Covenant Belonging
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the role of covenants in our relationship with God?
- How does Elder Gong define "covenant belonging"?
- What are the blessings associated with keeping covenants?
- How does the Book of Mormon serve as a testament of covenant belonging?
- What role does priesthood authority play in covenant belonging?
- How does covenant belonging influence marriage and family relationships?
Topics
Understanding the Concept of Covenant Belonging
Elder Gong defines covenant belonging as making and keeping solemn promises to God and each other through sacred ordinances, which invite the power of godliness to be manifest in our lives. It gives us a sense of place, narrative, and the capacity to become more than we are. It is through covenant belonging that we find and become our best eternal self.
Covenant belonging is to make and keep solemn promises to God and each other through sacred ordinances that invite the power of godliness to be manifest in our lives.
When we covenant all we are, we can become more than we are. Covenant belonging gives us place, narrative, capacity to become. It produces faith unto life and salvation.
- What is covenant belonging according to Elder Gong?
- How does covenant belonging help us become our best eternal self?
- How have you experienced covenant belonging in your life?
- What can you do to deepen your sense of covenant belonging?
The Blessings of Covenant Belonging
Elder Gong shares that covenant belonging centers in Jesus Christ and brings blessings both temporal and spiritual. As we honor our covenants, we may feel the company of angels and experience the love and blessings from both sides of the veil.
To belong with God and to walk with each other on His covenant path is to be blessed by covenant belonging.
The “happy state of those that keep the commandments of God” is to be “blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual,” and to “dwell with God in … never-ending happiness.”
- What are some blessings associated with covenant belonging?
- How does covenant belonging center in Jesus Christ?
- How have you experienced the blessings of covenant belonging?
- What can you do to better honor your covenants and receive these blessings?
The Book of Mormon and Covenant Belonging
Elder Gong explains that the Book of Mormon is a testament of covenant belonging. It serves as a guide and invites us to enter into a covenant with the Lord. As we read and apply its teachings, we can receive the blessings promised in the doctrine of Christ.
Second, the Book of Mormon is evidence we can hold in our hand of covenant belonging.
The Book of Mormon invites each of us, in Alma’s words, to enter “into a covenant with [the Lord], that [we] will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon [us].”
- How does the Book of Mormon serve as a testament of covenant belonging?
- What does the Book of Mormon invite us to do in relation to covenants?
- How has the Book of Mormon helped you understand and live your covenants?
- What can you do to deepen your study of the Book of Mormon and its teachings about covenants?
Priesthood Authority and Covenant Belonging
Elder Gong discusses the role of priesthood authority in covenant belonging. He explains that priesthood blessings can heal, comfort, and counsel, and that priesthood authority can seal covenant relationships in heaven.
Restored priesthood authority and power to bless all His children is a third dimension of covenant belonging.
God’s priesthood and His ordinances sweeten relationships on earth and can seal covenant relationships in heaven.
- What role does priesthood authority play in covenant belonging?
- How can priesthood blessings impact our covenant relationships?
- How have you experienced the blessings of priesthood authority in your life?
- What can you do to better understand and appreciate the role of priesthood authority in covenant belonging?
Covenant Belonging in Marriage and Family Relationships
Elder Gong speaks about the blessings of covenant belonging in marriage and family relationships. He shares that covenant marriage becomes supernal and eternal as we choose the happiness of our spouse and family before our own. He also shares personal examples to illustrate the blessings of generational covenant belonging.
Finally, the blessings of covenant belonging come when we follow the Lord’s prophet and rejoice in temple-covenant living, including in marriage.
Covenant marriage becomes supernal and eternal as we daily choose the happiness of our spouse and family before our own.
- How does covenant belonging influence marriage and family relationships?
- What does it mean for a marriage to be supernal and eternal?
- How has covenant belonging blessed your marriage or family relationships?
- What can you do to strengthen your commitment to covenant living in your family?
