 15

About 341 years after the birth of Christ, at the time of the Crucifixion of Christ tempests, earthquakes, fires, and whirlwinds occurred here in America. For the space of three days darkness, in which no light could be seen, neither fire, or candles, or torches covered the land and there was a great morning, howling and weeping.-- and repenting.  After three days a voice was heard, "Wo, wo, wo unto this people: wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they repent." Many more things did the voice tell them. "O all ye that are spared because ye are more righteous than they, (that were destroyed.) will ye not return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" ...
"Behold I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth and all things that in them are.  I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father and the Father in me: and in me hath the Father glorified his name. I came unto my own, and my own received me not. and the scriptures concerning my coming are glorified." 3 Nephi 9: 1,13, 15.

It is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, ... whereon if men build they cannot fall. Helaman 5:12

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ , the son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall shall send forth his mighty winds, his shafts in the mighty whirlwind, yea when all his hail and his mighty storms shall beat upon you, it shall  have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which you are built, which is is a sure foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. Helaman 5:12. So I guess what that mean is that if we fall, we fall because we slipped off that rock.  

And they gave thanks to God yea, all their men and all their women and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praise of their God."

I am feeling extremely grateful this morning for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that without his atonement and without his mediation on my behalf I would not be strong and withstand the temptations that come before me. It took a bit of searching to find exactly what I'm feeling but Mosiah 24:21 comes the closest. So Amulon persecuted Alma and his people. They called upon God in mighty prayer and he prepared a way for them to escape.
 "Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage: for they were in bondage and none could deliver them except it were the Lord  their God . And they gave thanks to God yea, all their men and all their women and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praise of their God."   
Oh, I know the troubles are not over but like the people of Alma I know that none could deliver me except through the mercies and atonement of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

  

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5

"The gate of Heaven is open to all, even to those who believe on the name of Jesus Christ who is the Son of God." (Helaman 3: 28) I notice that the word gate is singular here. There is only one gate by which we can enter Heaven and that is of course by baptism and baptism comes only through Jesus Christ. John tell us that except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5  The Book of Helaman goes on to tell us that" whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God." and that in the end it will land our souls at the right hand of God in the Kingdom of Heaven.

It is so simple, even a child can understand. "Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." John 14:6

It is so simple, even a child can understand. "Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." John 14:6 And "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  Oh there are many, many other scriptures and writings that point to, elaborate on or say the same thing but it all comes down to that. Jesus is the way and be baptized.  

thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from his sins. Luke 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from his sins. Luke 1:21- The name Jesus means help or Savior. That is his purpose -- to save his people and all people from sin. He is our savior, our redeemer our all.  

And the Lord provided for them.... that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ

As I continue reading in Alma about their missionary efforts, Alma prays mighty unto the Lord for the Zoramites. He is grieved because of their pride and that they are puffed up even to greatness with the vain things of the world. He prays for comfort that he might have strength and be patience with them. He says."Behold, O Lord their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethern; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethern, again unto thee. ... And the Lord provided for them.... that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma and this because he prayed in faith." Alma 31:35 and 38.

Bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give you success.

When I first started this blog I only gave pure scriptures but in time I began giving my thoughts and feelings on the scriptures. At first the scriptures I gave really were my favorites up to that point in time. As time progressed I changed the way I read the scriptures. The change was subtle in appearance in a much as I still tried to do daily scripture readings, but internally or personally there was a big change in quality in stead of quantity. I was working at the time and I decided that since I was often too tired to concentrate on the words much less the message I would read at night only if my mind was not foggy with sleepiness. I set my two alarms on my cell phone to wake me in the morning. One of them I set a half hour earlier than usual. If I awoke fresh and alert I read my scriptures. If it had been a late night and I was still groggy when the first alarm went off I waited for the second alarm and would wait until evening to read.

Not only would I not read unless I was able to pay attention I would read what I wanted to. I would not necessarily follow any set lesson plan, but would choose a topic of interest. If that choice led me off the topic then so much the better. My scripture reading has taken on an entire different outlook and meaning. This is private time with the Lord and I value it highly.

This morning is one of those mornings when I have been led off the subject. It is exactly the scripture I need at this time an speaks that quite peace to my heart. I share it with you in hopes that it might speak to you as well.

These are the words of Ammond to his brethern in the mission field."Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst the Laminites and bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give you success." Alma 26: 27

The Spirit of Christ is given to every man that he may know good from evil. ... But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil ... is of the devil.  Moroni 7:16 - 17 both gives us great hope and also condemns us to that great pit. The choice is ours and yet we are enticed constantly that the things of the devil are all right. If we are to judge if a thing is right or wrong by how it makes us feel the devil can certainly duplicate that. Strong drink, drugs, improper sexual activity, anger, or even abusing another can give us euphoric feelings and numb our feelings of remorse. How can this be wrong we say when it feels so good. Sometimes when inappropriate behavior occurs at a young age it is difficult to break those chains and come unto Christ and be clean. Sometimes we know it's wrong but we do it anyway. The innocent child born with a drug addiction, or abused at a very young age feels safer with Satan than with Christ. How then are we to judge that individual? Can we judge them? How then are they to be saved? 

