Doctrinal Mastery

Love and Commandments

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15.

If

The word if introduces a conditional proposition. An if-statement sets conditions; a then-statement follows, representing a consequence. “If a, then b” basically means, “Supposing that a is true, b will also be true.”

Ye love me

The Savior declared:

To love God = the first great commandment

See Matthew 22:37–38.

Keep

To keep the commandments means to know them, to observe them, to do them, and to cherish them. There are many promises linked to keeping the Lord’s commandments. Here are just a few:

• “[A] blessed and happy state” (Mosiah 2:41).

• “Mercy” (Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10).

• “Length of days, and long life, and peace” (Proverbs 3:1–2).

• “Peace in this world” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23).

• “The Holy Ghost” (Acts 5:32).

• “[To] abide in [the Savior’s] love” (John 15:10).

• “Eternal life” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7).

• “[To] receive of [the Father’s] fulness” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:20).

My commandments

Commandments:

• Are laws or rules God gives because He loves us and wants us to become like Him.

• Are given through prophets (see Doctrine and Covenants 1:24).

• Play a major role in Heavenly Father’s plan in this life (see Abraham 3:25).

• Are always possible to keep, because the Lord prepares a way (see 1 Nephi 3:7).

“Will you not love Him who first loved you [see 1 John 4:19]? Then keep His commandments [see John 14:15]. Will you not be a friend to Him who laid down His life for His friends [see John 15:13]? Then keep His commandments [see John 15:14]. Will you not abide in His love and receive all that He graciously offers you? Then keep His commandments [see John 15:10].”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Oct. 2016 general conference.