Last Week’s Invitation Record in your journals specific ways that

the Atonement of Christ has blessed your life

Pick one or two ways to love and or serve as Christ does. Start practicing those improvements.

BUILDING CHRIST CENTERED RELATIONSHIPS

The Power of Covenants What is it about making

and keeping covenants with God that gives us the power to smile through hardships, to convert tribulation into triumph, to “be anxiously engaged in a good cause, … and bring to pass much righteousness”?

Elder D. Todd ChristoffersonQuorum of the Twelve Apostles

Today’s Purpose Discuss how the closeness of our

Relationship with God is directly connected with the covenants we make and keep with Him.

Review how keeping our covenants can change our character.

Why do covenants exist? Abraham 3: 24-25

And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

It seems clear that the essence of our duty and the fundamental requirement of our mortal life is captured in these brief phrases from any number of scenes in the Savior's mortal ministry.

Elder Jeffrey R. HollandQuorum of the Twelve

Apostles

He is saying to us, "Trust me, learn of me, do what I do. Then, when you walk where I am going," He says, "we can talk about where you are going, and the problems you face and the troubles you have. If you will follow me, I will lead you out of darkness," He promises. "I will give you answers to your prayers. I will give you rest to your souls."

“Broken Things to Mend”

Elder Jeffrey R. HollandQuorum of the Twelve

Apostles

The Power of Covenants This brings us to a second

way in which our covenants supply strength—they produce the faith necessary to persevere and to do all things that are expedient in the Lord. Our willingness to take upon us the name of Christ and keep His commandments requires a degree of faith, but as we honor our covenants, that faith expands.

Elder D. Todd ChristoffersonQuorum of the Twelve Apostles

Covenants: Line upon Line Doctrine and Covenants 93:11-14 2 Nephi 28:30

Nephi

Moroni

Receiving Divine Power From Covenants

We have considered, first, the empowering blessings and, second, the endowment of faith that God grants to those who keep their covenants with Him. A final aspect of strength through covenants that I will mention is the bestowal of divine power. Our covenant commitment to Him permits our Heavenly Father to let His divine influence, “the power of godliness” (D&C 84:20), flow into our lives.

Elder D. Todd ChristoffersonQuorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Power of Covenants

Making and Keeping Our Covenants Means Having the

This being a true principle, what evidences will you see in your own life as you fulfill your covenants?

In His light we live spiritually and become more able day by day to discern that light and receive more of it. The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path. Our path is uphill most days, but the help we receive for the climb is literally divine. We have three members of the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—helping us because of the covenants we have made.

“What I Wish Every New Member Knew—and Every Longtime Member Remembered”

Elder Jeffrey R. HollandQuorum of the Twelve

Apostles

The Power of Covenants In the covenant path we find a steady

supply of gifts and help. “Charity never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8; Moroni 7:46), love begets love, compassion begets compassion, virtue begets virtue, commitment begets loyalty, and service begets joy. We are part of a covenant people, a community of Saints who encourage, sustain, and minister to one another. As Nephi explained, “And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them” (1 Nephi 17:3)

Elder D. Todd ChristoffersonQuorum of the Twelve Apostles

This Week’s Invitation

Listen carefully to the advice that Elder Bushe gives and write down impressions of things you need to work on.

After the video is finished, choose only the few that matter most for now.

Remember, Line upon Line…

Resources “The Power of Covenants” –Elder

Christofferson

“What I Wish Every New Member Knew—and Every Longtime Member Remembered”

–Elder Holland

“Broken Things to Mend” –Elder Holland