What is our motive for being Obedient?

Our love for the Lord should be our motivation for all that we strive to become and do as missionaries and in particular, our obedience. We learn from Laman and Lemuel that their motivation for repenting and being obedient was not there love for the Lord for they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them (1 Nephi 2:12). Only when they were caught, reprimanded, chastised, shocked, corrected, etc. did they humble themselves and desired to obey. Three reason for obedience:

1. Avoid punishment (Good Reason).
2. Receive blessings (Better Reason).
3. Love for the Lord (Best Reason).

We have many examples of Laman and Lemuel repenting and being obedient to avoid punishment (Good Reason):

“And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them” (1 Nephi 2:14).

“And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly; and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger, and did repent of their sins…”(1 Nephi 16:39).

We also have many examples of repenting and being obedient to receive the blessings (Better Reason)

“And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands” (1 Nephi 2:20).

Nephi is a great example of being motivated by love for the Lord (Best Reason).

Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works…

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen”(2 Nephi 4:16,17,20-23,30,34-35)

May our love for Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ be our motivation all that we seek to become and all we do.

We love you,
President May