Obedience and Blessings

2 Nephi 1:9

Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever.

A pervasive theme in the Book of Mormon is the sure relationship between obedience and blessings. The Nephites were promised many times that if they would keep God's commandments, they would be blessed and prosper. It is a simple but powerful formula for a good life. Not a trouble-free life, but a good life. 

And the Nephites proved the truth of the maxim over and over again. Every time they humbled themselves, repented, followed the prophet, exercised charity, and obeyed God's commandments, they prospered, grew rich, and were happy. When they stopped obeying, they were plagued with war, famine, and misery. 

Every generation that tried to live without God failed miserably. Why they could not or would not see the obvious pattern of life is a mystery. The lesson for us in our day is equally obvious. 

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