The scriptures are filled with examples of what happens when we are obedient, and conversely, disobedient.

Noah was commanded to build a boat and gather the animals, male and female, because the Lord was going to flood the earth due to the extreme wickedness. (Good thing He promised to never do that again!) Noah obeyed and because he did, every single one of us is here. Every human being on this earth today is descended from Noah.

“A just man and perfect in his generations,” one who “walked with God,” (Genesis 6:9) was the prophet Noah. Ordained to the priesthood at an early age, “he became a preacher of righteousness and declared the gospel of Jesus Christ, … teaching faith, repentance, baptism, and the reception of the Holy Ghost.” (Bible Dictionary, “Noah,” 738–39) He warned that failure to heed his message would bring floods upon those who heard his voice, and yet they hearkened not to his words.

Noah heeded God’s command to build an ark that he and his family might be spared destruction. He followed God’s instructions to gather into the ark two or more of every living creature that they also might be saved from the floodwaters.

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught in general conference more than half a century ago: “As yet there was no evidence of rain and flood. … [Noah’s] warnings were considered irrational. … How foolish to build an ark on dry ground with the sun shining and life moving forward as usual! But time ran out. … The floods came. The disobedient … were drowned. The miracle of the ark followed the faith manifested in its building.”

Noah had the unwavering faith to follow God’s commandments. May we ever do likewise. May we remember that the wisdom of God ofttimes appears as foolishness to men; but the greatest lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and we obey, we will always be right. (Thomas S. Monson, “They Marked the Path to Follow,” Ensign, Oct 2007, 4–9)

Sometimes it seems as if it is impossible for us to follow God’s commands, but it behooves us to remember what Nephi tells us in the Book of Mormon:

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. (1 Nephi 3:7)

This is a good lesson for me right now too. Heavenly Father is not a capricious God. Neither is His Son, Jesus Christ. When we are asked to do something it really is for our own good.

In 1833, Joseph Smith – the prophet of the restoration, received a revelation known as the Word of Wisdom (D&C 89) which gave Mormons a clear outline of the way to good health through diet. We were asked to not drink alcohol, smoke or chew tobacco or drink coffee. We were asked to eat meat, fruits and vegetable in their seasons, etc. In 1833 that seemed insane to many people. And yet look at what we know today.

Alcoholism is a crippling and destructive disease which decimates lives and families.

Smoking or chewing tobacco causes all kinds of horrible cancers.

Coffee can keep you awake, but it turns out caffeine coats your nerve endings and interrupts the messages being sent. In the long run, it can cause you so much damage.

Obedience, being the first law of heaven, helps us to understand that Heavenly Father is simply looking out for us. He would like us to go through this mortal phase of our eternal existence without chains which bind us physically, emotionally and psychologically . . . life is hard enough without being a slave to a destructive habit.

Nephi is right. There is nothing God commands we do that He does not prepare a way. Always, always . . . if we are willing to follow He lays the path. Jesus Christ, our Exemplar, Savior and Redeemer, is that path back to our Father in Heaven and our heavenly home. All we must understand is that obedience frees us from the chains and inevitable result of destruction on many levels.

President Boyd K. Packer:

“By following the rules,” said President Packer, “you will never make a serious mistake … either while you are on your mission or thereafter without being warned. You will never take the wrong road, you will never go around the wrong bend, or make the wrong decision without your having been warned. That pattern is the pattern of the Latter-day Saint. You were confirmed a member of the Church, and you had conferred upon you the gift of the Holy Ghost to be a guide and a companion to you.” (William D. Oswald, “The First Law of Heaven,” Ensign, Jan 2008, 10–11)

Indeed this is the promise given those who choose to live worthily enough that we may receive promptings from the Holy Ghost. Not to preclude all trials and tragedies we may face, but to face only those we must rather than those which are a direct consequence of our actions. We are given peace, comfort and strength from the Holy Ghost that we might return to our heavenly home in triumph. This is I testify to you is absolutely truth . . . you have been given the path and the way, follow it home.