Covenants and Responsibilities
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Start the lesson by asking the class members to share their understanding of the term "covenant".
- Begin with a question: "How do covenants shape our lives as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?"
- Invite class members to share a personal experience where keeping a covenant has blessed their lives.
- Begin by discussing the growth of the Church and the increase in temples worldwide, as mentioned in the talk.
Topics
Understanding the Importance of Covenants in Society
Covenants, or commitments to fulfill certain responsibilities, are essential for the regulation of individual lives and societal functioning. They often involve the relinquishment of some individual freedoms for the advantages of living in organized communities. Examples of covenant responsibilities can be found in various professions and roles, including judges, military personnel, medical staff, firefighters, and missionaries.
A covenant is a commitment to fulfill certain responsibilities. Personal commitments are essential to the regulation of our individual lives and to the functioning of society.
- How do covenants contribute to the functioning of society?
- Can you think of other examples in society where individuals make covenants or commitments?
- What are some ways in which we give up individual freedoms for the benefits of community?
- Why are these sacrifices important?
- How do our covenants as Church members relate to these societal covenants?
The Role of Covenants in Religious Context
Religious covenants serve as the foundation for many religious affiliations and requirements. The Abrahamic covenant, for instance, is fundamental to several major religious traditions and introduces the concept of God's covenant promises with His children. The Book of Mormon also highlights the role of covenants in the history and worship of the Israelites.
The foundation and history of many religious affiliations and requirements are based on covenants. For example, the Abrahamic covenant is fundamental to several great religious traditions.
- Why are covenants so important in religious contexts?
- How does the Abrahamic covenant influence our understanding of our relationship with God?
- What examples from the Book of Mormon can you think of that highlight the importance of covenants?
- How do covenants enhance our worship?
- How does understanding the role of covenants in religious history deepen our faith?
Covenants in the Restoration of the Gospel
Covenants were foundational in the Restoration of the gospel. This is evident in the earliest steps the Lord directed the Prophet Joseph Smith to take in organizing His Church. Today, the Church emphasizes the role of covenants in the restored Church and the worship of its members.
Covenants were foundational in the Restoration of the gospel. This is evident in the earliest steps the Lord directed the Prophet to take in organizing His Church.
- What role did covenants play in the Restoration of the gospel?
- How does understanding the role of covenants in the Restoration affect our commitment to them?
- How does our weekly partaking of the sacrament renew our covenants?
- What does it mean to you that we are on a "covenant path"?
- How do our covenants help us to "think celestial"?
Temple Covenants and Their Significance
Temple covenants hold a significant place in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are taught and administered in temples, promising eternal life to those who live faithfully to these covenants. The temple garment serves as a reminder of these sacred covenants and the blessings associated with them.
Persons who have been endowed in a temple are responsible to wear a temple garment, an article of clothing not visible because it is worn beneath outer clothing. It reminds endowed members of the sacred covenants they have made and the blessings they have been promised in the holy temple.
- Why are temple covenants so important in our faith?
- How does the temple garment serve as a reminder of our covenants?
- What blessings have you experienced from keeping your temple covenants?
- How does wearing the temple garment continuously affirm our role as disciples of Jesus Christ?
- What does it mean to you to be "bound to Christ" through temple covenants?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How have your covenants helped you in times of trial?
- How can we better remember and honor our covenants on a daily basis?
- What are some ways we can help others understand the importance of covenants?
- How does understanding the significance of covenants deepen our faith in Jesus Christ?
- Why is it important to renew our covenants regularly through the sacrament?
- How do our covenants shape our relationship with God?
- How do covenants influence our choices and actions?
- What are some ways we can prepare ourselves to make and keep sacred covenants?
- How does keeping our covenants influence our eternal progression?
- How can we support each other in keeping our covenants?
