Continuing from his book ‘The Millennial Generation’ and a previous post Joy Unspeakable, Vaughn J. Featherstone taught:
There are some who think obedience is hard. They think of it as a demand or set of rules forced on them against their will. Some feel that it implies a loss of agency. On the contrary, obedience is a privilege and the only way we can truly be free to progress in the kingdom of God. We ought to get down on our knees and thank God from the inner most part of our souls for the principle of obedience.
Abraham 4:18 states, “And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed.” I believe this implies that all will be damned (that is, held back) until they obey—and all truly means all.
Consider the joy that comes to those who are obedient. Our son Joseph and his family were at a local recreation area. My wife. Merlene, was waiting for them to finish the ride they were taking. Nearby a Hispanic woman seemed to be having a problem. Merlene went to see if she could help. As she assisted the woman, she said, “are you from Mexico?” The woman replies that she was from Ecuador. Merlene became excited and told her that one of our sons had served a mission for the Church in Ecuador. This woman replied that she was a convert to the Church and, in broken English, said, “I have been searching for my beloved missionary. I will always remember and love the missionary who taught and baptized me. His name is Joseph Featherstone.” Merlene began to weep and said, “He is our son.”
About this time our son, now down from the slide, came over to his mother. As he noticed this woman from Ecuador, there was a moment of recognition, and then, with sweeping emotion they ran and gave each other a holy hug. Oh, the joy that comes from obedience. Our son didn’t have to go on a mission; He did it out of obedience and love for his Savior. I’m sure he considers his whole mission worth the joy of that one moment with the woman from Ecuador! Sometimes it is difficult and takes great character to be obedient, but I testify that obedience will—within God’s time frame—shower us with peace and blessings. ~ Vaughn J. Featherstone, The Millennial Generation (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999) 28-29
