McConkie on Life's Purpose

While reading Andrew C. Skinner's "Third Nephi - The Fifth Gospel," I came across the following quote by Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

"Viewed from our mortal position, the gospel is all that is required to take us back to the Eternal Presence, there to be crowned with glory and honor, immortality and eternal life.  To gain these greatest of all rewards, two things are required.  The first is the atonement by which all men are raised in immortality, with those who believe and obey ascending also unto eternal life.  This atoning sacrifice was the work of our Blessed Lord, and he has done his work.  The second requisite is obedience on our part to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.  Thus the gospel is, in effect, the atonement."

What I believe he is saying is that the entire purpose of life is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which can be toned down to two parts:  The atonement and our obedience.  The atonement was Christ's role to play, and he did so,  In Gethsemane he atoned for our sins, on Golgotha he died, and in the sepulcher he was resurrected.

That leaves the second part, for us to obey the commandments of God.  In order to obey them though, we must know what they are.  Often I think when we hear the word "commandments" we think of the ten commandments as set forth by the Law of Moses:

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3; Mosiah 12:35)

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. (Exodus 20:4; Mosiah 12:36)

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. (Exodus 20:7; Mosiah 13:15)

4.Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8; Mosiah 13:16)

5. Honour thy father and thy mother. (Exodus 20:12; Mosiah 13:20; Matthew 19:19)

6. Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13; Mosiah 13:21; Matthew 19:18)

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14; Mosiah 13:22; Matthew 19:18)

8. Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15; Mosiah 13:22; Matthew 19:18)

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness. (Exodus 20:16; Mosiah 13:23; Matthew 19:18)

10. Thou shalt not covet. (Exodus 20:17; Mosiah 13:24)

When Christ came to live out his mortal ministry on earth he brought with him the higher law, one to replace the fulfilled Law of Moses.  This higher law was given during the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon includes the Be-attitudes, and greater commandments.  This sermon can be found in the New Testament's book of Matthew chapter 5.  It is by following these commandments set forth here by the Savior that we may inherit the rewards of immortality and eternal life talked about by Elder McConkie.

Learn More:
Click the link below to read more about the Atonement:
https://ourpurposeinlife.wordpress.com/why-were-here/atonement/
Click the link below to read what more people have to say on the purpose of life:
http://mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-life/