The scriptures teach that the Lord has no interest in someone who comes to him with reservations, qualifications, or exceptions. He expects us to love him with all our might, mind, and strength. But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul (Josh 22:5). If we cannot keep this first and great commandment, we are of no use to him. As the Lord told the Laodiceans, I know thy words, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth…be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Rev 3:15-20).
"To cleave unto God," means to hold on fast. It is the verb used to describe the appropriate relationship between husband and wife, Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Gen 2:24). In our marriage relationship, as with our relationship with the Lord, we are to be constantly faithful, ever cleaving unto our beloved. There is no allowance for occasional excursions away. The Lord does not want us to try another partner for a while or to turn from the Lord for a season. Such is the nature of enduring to the end.
Mark E. Petersen
"Any married man who pays attention to any woman other than his wife, to that extent is in rebellion against Almighty God, and any woman who is married and receives attention from any other man is flying in the face of Providence and violating the law of heaven." (Conference Reports, Oct. 1954, p. 18)
John Taylor
"In regard to the work in which we are engaged, we all feel to a certain extent interested therein, and there are many points that it will be necessary for us to reflect upon. One is, that it is 'not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.' And it is for us to square our lives according to the principles laid down for all of us…and for every man to magnify his calling with singleness of heart before God, and to feel that God demands of us righteousness, truth and integrity in our hearts; that we cleave unto him, observe his laws and keep his commandments; and if we do this, then the blessings of which we have heard are ours; if we do not we shall not possess them." (Conference Reports, Apr. 1880, p. 30)
Orson Hyde
"Brethren and sisters, I rejoice in the Lord our God, that he has moved graciously in favor of the Latter-day Saints; and inasmuch as we will forsake all evil and cleave unto him we shall find that his words unto us will be fulfilled, where he declares, 'I will fight your battles.' I would rather live near to God and serve him with all my heart and soul, might, mind and strength, than fight my own battles." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 16, p. 14)