Commandments are not given to be burdens or restrictions.
"They are, rather, guideposts from an all-wise Heavenly Father to keep us out of trouble, to bring us a fullness of happiness in this life, and to bring us safely back home to Him," said Elder Larry W. Gibbons of the Seventy on Sunday afternoon.
Keeping the commandments makes all the difference in this life and in the next, he added. "To be worthy of the celestial kingdom and the joy that is there, we must keep the commandments."
Elder Gibbons said the only standard that makes sense is a celestial standard.
"In the Doctrine and Covenants we read: 'For he who is not able to abide by the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.' It's that simple. But, we do not have to wait to experience celestial joy. Living the commandments brings joy here and now."
Elder Gibbons warned of attempting to keep one foot in the Church and one foot in the world.
"One reason is that the world and the Church are rapidly diverging. We will lose our balance."
In a day of moral relativism, Church members must be prepared to take a stand and say, "This is right, and this is wrong."
"We cannot follow the crowd," Elder Gibbons said. "Now I am not suggesting, of course, that we move to the wilderness and lock our doors. We can be in the world, go to school, go to work, join worthwhile community organizations and so forth. But we must hold to the Lord's standards."
It's not enough to stay on the straight and narrow path — Church members should stay in the middle of the path.
"Do not flirt with evil," Elder Gibbons warned. "Stay out of the devil's territory. Do not give Satan any home field advantage. Living the commandments will bring you the happiness that too many look for in other places."
