Freedom vs. Commandments

I have always been interested in the unusual dichotomies within the LDS doctrine.  The most often discussed is the mercy vs. justice dilemma.  But another that is very important is the commandment vs. freedom paradox.  It seems like a paradox, because our Father in Heaven gives us commandments at the same time as he claims to grant us freedom.  As a parent, it does seem like an impossible situation to resolve.  I want my children to have freedom so they will learn to be independent and responsible, but at the same time I want to give them rules to protect and guide them.



In the Pearl of Great Price, a description of the paradox in the Garden of Eden was provided as follows:

And I, the Lord God, commanded the man, saying: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat,
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Moses 3:16-17)

See the paradox?  Both the commandment and the freedom were given.  Why was that act was forbidden by God?  Isn't knowledge good?  It was because there would be consequences.  And those consequences were real, and often devastating.  But Eve, ate of the tree, and then gave Adam the fruit.  And there was a way prepared that would lead, not just Adam and Eve, but all their posterity forward to kingdoms of glory.  That's the great plan of happiness.

As a Mormon whose orientation is gay, I don't find it surprising that the church takes a strong stand against gay marriage.  It stems from a commandment given to address consequences due to certain actions.  But it's still a choice we have to make.  I don't have a problem with people who follow their consciences and vote either way in the gay marriage debate.  Some choose the path of strict obedience to commandments and wish to institute them within the laws of the land, to help protect society from consequences.  Others choose to institute freedom, liberty to let people choose for themselves.  Both can be seen as noble, and both are necessary.  If we don't have both voices, the great plan of happiness will never be realized.

How can the paradox be resolved?  Perhaps it works for our Heavenly Parents because both the commandment and the freedom were given in love, not in selfishness, anger, indigence, self-justification, pride, fear, or any other motivation.  We need to make our decisions in love.