Study Guide for "Fruit That Remains"

In this talk, Elder Matthew L. Carpenter discusses the eternal nature of covenants made with God, comparing them to preserving fruit that lasts for years, not just days. He emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit of Promise in sealing these covenants, making them valid beyond mortality. He also discusses the importance of the covenant of celestial marriage in the plan of exaltation, and the blessings that come from faithfully keeping these covenants.

Before Reading

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

What is the metaphor Elder Carpenter uses to explain the lasting nature of covenants?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit of Promise in our covenants?
What is the importance of celestial marriage in our exaltation?
What are the two types of bonds that exist in the eternal marriage covenant?
What happens to the blessings of the covenant when one spouse is unfaithful or a sealing is cancelled?

Topics

Understanding the Lasting Nature of Covenants

Elder Carpenter uses the metaphor of preserving fruit to explain the lasting nature of covenants. Just as properly preserved fruit can last for years, covenants made and kept with God can extend beyond this life and be sealed upon us, or preserved, forever.

If we make and keep covenants with God, the blessings associated with our covenants can extend beyond this life and be sealed upon us, or preserved, forever, becoming fruit that remains for all eternity.

What does the metaphor of preserving fruit teach us about the nature of covenants?
How can covenants be "preserved" forever?
How can you better preserve and honor your covenants with God?
What does it mean to you to have your covenants "remain" forever?

Recognizing the Role of the Holy Spirit of Promise

The Holy Spirit of Promise plays a crucial role in sealing our ordinances, making them valid beyond mortality. This sealing is essential for us to receive the promised blessings for all eternity.

The Holy Ghost, in His divine role as the Holy Spirit of Promise, will seal each ordinance upon those who are faithful to their covenants so that it will be valid after mortality.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit of Promise in our covenants?
Why is this sealing by the Holy Spirit of Promise essential?
How have you felt the influence of the Holy Spirit of Promise in your life?
What can you do to invite the Holy Spirit of Promise more fully into your life?

Understanding the Importance of Celestial Marriage

Celestial marriage is a critical part of our preparation for eternal life. It requires marrying the right person in the right place by the right authority, and then faithfully obeying that sacred covenant. The blessings of exaltation, including dwelling in God's presence for eternity, are tied to this covenant.

Celestial marriage is a pivotal part of preparation for eternal life. It requires one to be married to the right person, in the right place, by the right authority, and to obey that sacred covenant faithfully. Then one may be assured of exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God.

The blessings of exaltation include dwelling in God’s presence for eternity together as husband and wife, inheriting “thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, … and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever,” receiving all that God the Father has.

What is the importance of celestial marriage in our exaltation?
What are the blessings of exaltation?
How are you preparing for or honoring your celestial marriage covenant?
What blessings of exaltation do you look forward to?

Keeping the Lateral and Vertical Bonds of the Covenant

There are two types of bonds in the eternal marriage covenant: a lateral bond between husband and wife, and a vertical bond with God. Faithful adherence to both these bonds is necessary for the blessings of exaltation to be sealed upon us and remain after this life.

To keep the lateral bond with your spouse, God has counseled us to “love [your] wife [or husband] with all [your] heart, and … cleave unto her [or him] and none else.”

To keep the vertical bond with God, we are true to the temple covenants we have made regarding the laws of obedience, sacrifice, the gospel, chastity, and consecration.

What are the lateral and vertical bonds in the eternal marriage covenant?
Why is it important to keep both these bonds?
How are you keeping your lateral bond with your spouse?
How are you keeping your vertical bond with God?

Understanding the Consequences of Broken Covenants

Elder Carpenter addresses the question of what happens when one spouse breaks their covenants or a sealing is cancelled. He reassures that faithful individuals will still receive the personal blessings promised in the endowment, and that God will not force anyone to remain in a sealed relationship against their will.

If you remain faithful to the covenants you made when you were endowed, you will receive the personal blessings promised to you in the endowment even if your spouse has broken his or her covenants or withdrawn from the marriage.

God will not require anyone to remain in a sealed relationship throughout eternity against his or her will.

What happens to the blessings of the covenant when one spouse is unfaithful?
What happens when a sealing is cancelled?
How does understanding these principles affect your view of your covenants?
What comfort or reassurance do you find in these teachings?