There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundation of the world upon which all blessings are predicated ... And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Obedience is the first law of heaven and the first principle given as a covenant in the Temple. Everything that we do in this life that is good it is through obedience to the LAWS OF GOD. Everything that we do that is not good or that we fail to do that is good is through disobedience and rebellion.

Obedience involves Faith, Humility, Unselfishness, Service and Love. Disobedience involves Pride, Selfishness, Rebellion, and Hate. From the beginning Christ was unselfish and obedient in all things and did nothing except that which the Father commanded Him to do. Satan was selfish, rebellious and disobedient in all things and was cast out because of his disobedience.

Each time we obey in faith and humility we become just a little more like our Savior. The path of obedience to the laws of God leads to greater development and freedom. We live life more abundantly through obedience and find joy, peace and love in the process. Each commandment and principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for our good and for our growth and happiness.

If we obey the law of Tithing we not only receive the blessings that go along with that law but we develop in ourselves more faith, humility, unselfishness and love. The blessings we receive for this law are that the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that we cannot have room to contain and we will not burn at his coming. Especially we receive the blessing of being obedient  This in itself will build in us personality and character and enlarge our knowledge and Testimony of the principle that we obey.

Some of the greatest promises given are promised for the observance of the Lord's Day. The Lord has said concerning the observance of His Day the following. D&C. 59:15-23.

In as much as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful countenances, not with much laughter for that would be sin, but with a glad heart and cheerful countenance.

Verily I say that in as much as ye do this, the fullness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees, and walketh upon the earth.

Yea, and the herb and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses or for barns, or for gardens or for vineyards.

Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and gladden the heart. Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and enliven the soul.

And it pleaseth God that He hath given all these things unto man for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not in excess, neither by extortion.

And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and OBEY NOT his commandments.

Behold, this is according to the law and the prophets, wherefore trouble me no more concerning this matter.

But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.

I the Lord hath spoken it, and the spirit beareth record, Amen.

One day as I was riding on the ranch, I saw a mother Quail moving along the trail with about ten little chicks running in a line behind her. I thought what a lovely sight, each little chick was obediently running one behind the other following faithfully behind their mother. Suddenly the mother gave an urgent cluck and ducked under a protective bush. Each little chick immediately ran under her protective wings and body, just as a hungry Hawk swooped down to land on the bush. The Hawk jumped down and circled the bush waiting for any of those little chicks to panic and come out from the mother's protection. I gave a sigh of relief as I drove that hungry Hawk away. The immediate obedience of each of those little chicks saved them each from the cruel talons of the hungry Hawk. When we obey immediately and with love we are saved from the cruel talons of Satan. The Lord has given us his commandments and invites us to obey and receive the reward. If we do not obey then we must suffer the consequences. Even the loss of the reward or the blessing of obedience is punishment but we must realize that we also develop in ourselves the consequences of disobedience which effects our attitude and character.

I have seen many instances of mothers actually teaching their children disobedience rebellion and selfishness while trying to get them to obey.  Children will learn obedience if they receive the reward of attention and love for every little thing that they do that is good. If it had been necessary for the Mother Quail to repeat her warning many times and then count to three before her little ones obeyed at least one of the little ones would have been lost.

In teaching a Horse to obey the bit we must first help him to understand what is wanted. Then by gentle persuasion and repetition he can learn to obey the slightest touch and every desire. If we use force when he is not ready he becomes confused and will become angry and rebellious. Sometimes we expect children to know what we mean and be ready to obey when they really don't know what is expected of them. We need to make obedience become a pleasant experience. Sometimes they receive disapproval for what they think is obedience. Many times they get more attention for disobedience than they do for obedience so they learn disobedience. Disobedience can become a fun little game for a child. Many times they get so many negative demands that they cease to listen and get in the habit of not paying attention to what is being said. If children are threatened for disobedience with threats that they know will not be carried out, they soon learn that the parent doesn't mean what they say.

The Lord's way is the best way to teach obedience. He teaches us correct principles an lets each individual decide to accept the reward for obedience or the consequences for disobedience.

I learned very young the good feeling of love and acceptance for obedience and also the consequences for not obeying immediately when spoken to by my parents. Also I learned very young the feelings of peace and love that come from obedience to the commandments of the Lord.

We can learn obedience if we accept every call and commandment, that comes from the Lord, with a glad heart and with thanksgiving and then learn what is expected of us in that calling or commandment and then put our all into doing the best we can. We then can receive the rewards of obedience to that calling or commandment. If we decide once and for all to be obedient then we can accept automatically without having to decide each time whether to accept or not.

We can disobey by simply procrastinating our obedience or finding justification for not doing it right now. This becomes easy in the little things that are not so noticeable. Sometimes we might feel that it does not apply to us or a little disobedience doesn't matter. 

The best way to teach obedience is by example and by showing the importance of obeying each commandment. May we all teach obedience and not disobedience.