"Mom, why do we have to always obey God?"

As I was putting the boys to bed last night our 4 year old posed a very good question. "Mom, why do we have to always obey God?" I started to answer his question and our 6 year old finished for me. "We don't HAVE to obey God. He hopes we will choose to though." We then talked about the blessings of obedience and the WHY of the commandments. We talked about the commandment to avoid drugs and alcohol and how that commandment is designed to keep us free. I explained that all of God's commandments are designed to keep us FREE and HAPPY.

It is interesting that he would ask that question right now. I was picking a scripture last week to "ponderize" and wanted one about courage. I was amazed to realize the connection in Old Testament times to courage and obedience. I have heard Joshua 1:9 quoted a million times. Usually the question at the beginning of the verse is omitted in the quote. That question is a very important part of the scripture though.

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." - Joshua 1:9

We can have total assurance that the Lord will keep His word. The blessing associated with obedience is a GUARANTEE. Consider the 2,000 stripling warriors. What kept them safe? "Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them." (Alma 57:21) Exact obedience kept them safe. They learned that obedience through watching their mothers faithfully obey. They understood the WHY of God's commandments.

The Bible and the Book of Mormon have a running theme. Obedience brings prosperity and blessing. God's word can be trusted. If He promises then it will happen. That is the foundation of true life-changing faith. Let us teach our children the WHY of obedience. Let us point them to Christ and let them rest in the comfort of obedience. The fruit of obedience is the Spirit or in other words love, joy, peace, confidence, courage, freedom and safety. We all need that fruit in our lives and homes today.