I try hard to strictly obey whatever counsel I’m given, and if I find that something goes against counsel given by the prophet and apostles, I try not to do it.

I suppose some would call this blind obedience. But it isn’t blind obedience to me because blind obedience implies that you’re obedient without knowing why you’re obedient. But I know exactly why I’m obedient. It’s because life experiences have taught me that when I’m obedient, I’m blessed, I have the spirit in greater abundance and I feel more peace regardless of the situation I find myself in.

So why wouldn’t I choose to do whatever the prophet and apostles counseled no matter what? If I’ve learned that every time I’m obedient, I’m blessed, then what reason could there possibly be to not be obedient? Do I want to forfeit blessings? Do I want to forfeit a greater measure of the spirit? Do I want to forfeit peace regardless of the situation I face?

Not in the slightest.

Ryan Comer, Standard-Examiner

I also want to be prepared to meet the Savior someday, whether that be after my death or through His eventual return during His Second Coming, and I feel like the more obedient I am, the more prepared I will be for that day, whenever it happens.

Obedience casts away any fears that might be had over that meeting.

I truly look at life as a preparation period. I’m not here to show how much of the world I’m willing to embrace. I’m here to show how much of God I’m willing to embrace. That may sound self-righteous, but it’s not intended to. It’s a mindset that’s based on an understanding of my divine nature and eternal potential.

“For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” (Alma 34:32)

The Second Coming theme

As I explained in last week’s column, the increase in mentions of the Second Coming in general conference addresses since President Russell M. Nelson became president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in early 2018 has been noticeable.

The prophet, apostles and other church leaders are making it clear that even though we don’t know the day or the hour of the Savior’s return, we need to prepare for it – now!

Elder Renlund continues theme

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a talk on that exact subject – preparing for the Second Coming – in the April general conference of the church.

In his address, Elder Renlund acknowledged the fears people have of the Second Coming when he spoke of a Primary girl who recently told him she was scared because “bad things are going to happen before Jesus comes again.”

But Elder Renlund said there’s a way to not be scared about the Second Coming. That way, he said, is to follow the teachings of Jesus.

“When we follow them, we do not need to fear or be anxious,” Elder Renlund said.

I spoke at the beginning of a general obedience, but Elder Renlund focused on three parables taught by Jesus and recorded in Matthew 25. Following these teachings will help us be prepared to meet the Savior, and not have fear about it, whether at His Second Coming or after we die.

“These teachings are crucial because personal preparation to meet Him is central to life’s purpose,” Elder Renlund said, echoing the Book of Mormon passage I cited earlier.

The first parable

The first parable Elder Renlund addressed was the parable of the ten virgins.

Elder Renlund summarized the parable by explaining that ten virgins attended a wedding feast but only five brought oil for their lamps. The virgins who didn’t bring oil left to buy oil when the bridegroom’s arrival was announced, but the door to the feast was closed before they returned.

“Jesus identified three aspects of the parable to help us,” Elder Renlund said. “He explained:

“‘And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.

“‘For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived–verily I say unto you, they shall … abide the day.'”

Elaborating on those three elements, Elder Renlund highlighted “accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ through priesthood ordinances and covenants,” striving “to remain worthy of having the Holy Ghost always with us” and choosing to “neither believe those who falsely claim divine sanction nor venture into metaphorical deserts or secret chambers to be taught by counterfeits.”

Speaking more about deception, Elder Renlund said:

“The Savior knew pretenders would try to deceive the very elect and that many disciples would be duped.”

He added:

“The Book of Mormon teaches us how we can differentiate deceivers from disciples,” he said. “Disciples always promote believing in God, serving Him, and doing good. We will not be deceived when we seek and take counsel from trusted individuals who are themselves faithful disciples of the Savior.

“We can also avoid deception by worshipping regularly in the temple. This helps us maintain an eternal perspective and protects us from influences that might distract or divert us from the covenant path.”

Concluded his remarks on the parable, Elder Renlund said:

“The essential lesson of this parable of the ten virgins is that we are wise when we accept the gospel, seek to have the Holy Ghost with us, and avoid deception. The five wise virgins could not help those without oil; no one can accept the gospel, take the Holy Ghost as a guide, and avoid deception on our behalf. We have to do this for ourselves.”

I honor my covenants by being as obedient as possible. That results in me being worthy to have the Holy Ghost always with me, and it helps me avoid deception.

The second parable

Next was the parable of the talents.

Elder Renlund summarized the parable by explaining that the Savior told of a man giving various amounts of money to three servants. The third servant, who received the fewest number – just one talent – buried his, while the other two, who had originally received more, doubled theirs. The man praised the two who had doubled their talents but rebuked the one who buried his, calling him “wicked and slothful.” His talent was taken away and he was banished.

