Commandments

While we sometimes forget the true meaning of this word, saying it intentionally draws spiritual strength into our lives.

The idea that we should “keep” the commandments may be much more than just following directions or obeying God.

“God’s commandment to love and serve His children includes loving and serving ourselves—not only because self-love fills us with more love to give others, but also because He wants us to love ourselves the way He loves us.”

Russell Osguthorpe, former Sunday School general president, studied at length how learning to create healthy attachments can increase our capacity to give and receive love from both God and others closest to us.

Here are a few inspiring commandments—ones that may slip our memory or get pushed under the rug in the living of life.

I adore the 2019 Mutual theme, and I’ve enjoyed studying, pondering, cross-referencing, and speaking about it to youth groups. It’s inspired, potent, and I believe it sits on the slab of the gospel foundation.

I have a little confession: I don’t always follow the posted speed limit when I drive. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not a compulsive speeder, nor do I treat driving like I’m auditioning for the next Fast and Furious movie. It’s just that when I’m driving, I don’t always pay as close attention to the speed limit as I probably should. In fact, most of the time, I just match the pace set by everyone else on the road around me. I quite literally follow the crowd. And when I catch myself in the act—usually when I spot a police car up ahead and reflexively hit the brakes—it’s then I notice how fast I was really going, and that I could have gotten into trouble.

Are the 10 commandments still relevant today? A Deseret News poll regarding this question revealed that the majority of Americans find the commandments still important today—with the exception of "Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy," which only 49 percent of Americans found relevant. In contrast, fewer U.K. citizens found the 10 commandments still important today with only 19 percent considering "Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy" relevant, 23 percent considering "You shall not use the Lord's name in vain" relevant, 20 percent considering "You shall have no other God before me" relevant, and 31 percent considering "You shall not worship idols" relevant today.

Maps are awesome. I mean, think about it: someone with so much more knowledge and experience than us took the time to measure, calculate, and draw the terrain and roads. They added towns and cities, miles and landmarks, and roads of all kinds. They even added the N on top so everyone else in the world—who isn’t my husband—can know where north is. Through their efforts, they have unlocked a world of driving and destinations for me. Because of them, I don’t have to be lost (as much). Because of them, I can know exactly how to get where I want to go.

Over the next several months, we will be sharing insights from authors Michelle Wilson and Dennis Gaunt on this year's youth theme, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Watch for them under "Lesson Helps" on LDS Living's homepage each month and share them with your teens!

The following is an excerpt from The Melchizedek Priesthood. While Elder and Sister Renlund are addressing priesthood holders in this passage, the council is true and imperative for every member of the Church.

A study released today reveals new insights about society's views on the Ten Commandments and lying in particular. In addition to evaluating how various political parties and age demographics view the Ten Commandments, the study shows how Mormons line up compared to the rest of the world.

Sometimes in an attempt to prove our faithfulness to the gospel, Latter-day Saints create standards that require even more than what the Lord is asking of us. So before we expend too much energy trying to live these "higher" standards, we should ask ourselves, "Are we living the cultural gospel or the Lord's gospel?"

Do you remember when President Uchtdorf told us about the bumper sticker he saw tacked onto the end of a car whose driver seemed to be a "little rough around the edges"?

I’ll admit it: I grew up thinking that Coke and other caffeinated drinks were frowned upon by the Church. I knew it wasn’t explicitly against the Word of Wisdom, so when asked why I wouldn’t drink anything caffeinated, I would say I didn’t enjoy the taste. But the reality is that I was mostly avoiding the caffeine. I thought drinking it was wrong.

David Palmer, or Brother Palmer as his students know him, was discussing the importance of missionary work in a seminary class he taught several years ago when a student asked, “It’s true that you don’t have to go on a mission to go to the celestial kingdom, right?”

What an insightful observation: "In order to know where we stand, we want to know where those around us stand so we will have points of reference, so these outward commandments become further ingrained as benchmarks. It is easier to see if someone is showing their shoulders than to determine how much faith they have, so we tend to judge that instead—both in ourselves and in others. (Facebook makes this brand of judging so easy!)"

What an insightful way of thinking of the commandments God gives His children and why.

Mormon, our beloved narrative guide through the Book of Mormon, was described by Ammaron, another record keeper, this way, “I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe” (Mormon 1:2).

As part of their annual series Ten Today, where they look at how the ten commandments are relevant in today's society, Deseret News created a poll to learn how Americans feel about cheating and adultery in a time with new technology in the mix. The survey consists of responses from 1,000 Americans plus an oversample of 250 Mormons.

In scripture, God tells His saints to “be of good cheer.”

Consider the following phrases:

Conference Talk: "Keep the Commandments" by President Thomas S. Monson

It's not always easy to follow the commandments to love God and love our neighbors.

What an amazing treasure. We're glad the public can still enjoy it for years to come!

In a new Church video, Elder Dallin H. Oaks tells about the letters he's received from parents and other members in the Church experiencing heartbreak after their loved ones have decided to live their lives differently than the Church teaches.

We know we should respect other people's agency and love them despite any differences we may have. But this cute, animated video shows us why, if we truly love them, we should explain to them our reasons for living the way we do and help them understand the purpose of God's commandments.

As Latter-day Saints, we try to keep the Lord's commandments, but sometimes we tell ourselves things that simply aren't true and that keep us from even trying.

What an inspiring post that reminds us of Elder Holland's counsel:

As part of Mormon.org's new playlist on YouTube, "Mormon Beliefs," a new video explains why keeping God's commandments is so important. In just 80 seconds, it explains how the commandments are not restrictive but freeing, bring us lasting happiness, and help us find the path back to our Heavenly Parents.

One of the hardest commands the Lord gives us in the scriptures is one we don’t often think of: “be not weary in well-doing, for you are laying the foundation of a great work” (D&C 64:33-34). But what happens if you are weary? What happens if you are exhausted, burned out, over-stretched, and just need a break?

Keeping the Sabbath isn't optional, at least not in God's book. But observing the day of rest prescribed in the 10 Commandments can be more difficult for busy families than honoring their parents or not swearing.

Recently, Sister Nelson met with women Church leaders in the Philippines while touring the area with President Nelson. Over 1300 sisters attended these special women Church meetings.

Why does God give us commandments? How does keeping them help us? LDS Youth recently posted two new videos that answer these complicated questions in a way that is so simple and so poignant, the answers are bound to stick with you!

MR says: Creative graphics and remarkable visuals beautifully complement this unforgettable counsel shared from Elder L. Tom Perry. Check out this moving masterpiece!

MR says: Are there ways you could have been using the Lord's name carelessly, without even realizing it?

Memorizing the Ten Commandments

I wanted a hovercraft. But not just any hovercraft. I wanted to build my own. I only lacked two things: the instruction kit as featured in the back of my Boys’ Life magazine and the motor from the family vacuum cleaner.

Ten utterances. Ten words.

Each month, LDS youth around the world study a different doctrinal principle that is coordinated across Young Men, Young Women, and youth Sunday School classes. The topic for August is Commandments. The youth will learn how obedience to Heavenly Father’s commandments affects their happiness in this life and their progression toward eternal life in the world to come. As youth keep the commandments and continually repent, they will manifest their love for the Lord and keep themselves free from worldly influences.

Preparation: Number ten separate sheets of paper with a large number 1–10. Obtain a bean bag and a picture of Moses with the stone tablets, such as Gospel Art Book #14. Get or make a poster with each of the Ten Commandments listed (large enough for the children to see the words).