Student Success Statement

"When obedience becomes our goal, it is no longer an irritation; instead of a stumbling block, it becomes a building block."

- James E. Faust

Reflection:

Obedience is apparently not my goal, since it is more of an irritation than a building block. Becoming a meek follower, depends on who the leader is. I can only be obedient to a cause I believe in. If that isn't the case, then I will continue to be insubordinate. All these rules and regulations I live under...they're suffocating me. I honestly can't live under this oppression for much longer, and if that means I go down that path that everyone frowns upon, believe me, I'll do it. All obedience ever got me was stupid pent up emotions and a quivering fist. I feel like deep down, I'm hardwired for violence. If choosing the right is all I've ever done up to now, then I know I'm starting to change. Trying to hold yourself together because someone else is telling you to isn't what I want. It's not what anyone wants.

I've seen too many things that have only shown me this: enforced obedience by authority spark rebellions.

Needless to say, if I was placed under pressure by my superiors, I would rather fight back than surrender.

Student Success Statement

"Obedience is the great test of life."

-Thomas S. Monson

Reflection:

I get it. Obedience is everything, this man [Thomas Monson] has only emphasized it so many times, that the words ring in my ears interminably. "Obedience is this, obedience is that, you can't be happy without obedience, Obedience is freedom," we get it.

However, just because I understand his meaning, doesn't mean I accept it or believe it.

I repeat, I don't accept or believe the fact that obedience is everything just because an old and weird man keeps saying it.

If Lucifer himself told us to do something, would we be obedient to such a man?

Would we be obedient if we knew we were doing the wrong thing?

If hurting someone else was my command, but I thought it was wrong. I wouldn't do it.

If obedience is the great test of life, then I'm sorry, but I'm failing it.