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Law, blessing, and the difference between compliance and covenant

Obedience

D&C 130:20–21 states a law about how blessings work, and D&C 58:26 rules out the reading in which obedience means waiting to be told. Between them is most of what scripture says about the subject.

18 min2 sections

1

The law

D&C 130:20–21dc

20There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

21And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

The claim is structural rather than transactional: blessings are attached to laws in the way that consequences are attached to causes. It is not that God rewards good behaviour but that certain outcomes are only reachable one way — which is why D&C 82:10 can say the Lord is bound when we do what He says.

2

What obedience is not

D&C 58:26–28dc

26For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful servant, and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

28For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves.

  • Not compliance while waiting to be told — that is named a slothful servant.
  • Not a transaction: John 14:15 puts love first and keeping second, in that order.
  • Not blind. Abraham argues with God over Sodom; Moses argues over Israel; Enoch asks God why He weeps. All three are treated as friends rather than as insubordinate.
  • Not indefinitely deferrable: Alma 34:32 says this life is the time to prepare, and 'the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed' follows it.

Principle

Obedience is the means by which specific blessings become reachable, and it is expected to be self-directed rather than commanded in all things.

D&C 130:20–21 · D&C 58:26–28 · John 14:15

What this topic holds

  1. Every blessing is predicated on a law, and obtained by obedience to that law.

    D&C 130:20–21 · D&C 82:10

  2. A person who must be commanded in all things is called a slothful servant.

    D&C 58:26–28

Check your reading

3 questions

  1. 01What does D&C 130:20 say about blessings?

  2. 02What does D&C 58:26 call someone compelled in all things?

  3. 03What order does John 14:15 put love and obedience in?

Where to go next

Chains

Lessons

Topics

Sources

  1. D&C 58; D&C 82; D&C 130 — The primary texts.