This is one of the first insights in Messages from the Scriptures. It was originally posted at my publisher's blog (and of course, it can be found in the book itself).
God’s commandments pertaining to the giving and taking of life are of tremendous importance.
God that made the world and all things therein, . . . he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. (Acts 17:25)
God is the one who has given life to all, and it is He who appoints when men should die. Perhaps one of the most obvious examples of this power is the Flood, when God eliminated nearly everyone, but preserved the lives of Noah’s family (see 1 Peter 3:20). Also interesting are the first two commandments that the Lord reiterated immediately after the Flood: “For man shall not shed the blood of man. For a commandment I give, that every man’s brother shall preserve the life of man, for in mine own image have I made man. And a commandment I give unto you, Be ye fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly on the earth, and multiply therein” (Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 9:12–14). This dual commandment is echoed in countless instances. Truly the commandments that pertain to the giving of life and the taking of it are among the most important of all. Why? Alma taught that “this life [is] a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God” (Alma 12:24). This life has eternal significance, and certain acts we perform have everlasting consequences. It should come as no surprise that two of the weightiest commandments deal with the creation and destruction of life (see Alma 39:4–5). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained: “Clearly among [God’s] greatest concerns regarding mortality are how one gets into this world and how one gets out of it” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Personal Purity,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 76).
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