Gramps,

Where and when are we going to renew our temple covenants?

Bergatz

Answer

Dear Bergatz,

Temple covenants are not formally or explicitly renewed¹. However, there are ways that one might informally renew one’s covenants. These ways include:

The Sacrament

As long ago as 1965, some leaders have taught that we renew either our baptismal or all covenants by partaking of the Sacrament.  For example:

By partaking of the Sacrament we renew all covenants entered into with the Lord and pledge ourselves to take upon us the name of his Son, to always remember him and keep his commandments.

 

Elder Delbert L. Stapley, Conference Report, Oct. 1965

 

Cited by Elder L. Tom Perry in “As Now We Take the Sacrament” in April 2006 General Conference

It’s common now for leaders to teach that partaking of the Sacrament signifies a renewal of baptismal covenants, and not unusual to hear temple covenants, or “all covenants”, included.  In April 2022 General Conference, in “The Covenant Path: The Way to Eternal Life“, Elder Ojediran of the Seventy taught:

Renewing our baptismal covenant and partaking of the sacrament drive faithfulness to all other covenants.

As we allow the Sacrament to remind us of our commitment to Christ and to keeping the covenants we have made, we can consider this a way of renewing or recommitting to those covenants.

It should be noted here that the Sacrament covenant – which is its own covenant – is the only covenant we formally and explicitly make repeatedly. President Nelson has taught:

A thought has occurred to me that my making a covenant today is a lot more important than the message that I have prepared. I made a covenant as I partook of the sacrament that I would be willing to take upon me the name of Jesus Christ and that I am willing to obey His commandments. Often, I hear the expression that we partake of the sacrament to renew covenants made at baptism. While that’s true, it’s much more than that. I’ve made a new covenant. You have made new covenants. … Now in return for which He makes the statement that we will always have His Spirit to be with us. What a blessing!

 

(From a June 2019 mission leadership seminar, cited by Elder Dale G. Renlund in footnote 18 of “Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ“, October 2019 General Conference)

Repentance

Just as with the Sacrament, when we repent, we recommit to keeping our covenants, and this can be seen as a type of renewal.

Proxy Temple Work

As we do work on behalf of those who have died, we are reminded of the covenants we made for ourselves. This can increase our understanding of those covenants, help us to see new ways to keep them, and renew our commitment to faithfully walk the covenant path.

I hope this clarifies the idea of renewing covenants, Bergatz, and hope that this article has helped renew your desire to keep the covenants you have made – writing it has done so for me!

¹ If a person’s name was removed from the records of the Church (either by choice or as the result of a membership council), they can choose to be readmitted into the Church through baptism and confirmation. Thus, these two ordinances are repeated for such individuals. At least a year later, they can pursue having their priesthood and temple blessings restored, which is done through the ordinance of restoration of blessings (but not a repetition of temple ordinances). You can read about this in the General Handbook, 32.17.2 Restoration of Blessings.

Gramps

Gramps,

It’s easy to understand what it means to obey commandments and statutes, as well as to keep covenants. But since an ordinance is a sacred act, how does one obey it? How can an action be kept or obeyed?

Loretta

Answer

Loretta,

In the beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, obedience to sacred ordinances is paramount. These ordinances, viewed as sacred acts, serve as essential milestones in a member’s spiritual journey. The question arises: How does one fully obey these ordinances? What does it mean to keep or obey an action that is deemed sacred?

Ordinances are defined as sacred acts that hold significant importance in the spiritual growth and progression of members within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These include baptism, confirmation, the sacrament, the priesthood, the temple endowment, and marriage sealing. Each ordinance is accompanied by specific covenants that members commit to uphold, creating a structure of accountability and responsibility in their relationship with God.

The purpose of these ordinances extends beyond mere rituals; they are essential for accessing divine power. Doctrine and Covenants 84:20-22 states, “In the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.” This scripture emphasizes that participation in ordinances allows members to draw closer to God and access His divine attributes, aiding them on their journey toward becoming more Christlike.

Gramps

Gramps,

Why does God choose a covenant people? If he loves all of his children, why pick just one people?

Jeff

Answer

Jeff,

Throughout the scriptures, the theme of covenant is woven into the fabric of God’s relationship with His children. A covenant can be understood as a sacred agreement between God and His people, where promises are made, and responsibilities are outlined. But why does God choose a covenant people? This question invites us to explore the divine purposes behind these sacred agreements, the significance of the Abrahamic covenant, and the implications for believers today.

