Keep the Commandments

By Sydney S. Reynolds

“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Jesus Christ loves little children. When He lived on the earth, He blessed them. When He prayed for the Nephite children, angels ministered to them (see 3 Ne. 17). When someone loves us that much, we want to love that person back. How can we show the Lord that we love Him? Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Here are some commandments all of us can keep.

Pray

Heavenly Father hears our prayers. We can talk to Him in the morning and ask for His help during the day. We can talk to Him before going to bed and thank Him for the day’s blessings. We can pray to Heavenly Father in Jesus Christ’s name anytime, anywhere. We show our love when we pray.

Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

The Sabbath is holy to Heavenly Father, and it should be holy to us. There are many good things to do on the Sabbath; other things are better to do on other days. How do we know the difference? The key is to do only those things on the Sabbath that help us feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Wearing our best clothes and not spending money are good ways to start.

Attend Church and Take the Sacrament

When we go to church, we learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel and we take the sacrament to help us remember His Atonement. When we partake of the sacrament, we promise to keep His commandments and always remember Him. He promises us that if we do these things, we will always have His Spirit to be with us.

With the help of the Lord’s Spirit, we are able to keep the commandments even when it is hard. The scriptures promise that the Lord will provide a way for us to keep His commandments. And like Nephi and Daniel, we will have the courage to choose the right. We will find joy when we pay tithing. We will find comfort as we read the scriptures. Our faith in Jesus Christ will grow because keeping the commandments brings us closer to Him.

Sharing Time Ideas

Sing “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146–47; Tambulilit, September 1994, 10–11). Talk about the importance of knowing the commandments so we can keep them. Post the following scripture references: Alma 13:28–29 (pray); D&C 1:37 (study the scriptures); Ex. 20:8–11 (keep the Sabbath day holy); D&C 59:9–12 (attend church and take the sacrament); D&C 119:4 (pay tithing). Display the following objects: a picture of a child praying, a book of scripture, a calendar with Sabbath days circled, a sacrament cup, and a tithing envelope. Have the children look up the scriptures and place the corresponding objects next to the references. Then tell the story of Nephi going to get the brass plates (see 1 Ne. 3–4), emphasizing that the Lord provides a way to keep His commandments (see 1 Ne. 3:7). Sing “Nephi’s Courage” (Children’s Songbook, 120–21).
Explain that tithing is one-tenth of our income. Show a tithing envelope and slip. Let several children practice filling out a line on the tithing slip. Ask the children: “To whom do we give our tithing?” (the bishop or branch president or one of his counselors); “What is done with the tithing?” (it is counted carefully, recorded, and sent to Church headquarters); “What is tithing used for?” (temples, Church buildings, mission offices, schools, welfare programs, and other Church expenses). Explain that when we pay our tithing, we help build the Church all over the world. Invite the bishop or branch president to share the importance of paying tithing and the blessings we receive as we do so.

Instructions

Mount this page on heavy paper. (1) Cut out the large box and one of the figures; make slits by cutting along the dotted lines within the picture. (2) In the box under each commandment, write the correct scripture reference from the list above. (3) Fold the title and the picture up along the solid line. (4) Place your figure in the first set of slits, and anchor it by folding the top tab over. As you keep each commandment listed in the boxes, move your figure a step closer to the Savior.

Illustrated by Beth M. Whittaker

“If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments”
Pray	Study the Scriptures	Attend Church and Take the Sacrament	Keep the Sabbath Day Holy	Pay Tithing
My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I keep the commandments.
Exodus 20:8–11 [Ex. 20:8–11]	Alma 13:28–29	Doctrine and Covenants 1:37 [D&C 1:37]	Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–12 [D&C 59:9–12]	Doctrine and Covenants 119:4 [D&C 119:4]