This is a General Conference Odyssey post for Sunday Morning session of April 1975 conference.

 

Typically, when something is repeated in scripture, it’s because it’s important. So, if we don’t catch it the first time, hopefully, we’ll catch it the second or third time. This conference seems to have done just that, so I offer you three repeated truths. Or, I guess, one truth repeated three times. Anyway, think: This must be important!

 

First, Marion G. Romney says,  

 

“The gospel of Jesus Christ … is the celestial law as it applies to men, human souls in mortality. … Obedience to this law is a prerequisite to resurrection with a celestial body. Great will be the glory of those who attain it, and sad indeed will be those who do not attain it.”

 

He’s talking about the (as Joseph Smith put it) “indescribably dreadful” feelings we’ll have if we do not “hearken and obey.”

 

Marvin J. Ashton states, in the very next talk,

 

“In recalling some of the Savior’s well-known teachings, the word now can be appropriately added to emphasize their impact. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” … NOW. (See John 14:25.) “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” … NOW. (See Mark 16:15.) “Come, follow me” … NOW. (See Luke 18:22.) Truly, if we love God, we will serve him … NOW.”

 

The third time came from J. Thomas Fyans, who spoke right after Elder Ashton.

 

“Where do the streams of our thoughts flow? Are we reading the scriptures? Are we listening to the counsel of our present-day prophet? Are we catching the vision of really living the gospel? Are we feeling the sense of urgency—an urgency to repent, to share the gospel, to prepare for the second coming of the Savior, to obey all God’s commandments?”

 

Three times in a row we are asked if we will obey our leaders and fulfill our covenants as members of the church. Unfortunately, we live in a day and age where obedience to commandments depends on what, where, when, why, and how we feel about certain doctrines. Our world is full of questions and doubt and intolerance. If we don’t feel like doing something, we have freedom to not do it, right? But what ever happened to that moral code that urges us to follow our inner voice? Without feeling ashamed, we have the right to obey the commandments, if we choose to, without fear or ridicule.

 

The truth is that if we fail to obey, we fail the Human Test and all the blessings that might have been given to us by our loving Heavenly Father. And if time was running out 42 years ago, time must pretty much be really out by now.

 

I conclude with Elder Ashton’s final words: “God help us to forsake our procrastinating ways and straightway follow Him.”

 

I don’t know, sounds pretty compelling to me.

 

Additional General Conference Odyssey posts:

Picking up color Marilyn Nielson

The Symbol of Our Worship G