This year, there are three things I hope to focus on as I study each of the lessons based on President Ezra Taft Benson’s talks:
- What is the doctrine being taught?
- What does the prophet mean for us to obey?
- How do we live these teachings as women, wives, and mothers in the gospel?
This lesson focuses on The Great Commandment—Love the Lord. The world is coming to a close. Whether we admit it or not, the fact of the matter is we are being forced to take sides. We came down to this earth to prove the side we have already chosen. In spite of the world looking very “gray” we know we were sent down to rediscover for ourselves:
“The great test of life is obedience to God.
“The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it.
“The great commandment of life is to love the Lord.”
I believe this is the main point of this lesson. We need post-it notes to remind 
ourselves that we are here because we chose Jesus Christ. We must finish what began in the premortal world. We need to continually remind ourselves that Satan has been fighting for the destruction of our souls and we have to make our choice over and over again.
The related scriptures, in this lesson, are all familiar to us, but in particular I appreciated rereading John 14:21-24, which states, “If a man love me, he will keep my words.” How much do we really love the Lord? What are we willing to risk of ourselves, and our personal desires, to exhibit that love?
Moroni 10:32 advises us to deny ourselves of all ungodliness. How do we do that? Are we hesitant? Do we question what that actually means, or how much “denying” will be acceptable? Simply, and boldly stated, we must love God with all our “might, mind and strength.” This is something the world does not teach. Satan is in charge of the world right now and he will do anything to help and inspire us to deny Christ in our actions and attitudes. And he is insidious, sneaky, conniving, and very attractive. We must make ourselves aware and consciously choose the Lord every day, every hour, and every opportunity.
If anyone was good at clarifying our objective in life, it was Ezra Taft Benson. This can really be the year to resolutely make our choice, and diligently use our time to prepare for the life that is promised to us.
Benson: “To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is all-consuming and all-encompassing. It is no lukewarm endeavor. It is total commitment of our very being.” This reminds me of a scripture found in Revelation 3:15-16:
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
These verses always remind me that God wants me to use my agency wisely and that choices made are important.
Benson: “When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.” Do we really believe this statement made by a prophet of God? Are we willing to put it to the test? Is our test on something that really matters to us; that we are willing to sacrifice if need be? “During this testing time the righteous must continue to love God, trust in His promises, be patient, and be assured, as the poet said, that ‘who does God’s work will get God’s pay.’”
The lesson asks these questions:
- Can we put God ahead of security, peace, passions, wealth, and the honors of men?
- When we are required to choose, are we more anxious to please God than our boss, our teacher, our neighbor, or our date?
- What is the condition in our homes? Are we striving to put the Lord first and to please Him?
The answers to these questions lie on what we are willing to give up, so that the Lord can perform His work in us. We fill our lives with so much “stuff” that we lose sight of what our main objective is: obedience to God. Every year, we might consider doing some “spiritual housecleaning.”
What God wants from us is our hearts, our desire, our attempt, weak though it may be, to push back the minutia, focusing on all God requires. As Neal A. Maxwell so eloquently put it: “But it takes faith to persist in doing good, particularly quiet good for 
which there is no recognition. Otherwise, why bother? Therefore, faith in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation is needed not just for life’s turbulent, traumatic moments but also for daily life’s seemingly small but nevertheless defining moments. Will we, for instance, remember our true identity as we move through daily life? How much sin occurs because people momentarily forget who they really are?” (Neal A. Maxwell, “The Pathway of Discipleship,” Sep 1998).
Our lesson refers to the Family Proclamation by stating the responsibility of each parent:
Fathers: Do you lead out with family prayer, scripture reading, and FHE?
Mothers: Do you teach, by word and example, how to put God first?
As the woman in the household, we have a 
responsibility to teach the word of God. Remember, the world does not teach this knowledge. This is put upon the mother, who nurtures and raises the children. We might encourage men to fulfill their assignment of presiding in the home by fulfilling his responsibilities. Together, husbands and wives parent the next generation.
Benson: “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can.” This must be a conscious choice on our part. We must purposely choose God, remember Him, and live by His word every day and every hour, or other things will replace that desire.
Benson: “Thus, brothers and sisters, consecration is not resignation or a mindless caving in. Rather, it is a deliberate expanding outward, making us more honest when we sing, “More used would I be” (“More Holiness Give Me,” 1985, Hymns, no. 131). Consecration, likewise, is not shoulder-shrugging acceptance, but, instead, shoulder-squaring to better bear the yoke.” I love that visual: a shoulder-squaring that takes place to bear the burden of discipleship. I believe this takes sacrifice on our part; to literally give up our will and desires to please Him.
Pres. Benson concludes with this powerful statement: “In conclusion, the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give,’ brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give! Consecration thus constitutes the only unconditional surrender which is also a total victory!”
May we seriously ponder this lesson as we set about this New Year. May we square our shoulders for the devoted work we endeavor to choose. May we consecrate our lives and be diligent in our efforts, daily seeking for the spirit, daily choosing His spirit, daily living as He wants us to live.