Which Commandments are Optional to attain Eternal Life?

[_just me]

Since we are actually not expected to be perfect, nor are we expected to keep all the commandments, I would like to know which of the LDS commandments are optional.

Which things can be ignored and STILL obtain the highest degree of glory in the CK?

TIA

[_Drifting]

Since we are actually not expected to be perfect, nor are we expected to keep all the commandments, I would like to know which of the LDS commandments are optional.

Which things can be ignored and STILL obtain the highest degree of glory in the CK?

TIA

Once you've been married in the temple you can disobey all the commandments with the exception of spilling innocent blood and still get into the CK. This is stated explicitly in D&C:132

[_SteelHead]

All of them. Joseph taught that god can command exceptions in all things. Hence Nephi whacking Laban when he could could have just hog tied him.

That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another. God said, 'Thou shalt not kill'; at another time He said, 'Thou shalt utterly destroy.' This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire.'

~Joseph Smith

[_just me]

Man, I was such a horrible Mormon! I did not know this information! No wonder I went apostate.

[_Darth J]

Abraham 3:25

And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

M. Russell Ballard, http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD

As soon as you begin to think that you know better than the leaders of the Church, that our counsel doesn’t apply to you, you are stepping onto a slippery slope that has claimed far too many victims already. It takes real desire and unequivocal, unreserved faith to accept and to live prophetic counsel even when you may not completely understand it.

Ezra Taft Benson, http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD


Sometimes there are those who argue about words. They might say the prophet gave us counsel but that we are not obliged to follow it unless he says it is a commandment. But the Lord says of the Prophet, “Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you.” (D&C 21:4.).

Rulon G. Craven of the Seventy, http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD

To harden the heart is to ignore or not be willing to accept counsel. When persons allow themselves to succumb to temptation, they are acting against counsel: the counsel of the Holy Ghost, the counsel of our prophet leaders, the counsel of sound doctrine, the counsel of covenants, and often the counsel of those who love them most.

Joseph B. Wirthlin, http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD

We have His counsel in the scriptures and in the words of the prophets. However, if we choose to ignore the prophets, we choose the consequences that follow.


Joe J. Christensen, http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD

When anyone chooses to ignore or defiantly go against the counsel of the living prophet, he is on very shaky ground.

Henry B. Eyring, http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD

But the choice not to take prophetic counsel changes the very ground upon which we stand. The failure to take prophetic counsel lessens our power to take inspired counsel in the future.

M. Russell Ballard, http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD

It takes faith—real faith, unequivocal and unreserved—to accept and attempt to live prophetic counsel even when you don’t completely understand it. But to each of you I have only one question: are you going to follow the true and living prophets or not?

[_just me]

O NOSE! Now I am confused! Darth, are you saying that the LDS church teaches that we have to keep ALL of the LDS commandments in order to achieve eternal life?!?!?!

[_Darth J]

Lesson 23: Obedience: The First Law of Heaven," Preparing for Exaltation: Teacher’s Manual, (1998)

Note to the teacher

We show our love for Heavenly Father by obeying his commandments. It is important to remember that Heavenly Father gives us commandments because he loves us. He wants us to be like him and return to his presence. Help class members understand that it is by keeping the commandments that we are able to receive all of the blessings of the plan of salvation.

Lesson 15: Exaltation through Keeping Covenants," Aaronic Priesthood Manual 2, (1993)

Assure the young men that if they earnestly obey the commandments, keep their covenants, and love their fellowmen, they can achieve exaltation, the greatest gift of a loving Heavenly Father.

First Presidency Message, April 1982 Ensign

The initial principles and ordinances necessary for us to follow to be saved are described in Article of Faith number four [A of F 1:4]. They provide the way for us to be washed clean of our sins and thereafter to make anew our covenants with God so that we may always have the Spirit to be with us.

Thus, mere belief in Christ is not sufficient, but obedience to his laws is essential to salvation and exaltation, for, as recorded in Matthew 7:21 [Matt. 7:21], Christ said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (italics in original)

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007)

“To get salvation we must not only do some things, but everything which God has commanded. Men may preach and practice everything except those things which God commands us to do, and will be damned at last. We may tithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and still not obey the commandments of God [see Luke 11:42]. The object with me is to obey and teach others to obey God in just what He tells us to do."

[_LDSToronto]

O NOSE! Now I am confused! Darth, are you saying that the LDS church teaches that we have to keep ALL of the LDS commandments in order to achieve eternal life?!?!?!

It has never taught anything else.

H.

[_just me]

Thank GOD that is cleared up!

[_Buffalo]

Sometimes there are those who argue about words. They might say the prophet gave us counsel but that we are not obliged to follow it unless he says it is a commandment. But the Lord says of the Prophet, “Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you.” (D&C 21:4.).

Rulon G. Craven of the Seventy, http://LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideN ... 82620aRCRD

I have to wonder about these sorts of comments from 70s. Are they sucking up to the president in hopes of being promoted to the board of directors?