Obedience

Obedience is key.  It is key to gaining light.  It is key to gaining knowledge.  It is key to receive the Lord's blessings.  But obedient to what?

Returning to Nephi's account, he states he was led by the spirit.  The spirit tells Nephi to slay Laban.  (If Nephi were a young man in the Church today, I'm pretty sure that would be against the For The Strength of Youth pamphlet.)  Nephi initially shrinks but then does as he is commanded.  Why is Nephi commanded to kill Laban, when the Ten Commandments plainly state, thou shall not kill? In this same situation, what would our youth today do?

The Prophet Joseph stated:  "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 place.  Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire." (TPJS p. 256)

Laban had stolen Lehi's property.  He had tried to kill Nephi and his brothers.  Under the law of Moses, the penalty for these transgressions was death.  The Lord was justified in his condemnation of Laban.  And the "pit" which Laban dug for others, he fell into himself.

We should obey the commandments.  We should obey the mission rules.  We should obey the Strength of Youth guidelines.  But first and foremost, we should obey the voice of the spirit.