The Abrahamic covenant stands as a cornerstone in understanding why God chooses a covenant people. This covenant, initiated with Abraham, is not just a historical event but a divine promise that extends to all believers. In Genesis 12:1-3, God promises Abraham that he will be the father of a great nation, that his descendants will be numerous, and that through them, all families of the earth will be blessed. This covenant establishes a lineage of faith, linking believers to a legacy of divine blessing and responsibility.

The significance of the Abrahamic covenant lies in its inclusivity. It reaches beyond Abraham’s physical descendants to encompass all who choose to follow God’s commandments and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 3:29, affirms this by stating,“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Thus, being part of a covenant people means inheriting the blessings promised to Abraham, including spiritual guidance, protection, and the promise of eternal life.

In modern times, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith is a fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. The doctrine emphasizes that God continues to gather His covenant people in the latter days, inviting all to partake in the blessings of the gospel. The Doctrine and Covenants provides crucial insights into the nature of this restoration, as seen in D&C 1:17-18, where God states that He is calling His people to repentance and will send forth His word.

The restoration reinforces the idea of collective responsibility among the covenant people. Each member is not only a recipient of God’s blessings but also a participant in His divine plan. This collective aspect is highlighted in the teachings of the Church, which emphasize the importance of eternal families and community within the covenant framework. Families are central to God’s plan, serving as the primary unit through which His work is accomplished.

The Book of Mormon further elaborates on the concept of a covenant people. One of the significant teachings is found in 2 Nephi 29:14, where the Lord expresses His desire to gather His people, stating that He will “bring forth my word unto the children of men.” This gathering is not merely physical; it encompasses a spiritual awakening, where individuals are invited to come unto Christ and embrace His teachings.

Moreover, the Book of Mormon illustrates the consequences of breaking covenants. In Mosiah 2:41, King Benjamin teaches his people about the blessings that come from keeping God’s commandments. This principle underscores the importance of faithfulness among covenant people. When they live in accordance with God’s will, they experience joy, peace, and a closer relationship with Him. Conversely, disobedience leads to spiritual distance and loss of blessings.

King Benjamin addressing a crowd of people.

Modern prophets play a vital role in guiding covenant people today. Their teachings help clarify the significance of living a covenant life and the responsibilities that come with it. For instance, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has taught that being part of a covenant people means being “connected to the promises of God” and that these promises are fulfilled through obedience and faithfulness.

In addition, General Conference addresses often emphasize the importance of unity and love among covenant members. Prophets encourage individuals to support one another, uplift each other in faith, and work together to fulfill divine purposes. This sense of community fosters an environment where the blessings of the covenant can flourish.

The choice of a covenant people by God serves profound purposes that reach across generations. The Abrahamic covenant lays the foundation for blessings and responsibilities that extend to all who choose to follow Christ. The restoration of the gospel invites individuals to participate in a renewed covenant, emphasizing collective responsibility and the significance of eternal families. Through the teachings found in the Book of Mormon and the guidance of modern prophets, believers are reminded of the importance of faithfulness in their covenant relationship with God. Ultimately, being part of a covenant people is not merely a title; it is an invitation to experience the fullness of God’s blessings and to participate in His divine plan.

Gramps

Dear Gramps,

I’m the only member of my family. I married a nonmember 30 years ago and he and my two adult children have never joined the church. I’m so tired of members telling me I have no chance of exaltation, I’m suffering the consequences for my actions (when things are bad in my life) and constantly being told I have no chance of making it to the Celestial Kingdom even though I’m endowed. Is this true? Why stay active? I’m tired of being treated so poorly.

MoS

Answer

Dear MoS,

I am deeply saddened by what you describe. I pray the Spirit will guide me as I write and you as you read so that you can find peace and confidence in continuing to live the gospel.

If others are saying to you specifically, that you have no chance at exaltation, they are exercising unrighteous judgment as described by then-Elder Oaks in a BYU Devotional, “Judge Not and Judging“:

From all of this we see that final judgment is the Lord’s and that mortals must refrain from judging any human being in the final sense of concluding or proclaiming that they are irretrievably bound for hell or have lost all hope of exaltation.

