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Commandments. freedom. or bondage?

 
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/love-and-law?lang=eng

"There is no greater evidence of the infinite power and perfection of God’s love than is declared by the Apostle John: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Another Apostle wrote that God “spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all” (Romans 8:32). Think how it must have grieved our Heavenly Father to send His Son to endure incomprehensible suffering for our sins. That is the greatest evidence of His love for each of us!"

"Mercy cannot rob justice, and those who obtain mercy are “they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment” (D&C 54:6)."

"The effect of God’s commandments and laws is not changed to accommodate popular behavior or desires. If anyone thinks that godly or parental love for an individual grants the loved one license to disobey the law, he or she does not understand either love or law. The Lord declared: “That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still” (D&C 88:35)."

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

There have been so many different times through out my life that I have found myself frustrated or suffocated by rules given to me by my loving parents. In my young adult mind I felt at times they were trying to keep me a child, that they didn't trust me and I was being restricted. Many people think of the Mormon Church as having to many rules or restrictions. But just as our loving parents give us rules and guidelines our father in heaven makes covenants with us and reaches out to us in love through giving us commandments.

  In times of despair or in times we aren't exactly living the commandments it is so easy to look at them as restrictions. As I have pulled myself out of the world and served my mission every day dedicated to Christ we live by the missionary handbook that has several sets of rules and guidelines in them. At first I found myself frustrated by these rules. I didn't understand them. Until I heard the quote "If you are almost obedient you almost get the blessing" each day i began to strive to be more and more obedient. Obviously I am far from perfect and always will have the human tendency to break and bend rules. But as I strive to live these rules and commandments given to me from my loving father in heaven i have found a great trust between him and myself. i have found a greater confidence through him and i have truly began to find myself in Christ.

  Commandments, bond? or freedom? Commandments provide such a great source of freedom. They are given to protect and to keep us safe. As I have truly began to strive to live these commandments out of love toward my heavenly father I have found myself to truly understand his nature and why he has given these laws. When we strive to live the commandments we don't experience the guilt that binds us up through sin. We are more free spiritually, indeed breaking the commandments may provide momentary fun, or acceptance. But living the commandments provides eternal joy and progression, acceptance in the life to come if you will.

 There once was a man his name was Martin Harris, he helped Joseph Smith by being a scribe through out the translation of the book of Mormon. Martin Harris had a wife who didn't trust that this was gods work and she wanted proof rather than faith. Martin Harris asked the young prophet if he could show her the proof. Joseph Smith prayed and asked heavenly father a few times if he could do so the first couple times he received the answer of no. Martin was not satisfied with this so he asked Joseph to ask again. This time heavenly father allowed him to show his wife and a few other people. I believe it was 5. Day by day Martin showed others these papers. On these papers were the first pages of the book of Mormon which contained things that the prophet lehi had been keeping a record of. 

 Martin then broke the news to Joseph Smith and Joseph thought that his soul was lost. If only he had listened to Heavenly Father the first time. Our heavenly father loves us and knew this would happen and we have to book of nephi to make up for it, because nephi was obedient to keeping the lords commandments he didn't know why he was writing these things except heavenly father commanded him to for a future use. Martin Harris was unable to scribe and some time later Oliver Cowdrey came into the picture and the began translating again.

 Just as it was easy for martin to day by day show another person the pages it is easy for us to day by day step off track. We receive answers from our father in heaven at times in ways we aren't pleased with so we continue in asking until his will is in line with ours, rather than ours in line with his. Before we know it, it is easy to become lost.

 Heavenly Father loves us. He knows how to fix us when we are broken, he gives us these commandments for greater protection so that we wont be lost, damaged or hurt. Through these commandments comes happiness, peace, freedom of conscience, and ever lasting life in the kingdom of god.

 The savior once said if you love me keep my commandments. Those who don't keep these commandments don't understand the savior or their love for him. I have been there. I thought i loved the savior. But if i loved him i wouldn't want to hurt him through breaking these laws he set up for us. The same goes for following the rules my parents would set up for me. They weren't ever there to suffocate, to bind or to hold me back. But to give me strength, freedom, and happiness. I have learned the greatest expression of love and gratitude for my savior comes through following these laws that were established by a loving heavenly father. To give back to him an inkling of what he did for me, can only be done in service to others and following his commands.

 I know that no greater joy comes from that then living by the word of god. I know that he loves us. I know that he lives. I know that Joseph smith is indeed the prophet of the restoration, i know that the book of Mormon is true. It is a love letter from god, our own personal road map home to him. I love this gospel Jesus Christ has set up. I love the peace it brings to my soul in times of happiness and in times of trial. the scriptures have the power to heal the wounded soul. I know that because they have healed mine. The savior knows how to mend us when we are broken. I love my savior. I love being a missionary. And i love my family :)

and i am a Mormon ;)