Obedience to God’s commands can be a struggle. Even Jesus had to pray for strength to obey when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Perhaps you’re hoping that struggle will finally be over once we get to heaven. But what if surrender never actually ends? One morning I found myself in spirit paradise, standing before a couple made entirely of light. What they shared about obedience can help you find peace in that struggle today.
An early morning message
4:27am. I've been awake for a long, uncomfortable hour. The Spirit told me that an ancestor wanted to speak with me, so I get up and make my way to my desk. I open my laptop, and darken the screen so it’s softer on my eyes. After praying, I tune in.
It appears that I am in spirit paradise. Spirit paradise is different from spirit prison because in spirit paradise everything is white and light and beautiful compared to spirit prison, which looks much more like our heavenly earth, and things are gray and dark there.
The space is very white and bright, and a couple sit in front of me. Instead of seeing what they look like, I see their forms as bright white light.
It takes me a little longer to get completely open and able to receive. The first thing I receive is a short poem:
Spaces are pink and purple and white,
Freedom comes from sin.
Open the door that sits in your heart,
And let the goodness in.
The spirits begin their instruction for me.
Eternal Progression Through Obedience
Jennifer, we want to tell you what it's like to progress eternally.
When a spirit comes to paradise, they must learn service. They must be cleansed from the stains of the fallen world. Their emotions must come into alignment with the one true truth, and with Jesus, who rules and reigns in this space. His light is glorious and true, and we all need some degree of work to accept it and to accept who we are.
The veil is lifted and memory returns. Healing happens as we let our Savior guide us into what we need. Each being has different needs, and the degree of cleansing varies from soul to soul.
Obedience and service bring blessings. This is just how it is on earth as well. However, the blessings become more obvious once in heaven. The consequences are easier to see, and the good is more desirable.
There are no longer the obstacles that are present while you are yet on the earth. Being in harmony with others is of utmost importance. We are learning to become one. This requires peace and understanding, acceptance and compassion, love and goodwill.
“Honor your father and you mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you." (Exo 20:12)
Honoring our parents helps us learn to obey. It is best if we are taught this when we are young. It is how we learn to submit our will to that of another. Of course, righteous parents bringing one up in the gospel teaches this principle in the appropriate way for us to relate it to our Father in Heaven.
Since this is not the case for most, we must then learn to be subservient in adulthood, which is more difficult for most. However, allowing the will of God to direct our own will, by our own free will and choice, is what brings the blessings we all seek.
Peace of mind and heart, a happy life and good relationships, freedom from suffering. This is through obedience, perspective, and understanding.
Obedience to God's Commands While on Earth
Note that our progression eternally is the same as what you are learning on earth. The principles are the same. Learn to be obedient now, and enjoy the blessings your Heavenly Father has for you.
Thank you for listening and for receiving, Jennifer. This alone is helpful for your own progression in obedience and overcoming your obstacles.
Let Jesus help you. Accept his will and his guidance in all things. Despair not that the way seems hard. So it is for all who follow him.
Accepting his yoke and surrendering to him changes the path so that it becomes one of ease and joy and goodness. Allow that goodness to flow in and through you in all things as you rejoice in the work you have been given.
Be of good cheer, and all will be well. We love you.
Choosing to Obey the Spirit Over the Carnal
Obedience, blessings, unity — these are messages and things that we receive and we see over and over and over again as followers of Christ. So obviously they must be important. There are numerous spirits that I've met with and stories I've received that emphasize the importance of being obedient to whatever Christ commands us to do.
I've come to see that God's earthly commandments are miniature rehearsals, if you will, for a larger surrender.
As we follow the commandments and continue to progress, God is going to ask each of us to be obedient to other things that he knows that we need to progress and grow.
Our opportunity is to learn to give up our attachments to the lower things, our carnal desires, our what our ego wants, what our body desires, and to let those things go and to replace them with the higher things that Christ is calling us to.
I have seen this in my own life from back to when I was 36 and I converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, going from living after the manner of the world to following God's commandments.
That obedience has brought blessings in all areas of my life that have continued to grow and grow as I have continued to grow in my relationship with him over the years.
You don't have to start with something big or huge. You can start with something little and small. I'm encourage you and invite you to pray and ask Heavenly Father where he would have you start and how you can be more obedient.