You may find some comfort through this talk as it helps you to understand that only the Lord has the right to make such a judgment. Even you and I cannot make that judgment of ourselves. So long as we live, we should have faith in Christ and keep striving to follow Him.

If, however, you are perceiving this judgment as Church members talk generally about the requirements for exaltation, please be more forgiving and patient both with them and with yourself. Give them the benefit of the doubt. We are to teach the ideal – the new and everlasting covenant of marriage – even though not all will have the opportunity to enter that covenant in this life. This covenant is indeed required to enter the highest degree of the celestial kingdom (see D&C 131:1-4). We teach this ideal even though not all will have the opportunity for it in this life. Teaching the ideal is not meant to condemn anyone, only to encourage us to strive for the ideal, including preparing for it whether in this life or the next.

Further, please consider exactly what D&C 131:1-4 says. It says that the new and everlasting covenant of marriage is required for entry into the highest degree of celestial glory. That means there are two other degrees of this kingdom that do not require marriage. That you are not sealed in the temple to your husband will not keep you out of the celestial kingdom.

Many have lived and died without the opportunity to receive baptism and temple ordinances for themselves. Not all will have the opportunity to enter the new and everlasting covenant of marriage in this life. That you have married a non-member does not automatically indicate that you had, or might have had, the opportunity for a temple marriage and rejected it. That your family has not yet accepted the gospel does not mean they never will. These things are not for me or any other person to judge. Further, to judge that your husband will never accept the restored gospel is another form of unrighteous judgment. It is rejecting the Lord’s power before He has declared His work complete. So long as we live, there is hope for the Lord to do His work in our lives. And even in the spirit world, that work continues. Please do not give up just because you cannot see the way – God sees what we cannot.

Now, I wish to share with you some quotes from prophets and apostles, all to the effect that no blessing will be withheld from those who keep their covenants with the Lord to the end. As you read them, I encourage you to ponder your own covenants and recommit yourself to living your covenants to the end. Most of these will speak of those who had no opportunity to marry at all. I am not willing to say that those who married non-members are automatically disqualified from the same blessings as those who did not marry – only the Lord can say that, simple statistics show that not all members have the chance for a temple marriage, so please consider that there is reason to have faith that these promises can apply to you.

In the October 2024 General Conference, Elder Gong in his talk “Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life” related this story:

A sister does her best each day, after her husband was unfaithful to her and the children. I deeply admire her and others like her. One day while folding laundry, her hand on a stack of garments, she sighed to herself, “What’s the point?” She felt a tender voice assure her, “Your covenants are with me.”

MoS, your covenants are with the Lord. Keep them. Trust Him.

But what of the many mature members of the Church who are not married? Through no failing of their own, they deal with the trials of life alone. Be we all reminded that, in the Lord’s own way and time, no blessings will be withheld from His faithful Saints. (“Celestial Marriage“, by then-Elder Nelson, October 2008 General Conference)

Those who wonder if their current circumstance or condition cuts them off from eternal life should remember that “no one is predestined to receive less than all that the Father has for His children.”

 

No blessing will be denied the faithful. President Lorenzo Snow declared: “There is no Latter-day Saint who dies after having lived a faithful life who will lose anything because of having failed to do certain things when opportunities were not furnished him or her. In other words, if a young man or a young woman has no opportunity of getting married, and they live faithful lives up to the time of their death, they will have all the blessings, exaltation and glory that any man or woman will have who had this opportunity and improved it. That is sure and positive.” (“The Plan of Salvation: A Sacred Treasure of Knowledge to Guide Us”, by Elder Robert D. Hales, October 2015 Ensign)

Those who do not marry or those who cannot have children are not excluded from the eternal blessings they seek but which, for now, remain beyond their reach. We do not always know how or when blessings will present themselves, but the promise of eternal increase will not be denied any faithful individual who makes and keeps sacred covenants. (“The Witness“, by President Boyd K. Packer, April 2014 General Conference)

Some who are listening to this message are probably saying, “But what about me?” We know that many worthy and wonderful Latter-day Saints currently lack the ideal opportunities and essential requirements for their progress. Singleness, childlessness, death, and divorce frustrate ideals and postpone the fulfillment of promised blessings. In addition, some women who desire to be full-time mothers and homemakers have been literally compelled to enter the full-time work force. But these frustrations are only temporary. The Lord has promised that in the eternities no blessing will be denied his sons and daughters who keep the commandments, are true to their covenants, and desire what is right. (“The Great Plan of Happiness” by then-Elder Oaks, October 1993 General Conference)

These are only some of the quotes on this same topic. And you can see that there are both recent quotes and older citations. Please do not give up on our Savior before He declares His work complete!

