Tag: 10 commandments

I don’t know why some things come to mind randomly, but this comic strip came to mind this week along with thoughts about why we have rules in society and religious commandments (that used to be part of the rules of society) and the results of obeying or not obeying the rules.

We live in a society today, that thinks there are no moral absolutes. We also live in a society that thinks they can make up rules or choose to change rules and commandments simply because they don’t want to live them or because they want to be disobedient but feel like they aren’t being so. These people are loud and persuasive in our society and seem to be upheld by many in our government agencies today as well.

When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, as well as after they were removed from the Garden, they were given commandments to live by. These were upheld by some and ignored by others of their children, much like we see today. When the children of Israel left Egypt these commandments were given to Moses by the Lord and we know them today as the 10 Commandments. There were other pieces of the law not practiced today, and many celebrations and feasts still practiced by the Jews today. But the 10 Commandments have given direction and protection to Christians and Jews the world over for centuries. You also find evidence of similar laws in other Non-Christian religions all around the world, but why that is so, is a discussion for another day.

God’s commandments, as well as good rules of society are not restrictive in nature. They are there to protect us from ourselves in some cases, and from others in many other cases. We have seen in recent years, and especially after 2020 an increase in the rates of depression and anxiety among other mental illnesses. I 100% know that there are chemical imbalances that cause some people’s depression and there are a number of other psychological disorders and diseases that come from problems with chemical imbalances and other physical infirmities. Those need to be taken care of with a health professional. But there is also an interesting increase in disobedience to God’s laws that cannot be overlooked.

I personally think that our spirits know right from wrong. We chose to be here, to have a chance to gain a body and knew it would be work to get back to our Heavenly Father. But part of the plan was to gain this physical body and learn how to conquer the physical appetites and passions that are associated with that body. We knew that coming here, even if we don’t remember. We were blessed with another gift when we got here as well, the Light of Christ, that helps direct us while here. The Light of Christ, often called our conscience, helps us know when something is wrong or we are about to do something wrong. However, we can also ignore that light long enough that it diminishes and finally extinguishes within us.

I think that when we start doing things that go against what our spirits know to be right, it creates an inner turmoil between physical body and spirit, causing physical problems that express themselves in various manners. I think that is where the increase in depression and anxiety in our society today comes from. I also believe that, as we are living in the last days, we are starting to experience the calamities foretold since the world began. If we have chosen not to listen or be obedient this time in the world’s history was predicted to be, and will be, scary for those not being obedient. But, if we are prepared, spiritually and physically, we have no need to fear. But that means we have to be obedient.

I choose to put my trust in my Heavenly Father. I have anxiety, and sometimes it is associated with not doing what I knew was right in the instance, sometimes it’s simply part of life. But as I have learned over the years, I have opportunity to repent and to try a little harder to be obedient. I have also seen that as I am obedient, the Lord helps me even when my anxiety is not associated with transgression, simply with what is happening in the world around me. I am grateful for 20/20 hindsight because I can see I have grown and changed over the years. I have learned to be more obedient, and as I have done so I fear less and trust more. As a consequence, I see help all along my way from the Lord, because He has promised us that as we follow Him, He will help us. I know that to be true.