I came across something that the Prophet Joseph Smith said in while reading D&C 130:20-21 during my personal scripture study this morning.
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated?¢‚Ǩ‚Äùand when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
I understand the premise behind it: the Lord blesses us when we are obedient. It makes sense. We mortals seem to be motivated by reward and recognition and this setup acknowledges that.
I wonder though if Joseph Smith is speaking literally in this regard. When he says “any blessing”, does he truly mean any blessing> Does he truly mean that we receive blessings only because we are obedient to laws to which those blessings are attached? Does he truly mean that God never blesses us simply because He loves us and wants to express that love in beneficence?
Yes; because if he did, he would be a respecter of persons.
yes He could have but then what would have been the point of us coming here to gain a body but to learn obedience. We are no different as His children as our children are to us. Sure they will do something if you ask them well most of the time but they would rather do it if they get a reward.
“A man’s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.”
-Albert Einstein