Modern Commandments: The Scriptures

"Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled." Doctrine and Covenants 1:37

"He is not here: for he is risen..."

In this world, there are many things which we can see and discover for ourselves. For those things that aren't so easily accessible, we can find the answers to our questions in books. Through records compiled by scientists and historians, we can learn more about the world and times that we love and live in. However, not all books are equal. Some of them can be filled with misconceptions or total falsehoods.

When it comes to things of God and eternity, we only have one real source for truth; the scriptures. Through the scriptures, we can learn about God and his servants, the Prophets. We can learn how to overcome challenges, escape temptation, and discover eternal happiness with God and his son, Jesus Christ.

Why are the Scriptures important?

Everything that we can learn about God's plan for us is contained in the Scriptures. The Scriptures are ancient records written by prophets, or men called by God to represent Him. The Book of Mormon explains that prophets "...talk of Christ... rejoice in Christ... preach of Christ... prophesy of Christ, and... write according to [their] prophecies." The primary purpose of the scriptures is to testify that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. The Holy Bible contains the record of Jesus Christ's ministry and atonement, The Book of Mormon stands alongside the Holy Bible to reveal God's Plan of Salvation, and The Doctrine and Covenants helps us understand what God expects from us today.

In addition to bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, the scriptures also reveal the commandments to us, which are the key to finding peace and avoiding heartache. The scriptures help us "consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God," by showing us the examples of men and women who held onto them with steadfast faith. They help us take the commandments and learn, live, and love them.

The scriptures are also an immense source of spiritual strength. Regular scripture study solves problems, uplifts our thoughts, and gives us a connection to heaven than can only be severed by our own negligence.

How should I begin reading the Scriptures?

The Scriptures are not written like other books; this was something I realized fairly quickly when I was young. The grammar is unusual, the descriptions are sometimes abstract, and the names still continue to baffle me. I've learned however, that the best way to learn how to read them effectively is to simply begin reading them! To me, the best place to begin studying the Scriptures is with The Book of Mormon. It is the most consistently translated out of all of the Scriptures, it focuses on the basic principles of the gospel like Faith and Baptism, and it bears testimony of the truths in The Holy Bible. A testimony of The Book of Mormon gives us knowledge of all other scriptures.

"Answers to the questions of the soul."

Ideas for Application.

Study and practice the pronouns used in the Scriptures.
The scriptures are difficult to understand because they were also written long ago in different languages. A lot of the grammar that sounds strange in English, makes perfect sense in Hebrew, Arabic, or Greek. Using this unusual grammar is also a way to show God greater respect, because it is so detached from the casualty and slang of today.

Here are a few of the basic phrases in the Scriptures:

Thee, Thou, & Ye = You
Thy & Thine = Your
Art = Are
And it came to pass = And then...

Search, ponder, and pray.
The most effective way to study the scriptures involves a simple, three step pattern. We search the scriptures for answers to questions or challenges, we quietly ponder what the passages we find mean to us, and then we pray for extra wisdom from God. It really is simple, but effective.

Christ's Commandments: The Greatest Commandment; Love

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." John 15:12

"Greater love hath no man than this..."

The courts of temple were fuller than usual. People normally gathered whenever Jesus Christ was reaching, but this gathering was different. The Jews gathered together, not only to see the rumored messiah, but also to hear the furious accusations of the Pharisees, who were determined to destroy Him.

Their plan was simple, if they asked Jesus Christ some of their most controversial questions, they could get Him to offend part of the crowd and turn the people against Him. Their plan would have succeeded against any other man, but Christ was wiser than all of them. "Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?" He asked.

Perhaps we should be thankful for their questions. Their every accusation opened the savior's store of wisdom yet again. Finally frustrated, one Pharisee asked, "Master, Which is the great commandment in the law?" Rather than study the commandments to grow closer to God, they studied to discover loopholes in them. The idea of the commandments having a hierarchy of importance where some could be ignored, appealed to the Pharisees.

