Great comment, Nathaniel. I agree that the Lord’s instructions matter. Without them, we wouldn’t know how to be good “keepers of the flock” or “tenders of the garden.” In exploring the meaning of shamar, I hoped to show that commandments are part of that tending: they guide us, shape us, and help us know how to act.
At the same time, the purpose of the article was to open a broader perspective. As I wrote about keeping the commandments, “While it certainly includes what we do and what we refrain from doing, it does not simply mean flawless performance.” The line between tending and neglect isn’t measured by perfect execution but by the direction of the heart and the willingness to keep returning.
I love what D&C 82:8–9 teaches: Commandments are God’s directions for our good. When we follow them, we avoid unnecessary sorrow and experience greater joy. More importantly, as we follow them, we become more Christlike. And because we all fall short, it’s reassuring to remember that we haven’t failed as long as we keep tending, keep returning, and keep growing.
JuelApril 28, 2026
I was raised in the 1940's and 50's farmland of SE Idaho, and my teachers, secular and Church, were honorable people, but taught a harsher, more judgmental, Old Testament view of god. Fortunately, i had a wonderful mother who taught me a softer side. She was one of the most kind, merciful, forgiving, and charitable people I've known, and my paradigm of my Heavenly Parents is that of my parents, only perfect. Apostle Gong said God doesn't look for loopholes to punish us, but to save us. I believe that and appreciate this article.
Ed JesseeApril 28, 2026
Excellent - spiritually, llinguisticallly and practically
NathanielApril 28, 2026
How can I compliment this article without implying that checking boxes and performance are the most important? More needs to be said about the line between tending and neglect.
MaryannApril 27, 2026
Oh, my! Thank you so much for this gentle perspective of what it means to follow our Savior. So many times we get bogged down with our imperfections and become discouraged. I often wonder how many have left church activity because they felt unworthy because of sin or weakness. We all sin, and we are all weak in some way. The important absolute truth is that Jesus stands ready to forgive and to help us continue on His path throughout our lives. We need to accept His love and trust Him. We need to go to him for forgiveness and feel his power. He does not "write us off" no matter how many mistakes we have made, or repeated. He IS with us, and is a merciful God, and is anxious to comfort and cleanse us continually.
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Steve Densley, Jr.April 28, 2026
Great comment, Nathaniel. I agree that the Lord’s instructions matter. Without them, we wouldn’t know how to be good “keepers of the flock” or “tenders of the garden.” In exploring the meaning of shamar, I hoped to show that commandments are part of that tending: they guide us, shape us, and help us know how to act. At the same time, the purpose of the article was to open a broader perspective. As I wrote about keeping the commandments, “While it certainly includes what we do and what we refrain from doing, it does not simply mean flawless performance.” The line between tending and neglect isn’t measured by perfect execution but by the direction of the heart and the willingness to keep returning. I love what D&C 82:8–9 teaches: Commandments are God’s directions for our good. When we follow them, we avoid unnecessary sorrow and experience greater joy. More importantly, as we follow them, we become more Christlike. And because we all fall short, it’s reassuring to remember that we haven’t failed as long as we keep tending, keep returning, and keep growing.
JuelApril 28, 2026
I was raised in the 1940's and 50's farmland of SE Idaho, and my teachers, secular and Church, were honorable people, but taught a harsher, more judgmental, Old Testament view of god. Fortunately, i had a wonderful mother who taught me a softer side. She was one of the most kind, merciful, forgiving, and charitable people I've known, and my paradigm of my Heavenly Parents is that of my parents, only perfect. Apostle Gong said God doesn't look for loopholes to punish us, but to save us. I believe that and appreciate this article.
Ed JesseeApril 28, 2026
Excellent - spiritually, llinguisticallly and practically
NathanielApril 28, 2026
How can I compliment this article without implying that checking boxes and performance are the most important? More needs to be said about the line between tending and neglect.
MaryannApril 27, 2026
Oh, my! Thank you so much for this gentle perspective of what it means to follow our Savior. So many times we get bogged down with our imperfections and become discouraged. I often wonder how many have left church activity because they felt unworthy because of sin or weakness. We all sin, and we are all weak in some way. The important absolute truth is that Jesus stands ready to forgive and to help us continue on His path throughout our lives. We need to accept His love and trust Him. We need to go to him for forgiveness and feel his power. He does not "write us off" no matter how many mistakes we have made, or repeated. He IS with us, and is a merciful God, and is anxious to comfort and cleanse us continually.
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