Obedience

I had the opportunity to teach Relief Society this past Sunday. Now when I say "oppourtunity", I really believe that the Lord knew I needed this lesson and that I would internalize it better having taught it rather than listening to someone else teach it.
The lesson was on obedience. Now it is no secret to my fellow bloggers or really anyone else for that matter that I struggled with this for a time and made a life-altering/shattering choice. I have had a very bitter struggle within myself since. In my lesson I talked about the freedom that comes with obedience.
It goes like this:
If I obey then I am free from sin, which in turn leaves me free of guilt, free of self-doubt, free of uncertainty. If I obey than I am free to fulfill my church callings and attend the temple.
Obedience starts with very simple things: Read my scriptures, say daily prayers (personal...not just with the kids and family), attend my meetings, fulfill my callings, etc.
One sister commented on how we decide our level of happiness by our level of obedience. If we raise the bar on our obedience, we raise the bar on the level of blessings we will receive. An increase of obedience means an increase of blessings, which means an increase of happiness. It is a snowball affect.
I had often scoffed (funny word, but fitting) at the idea that my problems would all just go away if I would read my scriptures and say my prayers. How could it be that simple? It didn't seem that simple, and yet it was, it is. It begins with obedience. Why I had to learn it too late is my own fault, but I have learned it. I testify of it...on this blog;)
So, the moral of the story is read your scriptures and say your prayers. In fact...go do it right now!!!