Ten commandments form basis of civilized society
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President Ezra Taft Benson has spoken and written many times on topics pertaining to the commandments of God, including the Ten Commandments.
He once noted that one of Satan's most frequently used deceptions is the notion that the commandments of God are meant to restrict freedom and limit happiness, but the opposite is true. "The gospel plan is the plan by which men are brought to a fulness of joy," he said."Because of His infinite love, God has seen fit from the very beginning of this earth to give men commandments," President Benson said. "These commandments were designed to exalt man from his fallen state to a state of righteousness and joy."
On another occasion, President Benson declared: "Our problems for the most part are directly traceable to the transgression of those sacred laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai over three thousand years ago. These eternal laws were honored by our Founding Fathers. But today worship and service to God have noticeably declined. . . . Blasphemy, foul stories, and questionable humor characterize films, television programs, and the daily conversations of many Americans. The Sabbath has become a desecrated day of amusement. Idleness, greed, covetousness, cheating, lying, stealing, shoplifting, and immorality are commonplace in our society."
President Benson further said:
"There are principles that may bring us back into heaven's favor again. The Ten Commandments came from God Himself to Moses, and form the foundation of civilized society. Designed by the Almighty, these laws plumb the depths of human motives and urges, and, if adhered to, will regulate the baser passions of mankind. No nation has ever perished that has kept the commandments of God." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 357-358, 408, 577.)
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Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson; Church Educational System Student Manual: Old Testament, Genesis-2 Samuel; and Studies in Scripture - Vol. 3, The Old Testament, edited by Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet.