To help explain the lesson from the parable, Elder Renlund said:

“Consider this insight provided by the 18th-century Hasidic scholar Zusya of Anipol. Zusya was a renowned teacher who began to fear as he approached death. His disciples asked, ‘Master, why do you tremble? You’ve lived a good life; surely God will grant you a great reward.’

“Zusya said: ‘If God says to me, ‘Zusya, why were you not another Moses?’ I will say, ‘Because you didn’t give me the greatness of soul that you gave Moses.’ And if I stand before God and He says, ‘Zusya, why were you not another Solomon?’ I will say, ‘Because you didn’t give me the wisdom of Solomon.’ But, alas, what will I say if I stand before my Maker and He says, ‘Zusya, why were you not Zusya? Why were you not the man I gave you the capacity to be?’ Ah, that is why I tremble.’

“Indeed, God will be disappointed if we do not rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Savior to magnify the God-given abilities we have received. With His loving assistance, He expects us to become the best version of ourselves. That we may start with differing abilities is irrelevant to Him. And it should be to us.”

I become the best version of myself, the version of myself I know Heavenly Father wants me to be, as I am as obedient as possible.

The third parable

Finally, came the parable of the sheep and goats.

Elder Renlund said:

“When He returns in His glory, ‘before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left,’

“Those on His right became heirs in His kingdom, and those on His left received no inheritance. The distinguishing characteristic was whether they fed Him when He was hungry, gave Him drink when He was thirsty, housed Him when He was a stranger, clothed Him when He was naked, and visited Him when He was sick or imprisoned.

“Everyone was perplexed, both those on the right hand and those on the left hand. They asked when they had, or when they had not, given Him food, drink, and clothing or helped Him when He was vulnerable. In response, the Savior said, ‘Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'”

Elder Renlund concluded:

“The message of the parable is clear: when we serve others, we serve God; when we don’t, we disappoint. He expects us to use our gifts, talents, and abilities to bless the lives of Heavenly Father’s children.”

Telling another story to emphasize the point, Elder Renlund spoke of a 19th century poem called “Farmer Paavo,” written by Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg.

He explained:

“Paavo was a poor farmer who lived with his wife and children in the lake region of central Finland. Several years in a row, most of his crops were destroyed, whether through the runoff from the spring snowmelt, summer hailstorms, or an early autumn frost. Each time the meager harvest came in, the farmer’s wife lamented, ‘Paavo, Paavo, you unfortunate old man, God has forsaken us.’ Paavo, in turn, stoically said, ‘Mix bark with the rye flour to make bread so the children won’t go hungry. I’ll work harder to drain the marshy fields. God is testing us, but He will provide.’

“Each time the crops were destroyed, Paavo directed his wife to double the amount of bark that she mixed into the flour to ward off starvation. He also worked harder, digging trenches to drain the ground and decrease his fields’ susceptibility to a spring runoff and an early autumn frost.

“After years of hardship, Paavo finally harvested a rich crop. His wife exulted, ‘Paavo, Paavo, these are happy times! It is time to throw away the bark, and bake bread made only with rye.’ But Paavo solemnly took his wife’s hand and said, ‘Mix half the flour with bark, for our neighbor’s fields have frosted over.’ Paavo sacrificed his and his family’s bounty to help his devastated and destitute neighbor.

“The lesson of the Savior’s parable of the sheep and goats is that we are to use the gifts we have been given–time, talents, and blessings–to serve Heavenly Father’s children, especially the most vulnerable and needy.”

Obedience can tie in here as well. Because obedience brings me closer to the Savior, and helps me have the Holy Ghost with me to a greater degree, it makes me more likely to want to serve others. I’ve found that when I become less obedient, I become more selfish, more fixated on my own problems and less desirous to help and serve others.

Elder Renlund’s conclusion

Closing his talk, Elder Renlund invited us “to follow Jesus Christ and to trust the Holy Ghost as you would a cherished friend,” to “rely on those who love you and who love the Savior” and to “seek God’s guidance to develop your unique abilities, and help others, even when it isn’t easy.”

He promised:

“You will be ready to meet the Savior, and you can join President Nelson in being joyfully optimistic. In doing so, you help the world prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and you will be blessed with sufficient hope to enter the rest and joy of the Lord, now and in the future.”

My conclusion

I want to be prepared to meet the Savior, and I want to be prepared to meet Him no matter when that might be. All of my obedience is for that purpose. And though I’m not perfect, and I make way more mistakes than I wish I did, and fall short on way more occasions than I would like to, I know that there is repentance, and that as long as I continue to put in my best effort to be obedient, repenting when I mess up, I will be prepared for that day.

Contact Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net.