What are the absolute commandments to obey?

[Anonymous]

Orson wrote:

Somebody please remind me to come back and re-read this thread every few weeks!

OK, Orson. So it’s three months later. I was out when this thread happened. I just found it (searching for the original Rix diagonality citation) and read it. Yes, it is amazing, the “book of StayLDS”. I loved it! You guys rock.

But I do think that the last page starts a discussion (about sacrifice) that was never concluded with clarity. And I would like to continue it.

Something nagging bugs me about the way the sacrifice part of this commandments thread has begun. I suppose that may be telling about myself more than the thread, but maybe you guys can help sort it out.

Poppyseed wrote:

King [Lamoni’s father] said he would give up his sins to know God. Knowing God is becoming like him, not knowing about him or just acting like what we think love is.

I prefer to think of sacrifice as “letting go” or “laying aside” our security blankets as we progressively “wake up”.

I’ve been considering lately that the purpose of life is to see if we can “escape the sleep”, “wake up”, “know ourselves”, “see the light”, etc. while yet in the flesh. That’s maybe what it is to “beat this level”. We beat this level as we become totally awake (filled with light/love). The core meaning of waking up is to see ourselves and others for who we really are (“know God”).

I think our security blankets really do keep us safe and secure while we are asleep. I don’t think we could survive without them as long as we are asleep. But we can’t beat the level with our eyes closed.

So here’s where I think the “spiritual practice” of sacrifice comes in handy. Even though I am asleep and truly “need” my security blankets for sheer survival (suicide or self-destruction avoidance), I follow the commandment of my guru (dad, bishop, church) and “sacrifice” by tithing, serving, fasting, etc. The sacrifice causes me terror and pain. And with a bit of faith and luck, I may possibly reach out in the direction of waking up (love/light) to resolve the pain.

In other words, I don’t think commandments about sacrifice are eternal. But if wisely undertaken, they may be a powerfully bold spiritual practice if we want to turbo-boost our spiritual growth. If I sell all and give alms, if I go on a mission, if I fast, if I abstain, if I drop my security blanket in the fire, what am I left with but to reach out to the universe or deep within myself for real help and real meaning? Dangerous? Scary? Foolhardy? You tell me.

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