The Fifth Commandment

I can afford to be preachy about this.  Though we sometimes harbor diametrically opposing opinions, I have tried to treat my parents with honor and respect.

I honestly try to follow the Fifth Commandment:  "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)

Relevant counsel from President Monson:

How do you honor your parents? I like the words of William Shakespeare: “They do not love that do not show their love.”  There are countless ways in which you can show true love to your mothers and your fathers. You can obey them and follow their teachings, for they will never lead you astray. You can treat them with respect. They have sacrificed much and continue to sacrifice in your behalf.

Be honest with your mother and your father. One reflection of such honesty with parents is to communicate with them. Avoid the silent treatment.

Don’t wait until that light from your household is gone; don’t wait until that voice you know is stilled before you say, “I love you, Mother; I love you, Father.” Now is the time to think and the time to thank. I trust you will do both. You have a heritage; honor it.  (Thomas S. Monson)

There can be no dichotomy in fulfilling this unequivocal commandment.  There is no "Yeah, but..." argument that justifies disobedience.  Every person on this earth has a father and mother, and bears a responsibility to honor them and be respectful to them.

It is important to set our priorities.  President Ezra Taft Benson:

Why did God put the first commandment first? Because He knew that if we truly loved Him we would want to keep all of His other commandments. “For this is the love of God,” says John, “that we keep his commandments” (1 John 5:3; see also 2 John 1:6).

We must put God in the forefront of everything else in our lives. He must come first, just as He declares in the first of His Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

 When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.  (The Great Commandment:  Love the Lord).