Becoming Whole: How Grace Completes Our Obedience

In Relief Society, we had a thoughtful discussion about obedience and grace. These two principles can feel paradoxical. If we are saved by grace, why must we be obedient? And if obedience can never “earn” heaven—because none of us will ever be perfectly obedient—why not rely on grace alone?

I believe the answer lies in understanding why God gives commandments and how grace actually works.

1. Commandments show us how to live joyfully and become like God.

God does not give commandments as a test we must pass to earn heaven. He gives them because they describe the kind of life that leads to joy, peace, and spiritual growth now.

“Men are, that they might have joy.”
— 2 Nephi 2:25

Christ taught that obedience is an expression of love and alignment with Him:

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
— John 14:15

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf explained:

“God does not need us to be obedient so He can love us. We need to be obedient so we can learn to love Him.”
— The Love of God (2009)

Obedience is transformative. It shapes our desires, our character, and our capacity to receive what God wants to give us.

2. Grace exists because we cannot be perfectly obedient in mortality.

God knew we would fall short. That’s why the plan always included a Savior.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23
“It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”
— 2 Nephi 25:23

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland clarified that “after all we can do” does not mean perfection:

“I am convinced that ‘after all we can do’ is not a reference to the number of things we have done.”
— Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You (2016)

Grace is not a backup plan—it is the plan.

3. Obedience does not qualify us for heaven, but it does qualify us for grace.

We don’t earn salvation. But we choose whether we will accept Christ’s mercy by choosing to follow Him.

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
— Matthew 5:7

King Benjamin taught that even when we keep the commandments, we are still “unprofitable servants” (see Mosiah 2:21), yet he also urged us to be “steadfast and immovable” in keeping them (see Mosiah 5:15).

Elder D. Todd Christofferson expressed this beautifully:

“We do not earn heaven. We learn heaven.”
— Preparing for the Lord’s Return (2019)

Obedience is how we learn heaven—how we become the kind of beings who can live there.

4. Grace removes the requirement for perfect obedience and allows for faithful obedience.

God does not expect perfection in mortality. He expects effort, desire, and a willing heart.

“The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.”
— D&C 64:34

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

“The Lord loves effort, because effort brings rewards.”
— The Blessing of Daily Scripture Study (2020)

Our efforts don’t save us—but they turn our hearts toward the One who does.


Summary

  • Obedience brings joy in mortality and shapes us into Christlike beings.
  • Grace makes salvation possible, because none of us can be perfectly obedient.
  • Obedience is how we show our willingness to receive mercy, not how we earn heaven.
  • Christ bridges the gap between our imperfect obedience and God’s perfect standard.

Grace doesn’t eliminate the need for obedience—it makes obedience meaningful, possible, and transformative.

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