Elder Russell M. Nelson said in October 2011 general conference:
“One of the most important concepts of revealed religion is that of a sacred covenant. In legal language, a covenant generally denotes an agreement between two or more parties. But in a religious context, a covenant is much more significant. It is a sacred promise with God. He fixes the terms. Each person may choose to accept those terms. If one accepts the terms of the covenant and obeys God’s law, he or she receives blessings associated with the covenant. We know that “when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to the law upon which it is predicated” (Doctrine & Covenants 130:21).
Through the ages, God has made covenants with His children. His covenants occur throughout the entire plan of salvation and are therefore part of the fulness of the gospel (see Doctrine and Covenants 66:2, 133:57). (“Covenants,” Ensign, November, 2011) (also in Teachings of Russell M. Nelson Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989), p.68
