April 24

Why Does God Give Us Commandments?

Exodus 18–20

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. What recent experiences have brought us closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• Care for those in need. Has someone recently moved into our ward or joined the Church? How can we help them feel welcome?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. Are there any activities coming up that we can invite our friends to attend?

• Unite families for eternity. What efforts can we make to record our personal histories?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Reading Exodus 20 might prompt you to think about why we have commandments. Some people see commandments as restrictive or as an attempt to control us. But because we know that God is a loving Father, we can trust that His laws are for our good, even if we don’t always know the reasons for them. He has promised us that we can know His commandments are true when we live them (see John 7:17).

President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Because the Father and the Son love us with infinite, perfect love and because They know we cannot see everything They see, They have given us laws that will guide and protect us. There is a strong connection between God’s love and His laws” (“The Love and Laws of God” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 17, 2019], 2, speeches.byu.edu).

Why are you grateful for the commandments? What would you like members of your class or quorum to understand about why God has given us commandments? You can prepare to teach by reviewing Exodus 20 and President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “Loving Others and Living with Differences” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 25–28).

We can know that God’s commandments are true when we live them.

Learn Together

To help class or quorum members review the Ten Commandments, you could ask them to list as many of these commandments as they can from memory. If they need help, they could look in Exodus 20:3–17. Why does God give us commandments? To help answer this question, they might discuss a few of the Ten Commandments in small groups. How can living these commandments help us find happiness and draw closer to God? The following ideas can help those you teach learn more about why God gives us commandments.

• The scriptures contain answers to the question “Why does God give us commandments?” You could invite class or quorum members to look for answers in one or more of the scriptures found in “Supporting Resources.” Then ask them to share something they found. They could also watch the following videos looking for insights: “Instructions Included,” “Why Does God Give Us Commandments?” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• To help class or quorum members understand why God gives us commandments, you might compare having commandments from God to experiences they can relate to. For instance, you could ask them to imagine that they are riding along a mountain road near a steep cliff and there is a fence along the side of the road. Ask them to discuss with another person questions like the following: How are God’s commandments like the fence? How has obeying the commandments blessed us? What other comparisons can help us understand why God gives us commandments and why we should obey them? For some examples, you could invite them to review one of the messages or videos found in “Supporting Resources.” Ask them to share the comparisons they find and discuss what they learn.

• Your discussion may lead class or quorum members to discuss how we should treat those who do not believe or live some commandments. You might invite them to look for counsel in President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “Loving Others and Living with Differences.” You might ask questions like these: How should we treat those who choose to live differently than we do? How can we see the good in others when they make different choices than we do?

Act in Faith

Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Supporting Resources

• Deuteronomy 10:12–13; Alma 36:30; Doctrine and Covenants 1:24–28; 82:8–10; 93:20, 28; 130:18–21 (Why God gives us commandments)

• Jeffrey R. Holland, “We Are All Enlisted” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 44–47; see also the video “Stay within the Lines”); Richard G. Scott, “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 40–42; see also the video “A Secure Anchor”); Von G. Keetch, “Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 115–17; see also the video with the same title)

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

“In your efforts to live and teach more like the Savior, you will inevitably fall short at times. Do not become discouraged; rather, let your mistakes and weaknesses turn you to Heavenly Father and the Savior” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 14).