Standing by Our Promises and Covenants
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the significance of making and keeping promises and covenants according to Elder Rasband?
- How does Elder Rasband describe the role of Jesus Christ as our exemplar in keeping promises and covenants?
- What personal experiences and scriptural examples does Elder Rasband use to illustrate his points?
- What are the consequences of not keeping our promises and covenants?
- What does Elder Rasband say about the connection between our promises to others and our promises to the Lord?
Topics
Understanding the Importance of Promises and Covenants
Elder Rasband stresses the importance of making and keeping promises and covenants. He asks listeners to consider the significance of keeping their word, being trustworthy, and honoring their sacred covenants. He highlights that by living true to our promises, we walk the covenant path back to our Father in Heaven.
The importance of making and keeping promises and covenants weighs heavy on my mind.
By living true to our promises to the Lord and to others, we walk the covenant path back to our Father in Heaven and we feel His love in our lives.
- What does Elder Rasband mean when he says that by living true to our promises, we walk the covenant path back to our Father in Heaven?
- Why does Elder Rasband emphasize the importance of being trustworthy and keeping our word?
- How can you strive to be more diligent in keeping your promises and covenants?
- Reflect on a time when you kept a promise or covenant and felt the Lord's love in your life.
Recognizing Jesus Christ as Our Exemplar in Keeping Promises and Covenants
Elder Rasband highlights that Jesus Christ is our ultimate example when it comes to making and keeping promises and covenants. He reminds us that Christ came to earth promising to do the will of the Father, and He honored every one of His promises.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our great Exemplar when it comes to making and keeping promises and covenants.
He came to earth promising to do the will of the Father. He taught gospel principles in word and in deed. He atoned for our sins that we might live again. He has honored every one of His promises.
- How did Jesus Christ demonstrate His commitment to keeping promises and covenants?
- Why is Jesus Christ our ultimate example in this regard?
- How can you strive to follow Christ's example in keeping your promises and covenants?
- Reflect on a time when you were inspired by Christ's example to keep a promise or covenant.
Reflecting on the Consequences of Not Keeping Promises and Covenants
Elder Rasband encourages listeners to consider the consequences of not fully following through with commitments or walking away from covenants. He emphasizes that keeping promises is a characteristic of being a disciple of Jesus Christ, not merely a habit.
What are the dangers if we cheat a little, slip a little, or do not quite follow through with our commitments? What if we walk away from our covenants?
Keeping promises is not a habit; it is a characteristic of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
- What does Elder Rasband imply are the dangers of not keeping our promises and covenants?
- Why does Elder Rasband say that keeping promises is a characteristic of being a disciple of Jesus Christ, not a habit?
- Reflect on a time when you faced the consequences of not keeping a promise or covenant. What did you learn from that experience?
- How can you strive to make keeping promises and covenants a characteristic of your discipleship?
Connecting Our Promises to Others with Our Promises to the Lord
Elder Rasband discusses the connection between keeping promises to others and keeping promises to the Lord. He emphasizes that when we keep promises to one another, we are more likely to keep promises to the Lord.
When we keep promises to one another, we are more likely to keep promises to the Lord.
Remember the Lord’s words: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
- How does Elder Rasband connect keeping promises to others with keeping promises to the Lord?
- What does the scripture reference Matthew 25:40 mean in the context of this talk?
- Reflect on a time when keeping a promise to someone else helped you keep a promise to the Lord.
- How can you strive to be more diligent in keeping your promises to both others and the Lord?
Emphasizing the Role of Covenants in Our Spiritual Growth and Salvation
Elder Rasband underscores the role of covenants in our spiritual growth and salvation. He reminds us that covenants are two-way promises between us and the Lord, and when we keep these covenants with precision, they bind us to Him and give us godly power.
A covenant is a two-way promise between us and the Lord.
We … increase the Savior’s power in our lives when we make sacred covenants and keep those covenants with precision. Our covenants bind us to Him and give us godly power.
- What does Elder Rasband mean when he says that a covenant is a two-way promise between us and the Lord?
- How do covenants bind us to the Lord and give us godly power?
- Reflect on a time when keeping a covenant brought godly power into your life.
- How can you strive to be more precise in keeping your covenants with the Lord?
