Commandments and Boundaries
There is safety in boundaries. Driving lanes on the road, a fenced area warning of a nearby cliff, or even screen time limits on a phone—all of these are examples of boundaries, meant to protect us from danger.
Envision a controlled burn in a forest. The controlled burn works because it’s controlled. Boundaries are set to keep the fire from spreading, while the controlled fire simultaneously burns dead underbrush and even replenishes nutrients in the soil.
Fish living inside a coral reef also benefit from boundaries. The coral affords protection from predators, but outside the reef, fish are exposed and must fend for themselves.
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine why a boundary exists—particularly when there is no apparent hazard in sight. But even in these moments, boundaries and rules still have their purpose.
And so it is with the commandments of God. Boundaries and commandments alike play a critical role in providing the necessary structure and protection for thriving. God’s love is evidenced by His boundaries–His commandments. He knows that His commandments lead to personal refinement and growth, freedom from regret and poor choices, and joy.[1] God then lets each of us choose for ourselves whether we will obey.
One of the great gifts in life is God’s gift of agency, the ability for each of us to choose who and what we will be. God desires for His children to not only “do” what is right but to “choose” to do what is right.[2]
These anonymous words from a hymn affirm this point:
Know this, that ev’ry soul is free
To choose his life and what he’ll be;
For this eternal truth is giv’n:
That God will force no man to heav’n.
He’ll call, persuade, direct aright,
And bless with wisdom, love, and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind.[3]
The eternal love of God shines through in His commandments. His commandments and their boundaries are given for this purpose: to help us choose the very best life—a life that leads to expanding joy.
[1] See Mosiah 2:41.
[2] See Dale G. Renlund, “Choose You This Day,” Liahona, Nov. 2018, 104.
[3] “Know This, That Every Soul Is Free,” Hymns, no. 240.
July 20, 2025
Broadcast Number 5,001
The Tabernacle Choir
Orchestra at Temple Square
Conductor
Mack Wilberg
Organist
Brian Mathias
Host
Derrick Porter
With Joyful Voices Ringing
William Tarrant: Arr. Mack Wilberg
Awake and Arise, All Ye Children of Light
Welsh Tune (The Ash Grove); Arr. Mack Wilberg
Festive Trumpet Tune
David German
Sheep May Safely Graze
Johann Sebastian Bach; Arr. Mack Wilberg
Hold On, from The Secret Garden
Lucy Simon; Arr. Ryan Murphy
Teach Me to Walk in the Light
Clara W. McMaster; Arr. Mack Wilberg
I Believe in Christ
John Longhurst; Arr. Mack Wilberg