Obedience: Choosing to Trust God When It Is Not Easy

Recently, I was invited to give a talk on the topic “Christ Is Born unto Me,” which encouraged me to reflect on what the Savior’s birth personally means to each of us. As I prepared, I felt inspired to look more deeply at the individuals and symbols in the Nativity scene. In my talk, I spoke about characters such as Mary and Joseph, as well as elements like the manger and the star, exploring their significance and the personal lessons they teach us.

As I reflected on Joseph, I was especially moved by his quiet strength and unwavering support of Mary throughout and beyond the journey of bringing the Savior into the world. From his example in the scriptures, I learned the power of obedience even when the path ahead is unclear and the importance of trusting God’s plan, especially when it feels uncomfortable or requires sacrifice.

Obedience often sounds simple, just do what the Lord asks, but living it is rarely that easy. It can be deeply personal and, at times, uncomfortable. Growing up in the Church, I often hear that obedience brings blessings. But I have learned that we truly begin to understand this principle only when obedience asks us to trust God without fully understanding why or how things will work out.

For me, obedience has never been dramatic. It showed up in small, quiet moments choosing patience when I really wanted to react, choosing honesty when staying silent felt easier, choosing faith when answers did not come right away. Over time, I have come to see that obedience is not about getting everything right. It is about the direction my heart is facing, even when I am unsure or imperfect.

Jesus taught, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). For a long time, that verse felt heavy to me, like a test I was afraid of failing. But with experience, it has softened into something gentler, an invitation. Obedience is not about earning God’s love, because His love has never been in question. It is about learning to trust Him enough to walk with Him, even when the path feels uncertain.

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “When we choose to live by the laws of obedience, God’s blessings flow without constraint.”

This counsel speaks deeply to my heart. I have learned that while some blessings are easy to see, many arrive quietly, showing up as strength when things feel heavy, clarity when decisions are unclear, and a steady peace that carries us through seasons of uncertainty.

The Book of Mormon presents obedience not as blind following, but as active spiritual engagement. The Liahona worked “according to the faith and diligence” of those who used it (Alma 37:40), reminding us that guidance comes when we participate, when we choose to look, listen, and act. I see my own life reflected in that pattern. When I delay responding to spiritual promptings or choose convenience over conscience, direction feels distant. Yet when I act in obedience, even imperfectly, light returns just as the Lord promised that those who heed His words will be “led by the hand” (D&C 84:88).

Another perspective obedience has taught me is that God often uses it less to change our situation and more to change us. The Lord teaches, “I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant” (D&C 98:14). Obedience becomes a refining process, one that shapes our character, stretches our faith, and teaches us patience. Through it, we learn to value eternal growth over immediate comfort, trusting that the Lord is preparing us for something greater than what we can presently see.

The scriptures also say that commandments are not given to restrict us, but to protect and preserve us. King Benjamin taught that God’s commandments are given so that we may “prosper in the land” (Mosiah 2:22). Looking back, I recognize moments when obedience quietly guarded me, redirecting me away from choices that seemed appealing but would have led to unrest. In contrast, obedience consistently brought peace, confirming that the Lord’s ways are designed for our well-being.

Obedience is an expression of trust in a loving God who sees the end from the beginning. Proverbs remind us to “trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). As I continue to practice obedience, it draws me closer to Jesus Christ, not because I obey perfectly, but because obedience keeps turning my heart toward Him. And in that turning, I experience a peace the Savior described as “not as the world giveth” (John 14:27).

I testify that God sees every quiet act of obedience, especially the ones no one else notices. He cherishes our willingness more than our perfection, and He never withholds light from those who truly desire to follow Him. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I have felt Him walk beside me in moments of uncertainty, and I trust that as we continue choosing obedience, He will gently guide us forward, one faithful step at a time, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ■