May 11, 2026

Deuteronomy 6:2 That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

There are many scriptures that mention keeping the commandments that thy days may be prolonged. While I believe the commandments do indeed help extend early life generally, sometimes that is not always the case. Sometimes righteous people leave this life early, leaving holes in the hearts of their loved ones. Sometimes they leave questions, as well. Didn't God promise prolonged days? Why, then, did their life end when they were righteous?

While the commandments do lead to longer earthly life, because of the agency of others and sometimes even for unknown reasons, mortality may end early. But for those who follow Christ and His statutes, their days will be prolonged through eternity upon this earth that will be renewed and receive it's paradisical glory as the Celestial Kingdom. Following Him may not lead to never dying - death is part of the plan - but it will always lead to eternal life.

When we read scriptures, it's good to acknowledge the temporal promises and applications, but imperative to see the spiritual and eternal principal. There is nothing that is only temporal.

Deuteronomy 6 teaches is to love God with all our heart, soul, and might, and then in the next verse says to write these words (commandments) in our hearts. This makes me think of Christ's admonishment and explanation of what it means to love God when He said "if ye love me keep my commandments" (John 14:15). The heart is a universal symbol for love and a scriptural symbol for our wills/desires. As our desire becomes to follow Christ and His commandments, and align our will with His, that is how we love Him.

How often should we teach the commandments to our children? How often should we point them towards Christ?

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.