I’ve been thinking a lot about covenants lately, and how they are like buoys in a storm. Only by clinging to them can we be safe. When the waters get rough and we get scared or tired or lazy, we may be tempted to just let go, but it will only be at our peril. When we loose the covenant, we lose the blessings. Covenants are the surest way to keep our families safe and bind our children to us throughout eternity. I love Elder Nelson’s thoughts about the power of our covenants.
| Covenants by Elder Russell M. Nelson |
” Children of the covenant have the right to receive His doctrine and to know the plan of salvation. They claim it by making covenants of sacred significance. …
When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us. His law is written in our hearts. He is our God and we are His people. Committed children of the covenant remain steadfast, even in the midst of adversity.”
What are some of your thoughts and testimony after reading this talk? Share your thoughts or insights in the comments below.
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Diapers and Divinity 
Loved this when I heard it in conference and at the time it was a talk I wanted to study more when it came out. I read it again just now, and still think I need to read it more. I love the phrase “covenant keeper” and the progressive nature of our covenants, and that he used the words, “covenant of exaltation” in reference to celestial marriage. That’s powerful…that if we keep our covenants we are sealed to be exalted. Wow! We were in the temple with all our children this past year when our youngest was sealed to us. What an amazing tiny peek into the joy that can be ours. There just aren’t words. I do have to say it took a lot of work to get there! The months leading up to that sealing were filled with challenges for all of us…made it even more meaningful to be there together as a family.
“With tears of joy, she thanked God for sacred temple covenants.” (from the Russian woman)
I am so grateful for my temple covenants. I recently went to the temple with my husband and we decided to do sealings. It had been a long time since we had done that – although we have been to several live sealings. The feelings of joy and gratitude I felt in that session has stayed with me ever since.
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“Some of us are the literal seed of Abraham; others are gathered into his family by adoption. The Lord makes NO DISTINCTION.”
My testimony continually grows that Heavenly Father loves each of his children and will give each of us every opportunity to return to him. He is truly no respecter of person and loves us all.
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“When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us. His law is written in our hearts. He is our God and we are His people. Committed children of the covenant remain steadfast, even in the midst of adversity. When that doctrine is deeply implanted in our hearts, even the sting of death is soothed and our spiritual stamina is strengthened.”
I loved this whole paragraph! What a beautiful reminder.
It also reminded me of something I read in the Ensign last night.
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/02/handling-criticism-in-our-callings?lang=eng
This article is one that I could have written. The only difference is that the person writing this article stopped coming to church for a time then returned. I have continued to go to church but it has been very hard. Sometimes I have wondered why I continue to go. When I read this in the article (and reconfirmed by this talk by Elder Nelson), I realized why: “What would matter, though, was whether I kept my covenants. It would matter—both to my family and me—if I was attending church, renewing my covenants in sacrament meeting, and continuing to serve.”
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Thank you, Stephanie, for taking the time to post this talk and your thoughts! I’m glad I had a chance to jot down my thoughts and will keep pondering on this talk throughout the week.
I am so thankful for my covenants and for the covenants my children are starting to make themselves. I find myself clinging more and more to the gospel. I did a few initiatories last week and could not get enough of hearing the blessings. I feel such a peace at the temple, even when my life is crazy! I feel safe at the temple, I feel loved, I feel hope, I feel that angels are close and my Savior is even closer. I loved this talk!
This is a great reminder of what is means to be a “covenant keeper”. Although these covenants require things of us, like most of the things the Lord does, what we reap in the end (and during the process) is far greater than what we may give or sacrifice.
God is a god of order and how He has used covenants to bless people throughout time and help us to return to Him is a good example of that, I think. Elder Nelson said the Book of Mormon “helps us to make covenants with God.” I had not thought of that before.
Also, some great insights into the importance of covenants: “When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us. His law is written in our hearts. He is our God and we are Hi people. Committed children of the covenant remain steadfast, even in the midst of adversity. When that doctrine is deeply implanted in our hearts, even the sting of death is soothed and our spiritual stamina is strengthened.”
Beautiful talk to read over Valentines week. “Celestial mariage is the covenant of exaltation”
I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, he loves me, and I love Him. – “His law is written in my heart”
This quote hit me: Chidlren of the covenant hav e aright to receive doctrine. They claim it when they make covenants.
I thought of one of the greatest blessing of covenant keeping…receiving the Holy Ghost. What a blessing it is to learn doctrine as we are living it.
“This is the time of the promised gathering of Israel. And we get to participate! Isn’t that exciting?”
That’s the line that struck me, and I think it was because of his enthusiasm. We live in such a wonderful time of the earth’s history. We have marvelous blessings and opportunities available for us. We ought to be thrilled to be able to participate in so many exciting activities. Sometimes I find I’m not, so I appreciated the reminder. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a member of Christ’s church now and to be able to make and keep covenants. And we “get” to help others do the same. It is exciting!
I am playing catch-up after getting behind during our move. Just studied this wonderful talk!