Christ's answer still rings across the ages. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." In this thirty second sermon, Jesus Christ established the perfect summary of what God expects of us. The commandments weren't just rules anymore, they were a means to an end. That end is love.

Love is the End and the Beginning of the Commandments

Jesus Christ taught that love was the principle which upheld all of the commandments. Whoever loved God the most would obey His commandments the most. An increase in obedience to the commandments gives us greater love for God, which in turn gives us more of a desire to obey. Thus, if we increase our obedience to the commandments, we will create a self-fueling desire to improve our lives, escape destructive habits, and maintain happiness no matter what our circumstances may be.

Beyond increasing our love for God, God will fill our lives with blessings if we are obedient. The Book of Mormon teaches this principle best: "I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." We can see from the scriptures that God rewards us far beyond what we 'earn' through obedience.

To love God with all of our effort and to love men like ourselves is difficult, but essential if we want to experience the blessings God has in store for us. The importance of charity (the pure love of Christ) is expressed by Paul in the Holy Bible. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."

"Our love grows as the commandments color who we are

In short, the commandments are all about love. Our love for God and our neighbor will naturally lead us to apply the commandments to our lives. As long as we're seeking to increase in love and understanding, we will draw closer and closer to achieving all of God's commandments.

I have experienced this love in my life already. I know that God has been good to me and he has blessed me for the commandments I have already mastered. I know that He is supporting me day by day and He will continue to support me, even until the day I pass from this life and see his face, and know that He is my God and my Heavenly Father.

The Ten Commandments: No Other Gods (Revised)

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."  Exodus 20:3

"Exodus, the original Mission Impossible."

The exodus was already in progress. The Israelite nation had been freed from the slavery of Egypt, their cruel masters had been drowned in the depths of the red sea, and now they were being lead to Canaan, the land of their inheritance.

Their leader was a man named Moses. In the past, he had been a mere shepherd, but God had bigger plans in store for him. He saw the presence of God within the burning bush, he talked to God face to face, like one man speaks to another, and he unleashed God's wonders on the land of Egypt. His mission was simple, he was supposed to bring the children of Israel home.

Then one day, Moses received an incredible message from God Himself. "I come unto thee in a thick cloud," He said. "...that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever." This news must have excited Moses. Finally, they would know for certain that he had seen God. "I will visit them in three days." God continued. "Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai."

And He sure did. On the third day, God descended on the mountain and it caught fire. Moses brought his people to the base of Mount Sinai, where they saw God's eternal glory. They knew now, without a doubt, that God was their leader. "I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." He said. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

And so it began. God wanted to transform a congregation of slaves into a nation worthy of representing His name. That change could only come from new-found wisdom, and so, God revealed The Ten Commandments. These Commandments were designed to uplift and strengthen mankind, to lead their civilizations, and guide them home to God's presence.

Who is God exactly?

God, very simply, is the Father of all Mankind. He created man in His own image and He views us with a paternal regard. He is unchanging and trustworthy, and His objective on this earth is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

One belief that is fairly common is the belief in the Trinity, which is that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are the same being, just with separate roles and forms. I find this doctrine hard to relate to. If God and Jesus Christ are the same being, why is Christ always praying to Himself? How can The Holy Ghost descend upon Himself while the voice of God the Father declares that He is His Own Begotten Son? Either God is a incomprehensible being with no sort of relation to mankind or we should trust the words of God Himself when he declares that Jesus Christ is His Son.

The commandment to have no other Gods before Him, means to place our loyalties in God. When He appeared to Moses and the Israelites on Mount Sinai, they knew without a doubt that their God was The True and Living God. From that point on, God made a promise with His people. If they would obey His Commandments and worship Him, He would make them a holy nation and give them eternal life. In essence He said, "Follow Me, and I will make you my children." Later on, when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to the earth, He repeated that same Commandment, "Follow Me." The Holy Ghost also gives us that same commandment, "Follow Me." Having no other Gods before Him, means to follow His example and dedicate ourselves to Him.

