I mark copies of the Book of Mormon with inserts in the front and back covers. The front has testimonies from myself and our daughter Klea. The back cover is reserved for our current prophet. The following will be the back cover insert… words from our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. (k)
“At baptism we covenant to serve the Lord and keep His commandments. When we partake of the sacrament, we renew that covenant and declare our willingness to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Thereby we are adopted as His sons and daughters and are known as brothers and sisters. He is the father of our new life. Ultimately, in the holy temple, we may become joint heirs to the blessings of an eternal family, as once promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their posterity. Thus, celestial marriage is the covenant of exaltation.
“Children of the covenant have the right to receive His doctrine and to know the plan of salvation. They claim it by making covenants of sacred significance . . . They keep the covenants by obedience to His commandments.
When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us, His law is written in our hearts. He is our God and we are His people. Committed children of the covenant remain steadfast, even in the midst of adversity. When that doctrine is deeply planted in our hearts, even the sting of death is soothed and our spiritual stamina is strengthened.
The greatest compliment that can be earned here in this life is to be known as a covenant keeper. The rewards for a covenant keeper will be realized both here and hereafter. Scripture declares that “ye shall consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold they are blessed in all things, . . .and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven . . . [and] dwell with God in state of never-ending happiness.(Mosiah 2:41). (“Covenants,” Ensign, November 2011)
With each ordinance is a covenant—a promise. A covenant made with God is not restrictive, but protective. Such a concept is not new. For example if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to clean out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness (see Moroni 10:32), we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective. (“Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings,” Ensign, May 2001)
From his book, “Teachings of Russell M. Nelson, Deseret Book, 2018 p.68-69
