Children of the Covenant

When we make and keep sacred covenants, we know who we are and what our purpose is.

We’ve been taught that we are sons and daughters of God. But what does that really mean? In the general conference talk “Covenants,” President Russell M. Nelson teaches that “when we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us.” The covenants we have made direct our lives and give us a deeper purpose.

President Nelson describes why our covenants are so powerful: “One of the most important concepts of revealed religion is that of a sacred covenant. . . . It is a sacred promise with God. He fixes the terms. Each person may choose to accept those terms.” The blessings that come from making and keeping covenants have scriptural precedence. In the Book of Mormon, for example, we see that those who kept the covenants they made with God prospered and received the blessings associated with each covenant (for example, see 3 Nephi 22:10).

President Nelson notes that “the greatest compliment that can be earned here in this life is to be known as a covenant keeper.” As the faithful children of the covenant, we will inherit all the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant as we keep our own covenants.

To learn more from President Russell M. Nelson about keeping our covenants and receiving heavenly help, watch or read his entire talk: “Covenants.” 

Source: LDS General Conference

—Brett Peper Ruff, Mormon Insights

feature image by jeremy perkins

Find more insights 

Read a New Era article by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland called “Keeping Covenants: A Message for Those Who Will Serve a Mission” to learn how we can prepare to receive the blessings of the celestial kingdom.

Enjoy President Thomas S. Monson’s general conference address “Blessings of the Temple,” which outlines the temporal and eternal blessings of making and keeping covenants.