How Should We View Other World Religions?

I believe that the worship of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost is the center source of truth in this world. Through Jesus Christ and His teachings we can enjoy all of the attributes of godliness, happiness, and peace. In addition to Jesus Christ and His servants, there are many other religious figures on this earth who taught their people principles of love and godliness. They wanted to bring brighter color to their cultures. I believe that these men were taught true principles directly from God himself. I believe that any serious differences between faiths were started by men long after these leaders had lived and died. 

Once we have gained a testimony of Jesus Christ, we are expected to devote ourselves to him. I believe that in the last days, many people of all nations, cultures, and faiths will be brought to Jesus Christ by the principles of righteousness that they already follow. This is what I feel that God expects us to do concerning other beliefs. He wants us to befriend them, honor and defend their true principles, and invite them to learn of Jesus Christ. Perhaps the biggest blessing from following this commandment is that we won't have to compromise either our faith or our learning. We will be able to learn of other faiths and consider their truths from a perspective founded on Jesus Christ and his Atonement. We will understand how these religions fit into God's plan for His Children and we will be able to coexist with them.

"Looking for God? Maybe he's in His house!"

Ideas To Live This Commandment

Pray for a Testimony of Jesus Christ
Once we know that Jesus Christ is the savior, we receive direct access to the source of all truth. We can receive that testimony through prayer. I personally feel that The Book of Mormon explains the process best, "I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:4-5)

Modern Commandments: The Word of Wisdom

"I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation..." Doctrine and Covenants 89:4

"Be glad that we don't need to say no to bacon"

In the process of restoring the Church of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith established what he called The School of the Prophets. It was a special doctrinal class for the men whom he had called to be modern Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Joseph was a Prophet, a chosen servant of the Lord, but he needed the Apostles to be prepared for their duties.

When Joseph stepped into the class, he was usually greeted by a cloud of smoke. Some of the Apostles smoked, some of them chewed, but nearly all of them used tobacco of some form. Joseph would watch as they lit their pipes, grabbed another wad, and then began discussing the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Something about that struck Joseph as strange...

At some point during those days, Joseph heard from his wife, Emma. They had been holding The School of The Prophets in the upper floor of their store and it had fallen to Emma's responsibility to clean the room. "Joseph, our floor is stained with tobacco, and I can hardly breathe in this smoke. What do you think the Lord thinks of this?" This question must have surprised Joseph. Smoking was common practice in those days, so he may never have considered what the Lord thought of it before. "Perhaps I should ask." He decided.

Thus was the Word of Wisdom revealed to the World. God had revealed health related commandments before, but never had He revealed one specially adapted to the modern days. "In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation..."

What is The Word of Wisdom?

The Word of Wisdom is God's standard for what our bodies should consume. A central part of our purpose in being born was to gain a body. Our bodies and spirits are interconnected, strength in one can lead to strength in the other and vice versa, and so it's important to understand how to best take care of our bodies.

God has revealed that alcohol and tobacco are not meant to be consumed. He has also revealed that coffee and tea are not good for our bodies. Prophets after Joseph Smith further explained that we need to avoid any substance that alters or harms our body and mind or creates dependency within us.

Beyond these warnings, God also revealed several positive health principles. Grains and fruits were divinely approved. Meat was also approved, but it was to be consumed sparingly.  God revealed alternate uses for alcohol and tobacco (one as a cleansing agent, the other for bruises). He then explained that all who obey the Word of Wisdom will receive improved health, treasures of knowledge, increased strength, and will be spared from the destroying angel.

Why Should I Follow The Word of Wisdom?

The reasons for following the Word of Wisdom are fairly visible. The substances mentioned in the Word of Wisdom are addictive and end up weakening our freedom to choose. They also damage our body and make it more difficult to feel God's love and influence. Despite these obvious blessings and cursings, people choose not to believe in it. I have been asked many times why God would care if they drunk, smoke, etc. I believe that this doubt comes because people become afraid of being held accountable for their habits. Satan tells people that they can't quit, that they aren't strong enough to quit, or that they're better off not trying. He tries to convince them that they should just get comfortable smoking or drinking because they're stuck.

