The Cry of The Trumpet

Jesus raised the standard of love. The Mosaic law taught, “Love your neighbor as yourself” , a command Jesus affirmed as the second great commandment. But on the night before His crucifixion, He gave His disciples something deeper, something distinctly shaped by His own life: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you.” ( John 13:34–35 ) Elder Jeffrey R. Holland notes that Jesus chose this commandment as His final, summarizing lesson—“one grand, eternal principle”—to sustain His disciples once He was no longer physically with them. He explains that the word new (Greek kainēn ) means “fresh,” a renewed and intensified version of an ancient law. What was new was the measure: “As I have loved you.” What Did Jesus Mean by “As I Have Loved You”? Service and humility At the Last Supper, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet—an act normally reserved for the lowest servant. ...

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 Hi...