Please try hard to forgive any who have exercised unrighteous “final” judgment. If you feel it appropriate, point out the things I’ve referenced. But don’t let others turn you away from our Heavenly Father, the restored gospel, or your covenants.

MoS, I encourage you to plead with the Lord for peace in this matter. Plead for the Spirit to fill your life. Study and follow the teachings of President Nelson, especially his General Conference talks. Repent and forgive. Attend the temple often to renew and remember the covenants you have made with God. Then return home and live those covenants so that you can be an example to your family of the peace and joy the gospel brings, and so that when the time comes, you will be worthy of every promised blessing. Do not give up on the Lord. He is mighty to save. Remember what President Nelson told us in the April 2018 General Conference: “Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again.”

Gramps

Gramps,

Please explain what the Abrahamic Covenant is.

Nancy

Answer

Nancy,

In the realm of religious covenants, the Abrahamic Covenant is foundational, representing the intersection of divine promises and human faithfulness. The promises made to Abraham outline a framework of blessings that include numerous posterity, priesthood authority, and the inheritance of sacred land. These elements not only define Abraham’s relationship with God but also establish a pathway for all believers to access these blessings through their faith and obedience. In a world that often seeks identity and purpose, understanding the Abrahamic Covenant offers a profound assurance of belonging and divine favor.

At the heart of the Abrahamic Covenant are the promises made by God to Abraham, which are articulated in scripture. God assured Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands on the seashore (Genesis 22:17). This promise signifies not only physical descendants but also a spiritual lineage that includes all who embrace the gospel.

Furthermore, the covenant includes the promise of priesthood authority for Abraham’s seed. This priesthood enables them to act in God’s name and bless all families of the earth, thus fulfilling the divine mission to spread the gospel (Abraham 2:11). The promise of land, specifically the land of Canaan, is another crucial aspect, symbolizing the physical inheritance tied to spiritual fulfillment (Genesis 17:8).

One of the remarkable aspects of the Abrahamic Covenant is its inclusivity. The teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasize that all individuals, regardless of their lineage, can access the blessings of this covenant. In Galatians 3:26–29, Paul teaches that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers become heirs to the promises made to Abraham. This principle underscores the idea that the covenant is not limited to a specific ethnic group but is open to all who choose to follow Christ.

Elder Russell M. Nelson, during his address in the Ensign, highlighted that the ultimate blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant are conferred in holy temples, allowing members to inherit thrones and kingdoms in the afterlife This restoration of the covenant through the Prophet Joseph Smith reaffirms the promises made to Abraham, ensuring that modern-day followers of Christ can partake in these sacred blessings.

With the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant come responsibilities. Those who enter into the covenant are expected to live righteously, obey God’s commandments, and share the blessings of the gospel with others. Genesis 17:1 emphasizes the importance of obedience: “Walk before me, and be thou perfect.” This call to righteousness is a crucial aspect of the covenant relationship, reminding believers of their commitment to God.

Additionally, members are encouraged to engage in family history work, which extends the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant to their ancestors. This work not only honors familial ties but also facilitates access to the eternal blessings promised to all of God’s children, reaffirming the significance of eternal families in the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Abrahamic Covenant is a profound expression of God’s love and commitment to His children. It outlines essential promises that encompass numerous posterity, priesthood authority, and the promise of land, while also inviting all individuals to partake in its blessings through faith and obedience. Understanding this covenant is vital for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it provides clarity regarding their identity as the seed of Abraham and their responsibilities as covenant keepers.

As we seek to deepen our understanding of the Abrahamic Covenant, let us remember the words of Elder Bruce R. McConkie, who reminded us that the blessings of the covenant inspire members to extend those blessings to their ancestors, ensuring the promises made to the fathers are fulfilled. By living in accordance with our covenants, we can access the divine blessings intended for us and contribute to the unfolding of God’s eternal plan.

Gramps