Most concerns about The Word of Wisdom are founded on misunderstandings or lies from the adversary. Here are some of the false ideas that Satan tries to plant in our hearts and why they're completely wrong.

If I relapse, I've failed!
From my personal experience with dealing with habits, I know that God is patient with us, even after moments of weakness. Overcoming addiction is a lot like riding a bike, when we start out we're going to fall a few times, but that's not going to disqualify us. As long as we're trying our best, we will improve. As we improve, we will fall less often and our falls will be safer (less significant). As long as we're doing our best to stay on balance, God will support and be pleased with our efforts. The only time God is displeased with us when dealing with addiction is when we choose to simply give up trying.

I'm going to be addicted forever!
Not really. After quitting, the physical cravings eventually leave. All we have to do after that is avoid the temptation to "give addiction another try." As long as we avoid situations where we could be pressured into returning to our old habits, we will have no reason or desire to return.

I'm not strong enough to quit!
It doesn't matter how strong we are, because we have an ally in fighting addiction. No matter who we are or what we struggle with, Jesus Christ has atoned for us all! His strength does not come all at once, but as long as we do our best and pray for His help, He will give us the strength to escape. All we need is the desire to quit and faith in Jesus Christ and His redeeming power.

"Deligious!"

Ideas for Living This Commandment

Learn more about these substances
One of the most effective ways to increase our desire to quit is to learn more about the substances we use. How do they effect our bodies? What about the substance is addictive?

Consider attending the Addiction Recovery Program
The Church has an incredible addiction recovery program which combines the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Working in a private group can be very helpful if we've been frustrated trying to quit on our own. The program can be viewed at www.mormonchannel.org.

See my post on Idolatry for more ideas
Addiction and Idolatry are very similar challenges. Learning more about avoiding Idolatry can help us overcome Addiction and vice versa. We should always remember that God will help us if we let Him.

Christ's Commandments: Baptism

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5

"Fulfill all righteousness."

Late one evening, Jesus Christ had a visitor. A man named Nicodemus had heard of Christ's miracles and teachings, and he wanted to meet Him. He recognized that Jesus had to be a man of God, for no evil man could do the good He was doing.

Nicodemus must have been excited for his personal interview with Jesus, but little did he know, he was the one going to be interviewed. In solemn simplicity, Christ declared that a man could not enter God's kingdom without being born of water and the spirit. Nicodemus was shocked, the common belief of the time was that Baptism was not needed for the Jews (God's first covenant people), but Jesus Christ declared that it was an essential requirement for all people! Even Christ Himself, being the only incorruptible man on the earth, chose to be baptized so that He could "fulfill all righteousness."

Several thousand years have past since Jesus Christ's life. Baptism is still a central part of Christianity, but some Christian groups no longer believe that it's necessary for salvation. Nevertheless, Christ's words to Nicodemus still stand.

Why is Baptism Essential for Eternal Life?

Baptism is the first ordinance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. An ordinance is simply a sacred ceremony where we make a promise with God. When we make a promise with God, He sets the terms and we're free to hold to our promise and receive the blessings, or neglect our promise and be held accountable. The greatest blessings God has in store for us can only be received when we make promises to Him and Baptism is the first of these promises we can make.

Baptism is essential for several reasons. When we're baptized by the priesthood authority of God, the sins of the past are washed away. This is not just a one time cleansing, but a continual cleansing that we renew every time we take The Sacrament worthily. Baptism is also one of God's Commandments for us. Christ was baptized because He knew it was God's will and He was willing to obey all of God's Commandments.

Although being baptized at all shows God our desire to follow Him, God has specific standards for those who want to fulfill His Commandments. To be baptized according to God's standards, He requires that we work to give up our knowingly sinful behaviors and follow Jesus Christ until the end of our lives. He also requires that the person baptizing us needs to have the Priesthood, which is authority and power from God to baptize. Without that authority, we can't be cleansed from sin or fulfill God's Commandment to be baptized.

