Verse 3 - Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods
“The meaning of jealous is revealing. Its Hebrew origin
means ‘possessing sensitive and deep feelings’ (Exodus 20:5, footnote b). Thus
we offend God when we ‘serve’ other gods—when we have other first priorities”
(“No Other Gods,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 72).
-Dallin H. Oaks
President Spencer W. Kimball said:
“Whatever thing a man sets his heart and his trust in most
is his god; and if his god doesn’t also happen to be the true and living God of
Israel, that man is laboring in idolatry” (“The False Gods We Worship,” Ensign,
June 1976, 4).
President Kimball also taught:
“Modern idols or false gods can take such forms as clothes,
homes, businesses, machines, automobiles, pleasure boats, and numerous other
material deflectors from the path to godhood. What difference does it make that
the item concerned is not shaped like an idol? Brigham Young said: ‘I would as
soon see a man worshipping a little god made of brass or wood as to see him
worshipping his property.’
“Intangible things make just as ready gods. Degrees and letters
and titles become idols. …
“… Young married couples who postpone parenthood until their
degrees are attained might be shocked if their expressed preference were
labeled idolatry. …
“Many worship the hunt, the fishing trip, the vacation, the
weekend picnics and outings. … These pursuits more often than not interfere
with the worship of the Lord and with giving service to the building up of the
kingdom of God” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 40–41).
Verse 4 - Thou Shalt Have No Graven Images
“When we put God first, all other things fall into their
proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the
claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and
the order of our priorities” (“The Great Commandment—Love the Lord,” Ensign,
May 1988, 4).
Verse 7 - Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of God in Vain
President Spencer W. Kimball shared the following
experience:
“In the hospital one day I was wheeled out of the operating room
by an attendant who stumbled, and there issued from his angry lips vicious
cursing with a combination of the names of the Savior. Even half-conscious, I
recoiled and implored: ‘Please! Please! That is my Lord whose names you
revile.’ There was a deathly silence, then a subdued voice whispered: ‘I am
sorry’” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982],
198).
Another great quote...
“There is an additional implication in the commandment to
avoid taking the name of God in vain. An integral part of living the gospel is
the making of oaths and covenants with God. When a person is baptized he
covenants to take the name of Christ upon himself (see D&C 20:37). If he
forgets that solemn oath made at baptism, he has taken the name of the Lord in
vain. At temple altars men and women covenant to abide by sacred commitments.
If they leave those temples and live as though the promises have no meaning,
they violate the third commandment even though they may not speak actual
profanity. Those who take the sacrament each week with little or no thought for
the covenant to take His name upon them, keep His commandments, and always
remember Him, take His name in vain. Such light treatment of sacred things
constitutes vainness in the sight of God. The Lord Himself said in modern
revelation, ‘Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their
lips—for behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this
condemnation, who use the name of the Lord, and use it in vain, having not
authority’ (D&C 63:61–62).
“In addition to religious oaths and covenants, many formal
acts in modern society are accompanied by solemn oaths and vows. And yet
frequently these oaths are dismissed or set aside. Clearly the violation of
such oaths is a violation of the third commandment also” (Old Testament Student
Manual: Genesis–2 Samuel, 3rd ed. [Church Educational System manual, 2003],
129).
Verse 8 - Honor the Sabbath Day
"How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years,
I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things
not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the
scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign
between me and my Heavenly Father.12 With that understanding, I no longer
needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an
activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do
I want to give to God?” That question made my choices about the Sabbath day
crystal clear."
Russell M. Nelson (The Sabbath is a Delight, April 2015)
Verse 12 - Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother
Draw close to Dad and Mom. When family prayer and home
evening are suggested, don’t pull away. Join in and make it real. Do your part
to develop real family unity and family solidarity. In such homes there is no
generation gap. This is another tool of the adversary—to drive children and
parents apart. Yes, keep close to Dad and Mom. (Ezra Taft Benson, "A Message to the Rising Generation", Nov. 1977)
Verse 13 - Thou Shalt Not Kill
There are some situations when someone may kill another
person with different intentions from those associated with murder. These
circumstances might include self-defense or war (although some may still have
murderous intentions in war). Killing in such situations does not constitute
murder. Regarding killing as part of war, President Harold B. Lee explained,
“There is … a vast difference in destroying life while acting under the mandate
of a sovereign nation whom we are in duty bound to obey and wantonly killing on
our own responsibility” (“The Sixth Commandment—Part Two,” The Ten Commandments
Today: A Discussion of the Decalog [1955], 94; see also Alma 43:45–47).
In Exodus 20:13, the word kill was translated from a Hebrew
word that means murder. Murder means to intentionally and illegally end another
person’s life. In the latter days, the Lord has expanded our understanding of
this commandment by saying, “Thou shalt not … kill, nor do anything like unto
it” (D&C 59:6). While Latter-day prophets have not stated that abortion is
murder, they have taught that abortion for personal or social convenience fits
into the scriptural description of “anything like unto it.” Murder does not
include police or military action in the line of duty.
Prophets have affirmed that human life is sacred and is to
be respected. Entertainment and media that glorifies or presents as acceptable
murder and other forms of violence should be avoided. Such entertainment and
media influence our attitudes and thoughts and offend the Spirit. (See For the
Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 11–13, 22–23.) (Old Testament Seminary Student Manual)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles taught:
“[Why did] Alma … warn his son Corianton that sexual
transgression is ‘an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable
above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy
Ghost?’ [Alma 39:5].
“By assigning such seriousness to a physical appetite so
universally bestowed, what is God trying to tell us about its place in His plan
for all men and women? I submit to you He is doing precisely that—commenting
about the very plan of life itself. Clearly among His greatest concerns
regarding mortality are how one gets into this world and how one gets out of
it. He has set very strict limits in these matters” (“Personal Purity,” Ensign,
Nov. 1998, 76).
“Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and
sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression
of love between husband and wife. God has commanded that sexual intimacy be
reserved for marriage” (For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 35).
Adultery means sexual relations between a married individual and someone other
than his or her spouse. Any sexual relations outside the bond of marriage
between a man and a woman, including homosexual behavior, violate the Lord’s
law of chastity. (Old Testament Seminary Student Manual)
Verse 15 - Thou Shalt Not Steal
“Be honest with yourself, others, and God at all times.
Being honest means choosing not to lie, steal, cheat, or deceive in any way. …
“Dishonesty harms you and harms others as well. If you lie, steal, shoplift, or cheat, you damage your spirit and your relationships with others. Being honest will enhance your future opportunities and your ability to be guided by the Holy Ghost” (For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 19).
President Howard W. Hunter taught about ways in which the
commandment to not bear false witness is broken:
“Primarily this commandment has reference to false testimony
in judicial proceedings, but it is extended to cover all statements which are
false in fact. Any untruth which tends to injure another in his goods, person,
or character is against the spirit and letter of this law. Suppression of the
truth which results in the same injury is also a violation of this commandment”
(in Conference Report, Apr. 1965, 57).
“Dishonesty harms you and harms others as well. If you lie, steal, shoplift, or cheat, you damage your spirit and your relationships with others. Being honest will enhance your future opportunities and your ability to be guided by the Holy Ghost” (For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 19).
