While studying Third Nephi 18, Jesus commands his disciples to bring forth bread and wine. Then he took of the bread and "blessed it" and he gave it back to the disciples for them to eat, and they gave it to the multitude (3 Nephi 18:3). Bro. Griffen elaborated on these verses saying that God's commandments always come back to bless us in some way or another. Just like the analogy of a fence that represents God's commandments, that keeps us from the dangers of sin and wickedness, commandments keep us on the strait and narrow path back to him. They are not for God's benefit, they are entirely for our protection. God's commandments are not restrictions, rather they are guidelines that help bring us freedom and happiness. "Our choice in this life is not whether we will or will not be subject to any power. Our choice is to which authority we will yield obedience: God’s or Satan’s." Which team will we suit up for? The choice isn't between obedience and freedom. Rather, our choice is whether to be obedient to God or to Satan.
"The gospel... is a plan of freedom that gives discipline to appetite and direction to behavior. This plan puts us on a path of increasing knowledge and capacity, increasing grace and light. It is the freedom to become what you can and ought to be. But for your freedom to be complete, you must be willing to give away all your sins, your willfulness, your cherished but unsound habits, perhaps even some good things that interfere with what God sees is essential for you." (D. Todd Christofferson)
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