What Happens to People Who Die Before Being Baptized?

Jesus Christ teaches that Baptism is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God, however, most of the people who have lived on the earth never had the chance to be baptized, let alone by the Priesthood. In order to give everyone the opportunity to be saved, God has established an ordinance called "Baptism for the Dead." Baptism for the Dead means that faithful members of The Church can be baptized in the Temple for their dead ancestors and for people of other faiths. Once the work has been done for them, the spirits of the dead have the decision whether to accept that Baptism or not.

Although God has prepared this wonderful safety net, we should not use this as a reason to be slothful. Baptism for the Dead is for those who never had a chance to be Baptized by the Priesthood. If we know without a doubt that Baptism is necessary for us, but neglect our responsibility and aren't baptized, we will not receive a second chance.

"It only takes five seconds."

Ideas For Living This Commandment

We should all repent and be baptized! If we've been baptized, we need to take The Sacrament and renew that promise with God! If we do this, we will be cleansed from our sins and be free from that burden. We will discover a better life with Christ and we will have greater motivation to follow Him.

If you are concerned in any way at all about your baptism or are interested in being baptized by the Priesthood, come to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I've received a witness of the Priesthood, and I know that you can receive this witness too.

Christ's Commandments: The Sacrament

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins..."
Matthew 26:28

"No, I'm not literally feeding you with flesh and blood, it's symbolic."

The Last Supper may have been the most uncomfortable dinner party in history. It all began when Jesus Christ asked His Disciples to find a room to celebrate the Passover feast in. They must have been excited, but they quickly learned that this was going to be no cozy meal. Jesus announced that He would soon be betrayed to His death. All of the Apostles were saddened by this news except for Judas, who was more annoyed that Jesus knew what he was planning.

It was in this solemn atmosphere that Jesus decided to begin the real meal of the occasion. He shredded a loaf of bread and then, after the Apostles ate from it, He passed around a cup of wine. This, He declared, was the "blood of the new testament," or the new promise which they would make with God. It was a symbol designed to remind them of His death and the meaning it would have for the world. Ever since that fateful night, Christians all over the world have continued that essential supper, hoping to remember Christ and the price that He paid soon after it was finished.

Why Do Christians Still Eat and Drink The Sacrament?

The Sacrament (sometimes also called Communion) is a symbol of Jesus Christ and His Sacrifice. It's a reminder of His sacrifice in The Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross. Jesus Christ's sacrifice and later return to life is called The Atonement, and it's the only way to be reconciled with God. Thus, eating The Sacrament is a way to express gratitude for Jesus Christ's sacrifice.

Jesus Christ explained that The Sacrament is necessary to receiving eternal life. "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:54)" After His death and Resurrection, the Apostle Paul added a solemn warning about The Sacrament. "...let a man examine himself... For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (1 Corintians 28-29)" It is clear in The Holy Bible that The Sacrament is extremely important, but it doesn't explain how.

Fortunately, there was another people Christ taught about The Sacrament. They lived on the opposite side of the world, far out of the knowledge of the Jewish people. They kept their own record, which is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. That record was The Book of Mormon.

What Does The Book of Mormon Teach About The Sacrament?

The Nephite people were living on the American continent around the time of Christ's death. They had prophets of their own who taught them the Commandments and testified of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. After Christ's death, a massive storm struck the American continent and covered the land with darkness. After His Resurrection and work among the Jews was complete, Christ Himself appeared to the Nephites and revealed His Gospel to them. While He visited them, He further explained many elements of His gospel, including Baptism and The Sacrament.