I know that God granteth unto men according to their desire.Alma 29:4 so when I make bad choices I am punishing myself.

For I know that he (God) granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. Alma 29:4  So if these rules, or laws are unalterable-- actually irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of the world, we are told, then when I make bad choices I am punishing  myself. 

For whatsoever is good cometh from God,

If you will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd. And now if ye are not the sheep sheep of the good shepherd of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you that the devil is your shepherd and ye are of his fold: and now who can deny this? Behold I say unto you whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil. For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.   Alma 5: 38-40  

Alma's counsel to his missionary son reminds us that --There is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold he is the word of truth and righteousness. (Alma 38:9) I also like 38:14 where he tell his son when he prays to say -- O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my bretheren  in mercy.  I don't think he wants his son to become depressed about how bad he is but to recognize that he (we) can do nothing in and of ourselves. It is only through the life and light of Jesus Christ that we can be righteous and teach and live the word. Which reminds me of D&C 42:14 which tells us that if we receive not the Spirit we shall not teach. Oh, we can speak words and give the lesson we have prepared, but we cannot teach.   

At about 124 BC good King Benjamin addressed his people here on the American Continent. He spoke of Christ from his knowledge of the scriptures they had brought with them and also from revelation brought to him by an angel. He tells them that the Lord Omnipotent  will come down from heaven and dwell in a tabernacle of clay. That he will work mighty miracles and shall suffer pain even unto death so much that blood will come from every pore. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the son of God, the father of heaven and earth the creator of all things from the beginning and his mother shall be called Mary.  That whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as thought he had already come among them.   

Here is a scripture a promise actually that I really need today. "Before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the the kingdom of God. And after ye hath obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, IF YE SEEK THEM and ye will seek them for the intent to do good.-- to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted. Jacob 2:18-19 

Sherem came preaching that there should be no Christ but Jacob said to him, "Believest thou the scriptures?" and Sherem said, "Yea,"
 Jacob answered, "Then ye do not understand them for they truly testify of Christ."
At that time the scriptures they had were the books of the Bible up to Isaiah and they truly did testify that Christ would come. Today we have many more testimonies of Christ that he did come. Every book in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon as well as many more private and public records testify that Christ did come. 

My Favorite Scripture

My Favorite Scripture Jacob 1: 5-6 For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should happen to them. And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which should come.

I've been away all summer. I had my scriptures with me but read them very little. Strange how a change in routine can mess things up. I am starving for the light.
Jacob 1: 5-6 For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should happen to them. And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which should come.
I have faith and great anxiety when I don't know things. I pray more fervently and meditate concerning things I should do, and what decisions to make. I do not know all things but I know the Lord does and if I pray and seek diligently I will know the thing I am to do. I am far from perfect but the Lord is perfect. If I stay close to him I have his strength. Bad things -- things that are hard -- happen all the time, (like wrecking my car) but with faith  I will get through it. Seldom is it a piece of cake. I need prayer, I need faith, I need to study and meditate on the scriptures. It's good to be back.

I glory in my Jesus

I glory in plainness: I glory in truth: I glory in my Jesus for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.  I love these words from the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi. 2 Nephi 33: 6  Somewhere the scriptures say that the word of God is so simple that a child can understand.

Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased

... He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased and he that humble himself shall be exalted. ... Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weithter matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew 23: 11-12 & 23

Jesus said, Follow thou me.

I don’t believe in obedience


Maybe, I’m just a rebel, but I do not believe in doing something for no other reason than someone said I had to, or that I should. Even as a child, I wanted to know why. Why did I need to do the dishes right now? Mom would always tell me, because she said so. That answer infuriated me. It made me think she thought me too stupid to understand. The results were that we were always in opposition.

Fortunately, my father would take the time to explain. For example, he said that a potato cutting placed in the furrow with the eye up, had a better chance of reaching the surface. If the sprout from the eye had to wind its way around the potato it might die trying to find its way up to the sunlight.

He did not have to tell me that would mean wasted work, and a poor harvest if the cuttings were not placed properly. The end result of my father’s approach was trust. He showed me respect by explaining and he gained my respect. I felt I could talk to him about anything and he would explain. With Mom, I had to find the reasons myself. I think we are all a little like that.

I think the same is true with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. If we know them, if we pray, study, meditate and gain a personal relationship with them, then we trust, respect and love them. We have a personal relationship with them and we obey not for the sake of being obedience but out of trust, respect, and love.

In the words of Nephi, after he reminds us that Jesus said; “Follow thou me.” Nephi asks, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall keep the commandments of the Father?” 2 Nephi 31:10