The concept of obedience is often misunderstood. Obedience is frequently thought of as a mindless, lazy or automatic option for people of low intellect or ability. It is commonly emphasized by tyrannical types in the world who seek to use humble, obedient individuals to further their own power. Thus many people - including myself - have resisted obedience at one time or another due to a lack of faith in humanity or a resistance to such excess and authoritarianism. Which is not a bad idea, in and of itself. With few exceptions, obedience is a precious choice unwisely given to others. Those exceptions make all the difference, however, between the consuming self-interest of all humans and the outward-reaching, selfless and omnicient love of our Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ. Obedience to the latter is the important distinction to make, one which elevates the principle of obedience to the highest level in mortality.
Unlike that of power-hungry people and the general population, there is One whose love for us is boundless, to all mankind. His influence readily and repeatedly unites, calms, teaches, saves and uplifts each individual. He knows everything - and everyone - intimately. Obedience to that One has a way of uniting us with His divine attributes, of making us more than what we are, and bringing us to a greater understanding of His perfect ways.
Our all-knowing God has wisely commanded that we obey our parents and listen to church leaders, teachers and others who love us unselfishly. While this does not mean becoming automatons, it can be a trying endeavor, as they are not perfect. But such obedience again blesses us, doubly, for the additional faith it requires of us.
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