Covenants with God Strengthen, Protect, and Prepare Us for Eternal Glory
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What are the benefits of making and keeping covenants with God?
- How can we strengthen our commitment to our covenants?
- What role do covenants play in our spiritual journey and preparation for eternal life?
Topics
Understanding the Importance of Covenants
Covenants are sacred agreements between God and us. When we make and keep these covenants, we are promised blessings and protection. These covenants begin at baptism and can be further expanded in the temple.
As women who make and keep covenants with God, we share spiritual bonds that help us meet the challenges of our day and prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
When we do these things, Heavenly Father promises to forgive our sins and give us the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
Those who make further covenants in the temple receive powerful promises conditioned on personal faithfulness.
- What are the covenants we make at baptism and in the temple?
- What blessings are promised when we keep these covenants?
- What can you do to better keep your covenants?
- How have you seen the blessings of keeping your covenants in your life?
Covenants as Spiritual Anchors
Covenants act as spiritual anchors, providing us with strength and guidance in times of adversity. They connect us to Jesus Christ and His power, helping us to withstand trials and challenges.
Keeping the covenants we make with God allows us to draw upon the Savior’s power, which strengthens us in our inevitable trials, provides protection from the adversary’s influence, and prepares us for eternal glory.
With Jesus Christ as our anchor and perfect partner, we are assured of His loving strength in trial and of eventual deliverance through Him.
- How do covenants act as spiritual anchors?
- What role does Jesus Christ play in this analogy?
- How have you felt the strength of Christ in your life through your covenants?
- In what ways can you better utilize your covenants as spiritual anchors?
Strengthening Our Covenants
We can strengthen our covenants through prayer, scripture study, partaking of the sacrament, obedience to commandments, and following prophetic counsel. Living the gospel in our daily interactions and serving others also helps us to become more connected to the Savior.
How do we strengthen that anchor? We pray with a humble heart, study and ponder the scriptures, take the sacrament with a spirit of repentance and reverence, strive to keep the commandments, and follow the prophet’s counsel.
What does that “higher and holier” way look like? We try to live the gospel in all our interactions.
- What are some ways we can strengthen our covenants?
- What does it mean to live the gospel in all our interactions?
- What specific actions can you take to strengthen your covenants?
- How can you live the gospel more fully in your daily interactions?
The Eternal Significance of Covenants
Covenants have eternal significance. They bind us to God and our loved ones, promising a joyful reunion in the afterlife. Keeping our covenants is vital to our eternal progress and happiness.
When our temple covenants are in force, we can trust in a joyful reunion with loved ones on the other side of the veil.
There is nothing more important to our eternal progress than keeping our covenants with God.
- What is the eternal significance of our covenants?
- How do covenants affect our relationships with loved ones in the afterlife?
- How does understanding the eternal significance of your covenants affect your commitment to them?
- How can you better honor the covenants that bind you to your loved ones?
Navigating Adversity Through Covenants
In times of adversity, our covenants provide us with guidance and strength. They remind us of our divine identity and purpose, and help us to maintain hope and direction.
Many of us are experiencing rough waters. As we are tossed by waves of adversity and are sometimes blinded by the torrents of tears that come in those difficulties, we may not know which direction to paddle our life’s boat.
In the midst of the storm, there is a bright light to show the way. “I am the light which shineth in darkness,” Jesus declared. We are assured of safety when we look to His light and maintain the integrity of our covenants.
- How do our covenants help us during times of adversity?
- What does it mean to look to Christ's light during these times?
- How have your covenants helped you navigate adversity?
- What can you do to better rely on your covenants during difficult times?
