The First Great Commandment
“The Chosen ” series portrays events during Christ’s mortal ministry. It has given me new perspectives on Christ, even with the creative liberties taken to portray his and his disciples lives.
One memorable scene includes a few of his apostles chatting around a fire, talking about Jesus’ growing fame and how they used to dream of who the Messiah would be and now they are with him. In the background, the sound of many people gathering to be blessed by Jesus is evident. We know from their conversation that Jesus has been doing this since morning. The night grows late and finally Jesus walks past them with barely enough energy to lift his hand to say goodnight. He doesn't want food or relaxing conversastion, he just wants rest. He is utterly exhausted. He has been about his Father’s business all day. As I watched this scene, I recognized how Jesus literally sacrificed his own comfort or will, to honor God. Ezra Taft Benson, 13th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “Our love for God will govern the claims of our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.” He further stated that we must put God in the forefront of everything and everyone else in our lives. “Why did God put the first commandment first? Because he knew that if we truly loved Him, we would want to keep all of his other commandments. . . . When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives" (April 2, 1988). Therefore, when we put God first, whatever comes second will always be right.
If we were asked today “Lovest thou me more than these?”...What would the “these” in our life be? For Peter, it was fishing. What occupies your thoughts, your time, your energy? What is competing for your attention? What are you willing to sacrifice or inconvenience yourself for? Do you love God more than those things?
Russell M. Nelson, 17th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, challenged us to let God prevail in our lives in October of 2020. He said, “Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?” (general-conference/2020/10/4)
My brother was a CEO of a successful company he had worked very hard to grow when he was called on a 3 year mission for our church. What would 3 years do to his company he had worked so diligently to become successful? I am sure it was a concern for him, but he let God prevail in his life and left this pursuit behind.
We were sent here to earth to prove our devotion to God. In the pre-mortal realm, the Lord said, “...We will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” (Abr. 3:25)
Second lieutenant Bob Houghton was a pilot in the Air Force during the Korean War. One day Bob Houghton and four other planes in close formation were returning to base following a mission when Bob heard a voice tell him to “turn around.” Always obedient to the commandments of God, even in war time, he felt this was a divine warning and suggested to his Major that they turn around. With no obvious reason to do so, his suggestion was brushed aside partially due to their low fuel. The impression came a second time, “Turn around,” and again Bob requested they turn around. The Major was less tolerant of this second request and it was denied more forcefully. Mercifully, the warning came a third time, urgently, “Turn Now!” to which, against his Major and at the risk of a court martial, Bob Houghton announced over his headset “Turn left on my mark”. All the other planes were compelled to comply or risk collisions in the air. The Major shouted his displeasure with Houghton.
Immediately after turning 90 degrees, the radar alarms rang, indicating migs (Russian fighter aircrafts) nearby. Above the clouds and behind the planes where they could not be detected, were two enemy planes ready to lock on to this little 4 plane fleet and blow them out of the sky. Because Bob acted just in time, their presence was revealed and the MIGS being outnumbered, diverted quickly. Low ranking Bob Houghton saved the lives of all in his company that day. God’s voice took priority over any other, even at the risk of man’s discipline. Which there wasn’t. Everyone, including the Major, was very grateful.
Nellie Middleton, 51, lived in bombed out city in southwestern England with her 6-year old daughter during WWII. Due to war demands, there were no men left in the area who held the priesthood to bless the sacrament. Nellie was a faithful woman who had previously been a women’s leader so she took responsibility for the spiritual and temporal welfare of her congregation in that area. Her living room became the place the women prayed, sang, and studied together.
One day she heard that American soldiers were stationed in her town. She was hopeful that one of those Americans might be authorized with the priesthood so she put a painted picture of the Latter-day Saint Salt Lake Temple in a business window with the words: “If any soldier is interested in the above, he will find a warm welcome at 18 Saint Paul’s Road.”
One night there was a knock on her door, well after dark. A 20-year old American soldier from Utah had seen her picture and had come to introduce himself. Gratefully, he held the office of a priest. Now she and those she served would be able to partake of the Sacrament.
Here was a woman who put God first in the things she pursued. Here was a young man who did the same walking all that way to determine how he could help. Those who love God first will do what He needs them to do over any other ambition.
My ggg grandmother, Harriet Heath Marler, her husband, and children, joined the church in Mississippi and desired to heed a prophet’s call by joining the saints in the Salt Lake Valley. During their journey, in St. Joe Missouri March of 1850 to be exact, the entire family, save one, contracted Cholera. Cholera took the lives of half of her family: four daughters and her husband. As her husband’s death was imminent, he pleaded with Harriet to return to Mississippi where the people knew her and would take care of her. She refused, saying she would continue to Utah. Amidst her grevious trials, she let God prevail in her life and in her decisions. When we put the things of God first, we do not consider ourselves an exception to commands and we recognize and follow prophetic counsel.
November 30, 2019, my childhood friend and college roommate lost 9 male family members in a tragic plane crash. She and Harriet could certainly commiserate together, but I don’t know that either of them would. I haven’t heard my friend speak or write a single word that is vengeful or pitiful or protests her unjustified circumstances. They were all covenant keepers. She could lament why they were not preserved, but instead, she praises God’s goodness and the blessing of eternal families. She speaks lovingly of her family members that she knows live on in another realm. She demonstrates her love of God by holding firm to her covenants as faithfully as always. She is refined through her fire. Her will has been swallowed up in His.
It is a puzzle to me how some are so easily offended, “cursing God” while others endure so much and somehow increase in their devotion. I think the key factor must be who they love first. If it is God, all other things settle into the right place.
Our current world situation is somewhat explained by the results of a national Gallup survey. It was between the beliefs of college educated Christians vs Christians without a college education. Their findings? "College graduates are about three times more likely than persons without a college education to put the Second Commandment (loving your neighbor) ahead of the First Commandment (loving God)." We can see what good that has done for our society as we have all sorts of identity crises’ going on. Additionally, those who were “better educated” were also 3x as likely to think you can be a true Christian without even believing in the Divinity of Christ. (Robert Wuthnow, The Restructuring of American Religion, p. 169).
Satan doesn’t insist that we put him first for anything or anyone other than God will certainly suffice. However, the first commandment remains in force. If we want the world to straighten out, we need to accept this reality and comply. There are no acceptions to this rule.
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