Jesus Christ explained: "...[The Sacrament] doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you. And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you." (3 Nephi 18:10-11)

The Book of Mormon reveals the connection between Baptism and The Sacrament. When we are baptized by priesthood authority,  we make a promise to God to obey His Commandments and do our best to live a good life. With baptism comes the promise that as long as we're worthy, we can always have The Holy Spirit with us. The full purpose of The Sacrament is to renew the promise made at Baptism, which cleanses us from sin and allows us to always have the Holy Spirit's guidance. With this context, we can better understand The New Testament scriptures. The Sacrament is essential for eternal life because it is how keep our remission of sins after Baptism. Paul's warning about The Sacrament was for people who were baptized, but no longer met the basic standards for Baptism.

"Oh, it's symbolic!"

Ideas for Living This Commandment

Repent and be Baptized!
Baptism is what starts us on the journey to eternal happiness. Without being Baptized, The Sacrament can't purify us or fill us with the Holy Spirit.

Attend Church Regularly and Take The Sacrament
When we make that consistent effort each week to take The Sacrament, we show Jesus Christ that we want to follow His example. We receive that refreshing spirit, which braces us and prepares us for the trials and challenges of the week.

Visit The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
When we need a doctor or a police officer, we hope they have authority and that they are properly trained for their job. Likewise, when we take The Sacrament, we hope that the men blessing and passing it are authorized servants of Jesus Christ. The Sacrament always reminds us of Jesus Christ, but there's something special about it when it's blessed and passed by God's Priesthood authority. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only church on earth today that has the Priesthood and that authority invites a special spirit into the meeting. I would invite everyone to come and experience that feeling for themselves. I know you will be impressed with what you experience.

The Ten Commandments: The Name of God

"Thou Shalt Not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." Exodus 20:7

"It's not God's fault if you stub your toe."

As God continued to reveal The Ten Commandments, He shifted his focus from who his people worshiped to how. As their law giver and Father, God instructed the Israelite people not to use His name lightly, with the ominous warning that those who did would not be held guiltless.

Jesus Christ further explained this Commandment during His Sermon on the Mount. Referring to practice of swearing by God's name, He said: "Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool... Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matthew 5:33-37.

Today, it is growing more and more difficult to find somebody who won't take God's name in vain.

Why Is It So Bad to Disrespect God's name?

What we say changes who we become. It influences our behavior, our feelings, and our thoughts. The words somebody could say about us may upset us and bother us, but the things we say about them can affect us so much more. As the Savior once said, "...that which goeth into the mouth [doesn't defile] a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." We can defile our opinion of others with sarcasm, criticism, and speaking badly of them. This is why I feel that this commandment is so important.

God wants to have a loving relationship with us. He wants us to not only obey Him, but to love Him and be loved in return. When we say disrespectful things about God, we damage our relationship with Him. We hinder our desire to know Him and to follow Him. A lack of respect for God's name makes every single commandment more difficult to obey, and so we often loose the blessings we should have received!

In addition to God's name, we should be very cautious in using biblical terms such as Damn or Hell. If we use these words to condemn others, how can we expect God to not use them to condemn us? We must also never use vulgar terms which degrade the Human body, for when we do, we are also degrading God's body in our eyes. In short, we should avoid saying anything that can create disrespect towards God, our body, or our fellow man.

"You said what? To whom? That's Disgusting!"

Ideas to Follow This Commandment

I wouldn't recommend starting a swear jar. That leads to an awkward moment when you're able to pay off debt because of the money you saved swearing like a sailor.

Give Ourselves time to think before reacting
Sometimes swearing comes in when we react to something, like a stubbed toe. If the time comes when we find ourselves on the verge of dropping bombs, we need to clamp our mouths shut. If we can give ourselves at least five seconds to think about what we're going to say, we'll be able to correct our language before it escapes our mouths.

Think about what we're actually saying
I think a lot of the time, we use swears "just for emphasis" without actually considering what we're saying. If we think about our language, we may realize that we've been saying some creepy, gross stuff. That horrible realization alone could straighten up our talk.

Modern Commandments: Pray Always

"Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work." Doctrine & Covenants 10:5

Prayer is known to lead to blessings.

