The Importance of Obedience in Bringing Others to Christ

Just as a lighthouse in a storm guides ships, standards guide missionaries’ work. Some missionary standards, such as obedience to the law of chastity, apply to all of God’s children.

In speaking to missionaries, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Personal righteousness is one of the most important qualifications to represent the Savior before the world. It also qualifies us to have the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord with us. …

If you obey with a willing heart, you will be demonstrating to the Lord your willingness to follow Him, your love for Him and for our Heavenly Father. Your spiritual progress will be broader. You will come to know the Savior, and this will make all the difference in your mission and in your life. ...

If we choose not to be obedient, we will not be able to represent the Savior accordingly, nor will we have the Spirit of the Lord with us. … In order to be a positive influence in the lives of individuals you teach, you must have the Spirit of the Lord with you. (In Scott Tayler, “Obedience Is Critical for Missionaries to Fulfill Their Responsibilities, Elder Soares Teaches,” Newsroom, Mar. 29, 2021, newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

obedience, righteousness

Watch the video “Stay Within the Lines” (5:10), looking for the importance of obedience to God’s laws in missionary work.

5:10

Take a moment to prayerfully consider your current efforts to be obedient to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Invite the Holy Ghost to help you recognize things you are doing well or may need to adjust to better show your love to Them and bring others to Them.

While some standards, like God’s commandments, apply to all members of the Church, other standards are specific to those doing full-time missionary service. These missionary standards focus on the physical and spiritual safety of full-time missionaries.

Some missionary standards include the following:

• Always stay with your companion.

• Avoid situations that could become physically or spiritually dangerous. Do not use power tools, operate heavy machinery, or ride on tractors, trailers, or truck beds.

• Avoid television, movies, video games, and unauthorized videos.

• Limit physical contact with someone of the opposite gender to a handshake.

Like the battleship captain who felt he didn’t need to turn, some missionaries may feel that missionary standards don’t apply to them.

Take a moment to ponder why it is important to obey missionary standards, even when disobeying might feel harmless or you don’t understand the reason for certain standards.

Imagine you’ve been asked to give a three- to five-minute talk on the importance of obedience in missionary work. To prepare, study the following sources, and tag your favorites as “obedience.”

• Deuteronomy 6:1–3

• John 14:15, 21

• 1 Nephi 3:7

• 2 Nephi 31:10

• Mosiah 2:41

• Alma 57:21

• Doctrine and Covenants 130:20–21

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

Obedience underlies our life decisions and allows God to open the heavens to shower His blessings upon us during our mortal existence and through eternity. Our obedience is a sign of our love, friendship and discipleship to the Savior who we represent as missionaries. Obedience to the commandments leads to blessings from God and shows our love for Him and for His Son Jesus Christ. (In Scott Tayler, “Obedience Is Critical for Missionaries to Fulfill Their Responsibilities, Elder Soares Teaches,” Newsroom, Mar. 29, 2021, newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

As you live righteously, you will not only escape bondage from the adversary, but you will also become an example of hope and light to others. (“Gathered in His Light: Avoiding Bondage,” For the Strength of Youth, Oct. 2022, 10)

Now use the passages you tagged as “obedience” to create an outline that includes at least three of the following:

1. A scripture about obedience and how it could apply to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ

2. An example from the life or teachings of Jesus Christ that could help someone striving to be obedient

3. A modern-day example of the importance of obedience and how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will bless our efforts

4. A short statement by a Church leader that emphasizes striving to be obedient and the blessings for doing so

5. Your personal feelings about why obedience is important when we represent the Savior as members of His Church and as His missionaries