The Strength that comes from Temple Covenants

     I am still in the introduction pages of the Maxwell Institute Study Edition of the Book of Mormon. I made an article about the difference between the study edition and the current version of the Book of Mormon. I am currently reading a section called “Brief History of the Text”. I like teaching doctrine, so I am not going to get into the history of the Book of Mormon; unless, you want me to. Let me know, if you would like additional insight into the history of the publishing of the book throughout the years. This section of the book is only in the Maxwell Institute Study Edition of the Book of Mormon.

     During family scripture study this morning, we reviewed the following verses of the Book of Mormon, which is a quotation of Isaiah, in 2 Nephi chapter 12, covering verses 1-3:

“The word that Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

“Come, follow me” invites us to ‘share how temple covenants are helping you “walk in [the Lord’s] path.” (2020 ‘Come, follow me’ manual; page 32)

      Thinking of the temple covenants, I am so grateful to live in the latter-days, where we can literally relive taking on the covenants through other people by performing proxy work, helping deceased people receive the covenants for themselves.

      The baptism covenants are not carried out in a formally instructive way as well as the temple covenants, and the temple covenant process is more formal now than before. “The God of Jacob…will [truly] teach us his ways” in temples. I believe that the temple covenants do help me “walk in [the Lord’s] path” because the covenants have a high accountability and quality of instruction. The endowment covers specific individual covenants that that we take upon ourselves.

     Covenants enable us to obtain eternal life, and there is a covenant path. Baptism is not the only covenant. The baptismal covenant expects the individual to obtain all the covenants. Eternal life is not given to people that refuse to take upon themselves all of the covenants of the temple.

Some people may be deceived, thinking that they do not deserve to be “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17) or we are not worthy to be given God’s lifestyle; however, Heavenly Father loves all man so dearly that he desires that they enjoy his joy in the life to come. Eternal life is God’s life. The covenants have high standards, but your best effort qualifies you the grace of God.

     The peace of having the Holy Ghost with me daily is a Gift of the Holy Ghost, which is given during the confirmation of baptism, and I am so grateful for this gift. The sacrament is a great instruction tool too, and the chapel becomes an extension of the temple. This is why the chapel is a holy room in our churches.

     Covenants are a great strength for me because it is a promise that I have made with God, and he promises blessings too, if we are obedient to them.