“Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, 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.” (2 Nephi 31:7)
In this scripture, Nephi is talking to his people about Christ’s baptism. Christ was baptized, not because he was unclean and needed to repent and have his sins washed away, but because it was part of the plan. He did it because God commanded it.
Sometimes there are commandments that are hard for us to understand. It may seem unnecessary or unimportant. Maybe, for you, parts of the Word of Wisdom seem unnecessarily restrictive. Perhaps there is another commandment that you just can’t seem to understand the purpose of.
I have a son who always has to know the WHY behind every rule or direction he is given. It can be a great strength because when he understands why he is very willing to make changes and never forgets what he has learned. It can be frustrating, however, as his parent when I don’t have the time or I can’t give him all of the reasons why because he isn’t old enough or mature enough to have all the information just yet, or he just doesn’t have the life experience that would lead to understanding. Sometimes I just need him to obey. We often have the following conversation:
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think we have this rule just because I want to control you or I just don’t want you to have any fun or do you think I probably have a good reason for the rule.”
“You have a reason.”
“What is my job as your parent?”
“To teach me and keep me healthy and safe.”
“That’s right. So can you trust me that m reasons are just because I am trying to do that job? Can you trust that I know more about this because I have lived longer and I have more knowledge and experince? Or do I ALWAYS need to tell you all of the reasons whenever I ask something of you?”
If God could speak with us in that same way, what would the conversation look like? Can we just trust Him enough to obey? Can we be like Christ who just followed the commandment to be baptized even though he really didn’t need to repent and be washed clean? Can we trust that God has a reason for all of His commandments, even if we, in our fallen human state, can’t see or understand the reason with our limited knowledge or experience? I can promise you that he has reasons and that every commandment is for our benefit. If we follow them He can teach us and keep us healthy and safe.
Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Is there a commandment you are struggling with? Imagine you are having a conversation with God about it just like a child talking with his parent. What would He say to you? How can you show your faith and willingness to be obedient?
