Fruit That Remains

Understanding the Eternal Nature of Covenants

Elder Carpenter explains that when we make and keep covenants with God, the associated blessings can be preserved for us forever, becoming "fruit that remains" for all eternity.

Christ directed us to “go and bring forth fruit, … that your fruit should remain.” But He wasn’t speaking about peaches. He was talking about God’s blessings to His children.

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.

• Covenants with God can extend blessings beyond this life.
• These blessings can be sealed upon us forever, becoming fruit that remains for all eternity.

• Reflect on a time when you made a covenant with God. How has that covenant blessed your life?
• Can you think of a time when the blessings of a covenant seemed to extend beyond this life?

The Role of the Holy Spirit of Promise in Sealing Ordinances

Elder Carpenter discusses the essential role of the Holy Ghost, as the Holy Spirit of Promise, in sealing each ordinance upon those who are faithful to their covenants.

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.

Having the Holy Ghost seal our ordinances is essential if we want to have the promised blessings for all eternity, becoming fruit that remains.

• The Holy Ghost, in His divine role as the Holy Spirit of Promise, seals each ordinance upon those who are faithful to their covenants.
• Having the Holy Ghost seal our ordinances is essential for the promised blessings to remain for all eternity.

• How have you felt the influence of the Holy Ghost in your life, especially in relation to your covenants?
• Can you recall a time when you felt the Holy Ghost sealing an ordinance upon you?

The Importance of Celestial Marriage in the Plan of Salvation

Elder Carpenter emphasizes the pivotal role of celestial marriage in preparing for eternal life, as taught by President Russell M. Nelson.

As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, we should “begin with the end in mind. … Surely, for each of us, the ‘end’ we would most like to achieve is to live forever with our families in an exalted state where we will be in the presence of God, our Heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ.”

President Nelson has also said: “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.”

• 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.

• How has the doctrine of eternal marriage influenced your perspective on marriage and family?
• Can you share an experience where the teachings of President Nelson on celestial marriage have impacted you?

Faithfully Keeping the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage

Elder Carpenter outlines the requirements to faithfully keep the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, emphasizing the importance of both lateral bonds (between spouses) and vertical bonds (with God).

President Russell M. Nelson has taught there are two types of bonds when we enter into this eternal marriage covenant: a lateral bond between husband and wife, and a vertical bond with God.

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.

• Faithfully keeping the new and everlasting covenant of marriage requires maintaining both lateral bonds (between spouses) and vertical bonds (with God).
• The lateral bond involves loving and cleaving unto your spouse and none else.
• The vertical bond involves being true to the temple covenants we have made.

• Reflect on how you maintain the lateral bond with your spouse. How has this strengthened your marriage?
• How have you worked to keep the vertical bond with God? How has this influenced your understanding of the gospel?

Addressing Concerns of Those Struggling with the Ideal of Eternal Marriage

Elder Carpenter addresses the concerns of those who may find the ideal of eternal marriage beyond their reach due to various circumstances, such as having an unfaithful spouse, being single, or having broken their temple covenants.

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.

For those who are single members of the Church, please remember that “in the Lord’s own way and time, no blessings will be withheld from His faithful Saints. The Lord will judge and reward each individual according to heartfelt [desires] as well as deed.”

If you have not remained faithful to temple covenants, is there hope? Yes! The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of hope.

• Faithful individuals will receive personal blessings promised in the endowment even if their spouse has broken their covenants or withdrawn from the marriage.
• Single members of the Church will receive blessings in the Lord's own way and time.
• There is hope for those who have not remained faithful to temple covenants through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Have you ever felt that the ideal of eternal marriage is beyond your reach? How have you found hope and comfort in the gospel?
• Can you share a personal experience where you've seen the Lord's promise that no blessings will be withheld from His faithful Saints?