Study Guide for "Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ"

In this talk, Elder Ulisses Soares discusses the concept of "covenant confidence through Jesus Christ", which he describes as the quiet yet certain assurance of receiving the blessings that God promises for those who keep their covenants. He emphasizes the importance of covenants made in the temple and how they can bring sanctification to our souls and form a sacred bond with God and Jesus Christ. He also shares experiences and examples to illustrate the power of this covenant confidence in our lives.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does Elder Soares mean by "covenant confidence"?
How does temple worship contribute to our covenant confidence?
Why is it important to prepare ourselves to enter the temple?
What are the blessings of having covenant confidence?
How can we increase our covenant confidence?

Topics

Understanding Covenant Confidence

Elder Soares introduces the concept of covenant confidence, which is the assurance of receiving God's promised blessings as we keep our covenants. This confidence strengthens us in facing life's trials and challenges, and empowers us to overcome doubts and fears.

This confidence is the quiet yet certain assurance of receiving the blessings that God promises for those who keep their covenants and is so needed amid the challenging circumstances of our day.

Such confidence is the pinnacle of our divine connection with God and can help us increase our devotion to and gratitude for Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.

What is covenant confidence?
How does covenant confidence strengthen us in our trials?
In what ways can covenant confidence increase our devotion to Jesus Christ?
How have you experienced covenant confidence in your life?
What can you do to increase your covenant confidence?

The Role of Temples in Building Covenant Confidence

Elder Soares emphasizes the role of temples in building our covenant confidence. As we make covenants in the temple, we receive the power to change our hearts and renew our spirits. This leads to a deeper relationship with God and Jesus Christ, and ultimately, to the gift of eternal life.

Inscribed on the front of each temple is a solemn statement: "Holiness to the Lord."

As we make covenants in holiness before God and commit to follow the Savior, we receive the power to change our hearts, renew our spirits, and deepen our relationship with Him.

What role do temples play in building our covenant confidence?
How do the covenants we make in the temple deepen our relationship with God and Jesus Christ?
What has been your experience with making and keeping temple covenants?
How has temple worship deepened your relationship with God and Jesus Christ?

The Power of Covenant Confidence: Nephi's Example

Using Nephi's example from the Book of Mormon, Elder Soares illustrates the power of covenant confidence. Despite facing setbacks and challenges, Nephi remained confident in the Lord's promises, which enabled him to accomplish what he had been commanded to do.

As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.

Because of Nephi’s confidence in the Lord’s promises, he was able to accomplish what he had been commanded to do.

How did covenant confidence empower Nephi to accomplish his tasks?
What can we learn from Nephi's example?
How has your covenant confidence helped you to overcome challenges in your life?
How can you follow Nephi's example in your own life?

Gaining Covenant Confidence through Humility and Gospel Living

Elder Soares outlines how we can gain covenant confidence. It comes through humility, centering our lives on the Savior, living by the principles of the gospel, receiving the ordinances of salvation and exaltation, and honoring the covenants we make with God in His holy house.

How do we gain such confidence through Jesus Christ? It comes through humility, centering our lives on the Savior, living by the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, receiving the ordinances of salvation and exaltation, and honoring the covenants we make with God in His holy house.

Individual worthiness to enter the Lord’s house requires much individual spiritual preparation.

What steps can we take to gain covenant confidence?
Why is humility important in gaining covenant confidence?
What role does worthiness play in entering the Lord's house?
What steps have you taken to gain covenant confidence?
How can you better center your life on the Savior?

The Transformative Power of Temple Worship

Elder Soares speaks of the transformative power of temple worship. As we make and keep covenants in the temple, we become transformed in higher and holier ways. This transformation fills us with confidence in our covenants and changes us completely.

The house of the Lord is where we can be transformed in higher and holier ways.

I assure you that having the spirit of the Lord’s house in us changes us, completely.

How does temple worship transform us?
Why is this transformation important in our spiritual journey?
How have you been transformed through your temple worship experiences?
What changes have you noticed in your life as a result of your temple worship?