Praying has always been one of the most important ways to connect with God. We can increase in spirituality through scripture study and gospel discussions, but we as human beings are social creatures. We naturally want to talk to each other and God feels the same way.

In the scriptures, we read many stories of prophetic men who didn't just talk to God, but they talked with God. When God declared that a wicked city would be destroyed, Abraham negotiated with the Lord to spare his friend Lot. When God declared that the Isrealites would be destroyed for their rebellion, Moses begged Him to lighten their punishment. I've always been amazed by those early prophets in The Holy Bible, because talking to God was so natural to them. Their personal relationships with God gave them a lot of faith and trust.

God wants all of us to have a personal relationship with Him. Although there is no record of God specifically commanding people to pray in The Holy Bible, it is clear that it is God's will that we should watch and pray always.

How Can I Have a Personal Relationship With God?

Depending on what we understand about God, this could be difficult. The belief that God is a formless spirit doesn't inspire much confidence in having a personal relationship; neither does the belief that God is three beings at the same time. I believe that God is human like us, although he has greater power, intelligence, and glory than we do. I believe that He is our literal Father in Heaven and that His central desire is to bring us long term happiness. I also believe that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God and our older brother in this life.

When we recognize that God is not only a person, but our Heavenly Father, our desire to know Him increases. We become more interested in learning who he is and what he wants for us. We become more spiritual because we see God as He truly is, a loving Father who wants the best for all of His Children. This perspective helps us relate more to Him and it makes a personal relationship possible.

How Can I Feel Comfortable Praying?

Nobody feels comfortable at first. However, when we know who God is and what He wants for us, praying becomes a lot easier.  Prayer is no ritual, it's literally socializing with God! When we talk to Him just like we would any other person, He can answer us more easily. Imagine how frustrating it can be to talk to someone who doesn't quietly listen while you speak, or to talk to somebody who only repeats the same things over and over. It would be very frustrating and you probably wouldn't want to talk to that person again. That's why it's so important to talk naturally with God.

Here's a simple outline that shows what a comfortable prayer looks like.

• We begin by addressing Our Father by Name.
• Then, we talk to Him like we would any other person. We can express our feelings, ask for support, confess mistakes that we've made, ask Him for forgiveness, and ask Him questions, which He will answer in His own way.
• Then, we close in the Name of Jesus Christ. We make sure to close in the Name of Jesus Christ to express gratitude for Him and His Father's sacrifice. We say Amen at the end of the prayer because that's a word that expresses that our prayer was sincere.

I've found several ways to improve the sincerity my prayers. One of them is to find a quiet place where we can pray out-loud without interruption. I've found closets to be a great location, especially during the calmer parts of the day. I also like to pray in a posture of reverence. It seems like the standard is to kneel with a bowed head and folded arms, but the position is not as important as simply making sure that we're being respectful to God. Finally, when I want to feel God's love the most, I focus on being thankful rather than making constant demands. In these ways, we can show God that we love Him more, so that He will show us His love.

Ideas For Living This Commandment

Prayer is all about making a time and place.

At Night, Pray before you get Tired
It's important to pray before you go to bed, but it's difficult to have a sincere prayer when you're tired. The need for sleep can lead you to either skip praying or say an uninterested prayer just to get it over with. If you pray in the evening just before you begin to get tired, you will be able to not only get to bed when you want, but also receive God's assurance that He will watch over you.

In the Morning, Pray just as you Wake Up
Unlike in the evening, where you want to avoid praying while tired, you should pray right when you wake up. That initial prayer will invigorate you and help you start your day with a positive attitude.

The Ten Commandments: Any Graven Image

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image..." Exodus 20:4

Imagine this plated in gold. Would you worship it?

Immediately after explaining Israel's obligation to worship Him, God decreed that they should avoid idolatry at all costs. Even as He declared the commandment, He knew that the future history of Israel would be stained by the evils caused by idolatry. Kings would fall, rebellions would arise, abominations would cover the land, and in the end the kingdom of Israel would collapse because of it. He knew and solemnly warned the people that Idolatry would bring destruction to their descendants who continued to practice it. His warnings were solemn and final.

However, it didn't take long for Israel to falter. Moses, who was God's representative, left them alone for forty days. By the time he had returned to their camp, they had already invented a golden calf to worship. Moses was furious. He invented the expression to "break the commandments" by smashing the tablets God had given him against the ground. He then proceeded to destroy the idol in the most extravagant method possible. "And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it." Exodus 32:20

Does This Commandment Even Apply Anymore?

How it applies depends on the culture. Some faiths involve special shrines or images that they worship. They could represent God or an ancestor. However, even in cultures without this form of worship, idolatry is still one of the most common practices around. The problem hasn't changed, but its form sure has. Idolatry has gone digital!

It only takes a single search on Google Images to see that Idolatry is alive and well. Celebrities have ascended far beyond healthy fame to become world-wide obsessions, fictional characters have become more influential than many real life people, and the name of Jesus Christ has become hidden behind heroes who imitate His feats without any sort of saving power. Idolatry used to be limited to certain religions, but in this digital age, idolatry is everywhere and almost nobody is exempt. Today, the challenge isn't avoiding Idolatry, it's getting out of it!

So yes, this commandment still applies; it's one of the most overlooked and yet, one of the hardest to live.

What Is Modern Idolatry?

This is how I would explain Idolatry. God has his own personal throne in all of our hearts where He helps manage our lives (not a literal throne, don't be so silly). Everything's fine until something or someone boots God out of His seat. God is our Heavenly Father, so when a idol replaces Him, that becomes our father! Many of the bizarre and disturbing problems in this world (people who think they're dogs or cats, for example) come from idolatry changing their perspective of who they are. If you want a powerful example of this, consider pornography. This poisonous cocktail of lust and idolatry will stain every aspect of life with darkness. People have already observed that most of the crime in the world begins from normal people viewing pornography. Gambling and hoarding also come to my mind as prime examples of how frustrating and addictive idolatry is.

The key to all of this is that throne in our hearts (the metaphorical one).Who is sitting there? If God is already sitting there, we need to keep Him there. If He's not though, we need find out what is on His throne and boot it off! But how do we do that? How can we possibly overcome ingrained idolatry? The solution might actually be simpler that we think.

Whenever any form of image or sensory enters our brain, our brain initially believes it, and then labels it as either real or fictional. Thus, even if we know something isn't real, it still has an effect on us. We can literally change who we are by changing what we view. Changes as simple as viewing more images of God and reading the scriptures more often can slide Him back onto His throne and restore our perspective. We can break free from the sorrows of idolatry and enjoy the company of "The True and Living God, Jesus Christ"

Ideas To Live This Commandment

Don't let Idolatry distract us from what matters most in life.

Watch out for Repetition
Usually when something becomes an idol to us, we end up viewing or using it over and over. Let's take Facebook for an example. Ever had those days where you checked your Facebook over four times in a half hour? Nothing is different, but you just have to check! The best way to escape the idolatry loop is to step back and take a break. Do something you haven't done in a while, like reading a book or visiting with your family.

Participate in more Spiritual Activities
We can place God back on His throne by spending more time with Spiritual Activities. This is how I look at it, the more time we give God, the happier we'll be during our remaining time. Activities like fervent prayer, scripture study, and church attendance bring us closer to God and place Him back on His Throne in our hearts. We will have a happier thought process and receive the constant blessings of loving God more than Idols. We will see ourselves as Children of God with divine potential rather than as servants to vain fantasies.

Consider all of the Consequences
If we're struggling with Idolatry, we can increase our desire to escape it by considering the consequences that come from it. Am I willing to create tension in my family, just to play this violent game? Am I willing to sacrifice the peace in my family, just to do meth? Usually when we consider the consequences, we discover that Idols cost far much more than they're worth. This method can help us keep our lives from being thrown out of balance by Idolatry.