This is a post on the Priesthood session of April 1981.

President Marion G. Romney talks about the covenants we make as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sometimes, I find myself sitting in a church class discussing doctrine as if it’s something we have to still figure out or work up to, or even negotiate into our lives. Pres. Romney’s talk puts into perspective that if we are already converted by the doctrine of the gospel we’ve already made covenants and are ready to call ourselves “children of the covenant.”  

Satan continues to pull us off course causing all kinds of conflict in our hearts, but if we sit back and remember, the covenants we have already made will come back to us and re-fortify us for our daily battles.

We make baptismal covenants that already encourage us to love one another with a deep and abiding love. Why do we still have lessons on how to treat one another?

We make temple covenants that already commit us to loving our God, our spouses, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why are there still so many who forget and forsake?

We make daily covenants of Tithing, Word of Wisdom, partaking of the Sacrament in our quest for regular repentance. Why do we still hesitate, struggle, and forget so easily?

Clearly, Satan is very powerful. He is good at enticing. He isn’t inhibited by any rules. And he either catches us in our weaknesses or catches us in our strengths. All he cares about is catching us.

But the truth is we make these covenants of our own free will and choice. It is our job to remember what we’ve covenanted, remember what it means to us and for us, and remember the promises that are attached to all the covenants God so lovingly makes with us.

We are the ones who step away from God when we forget. We are the ones who lose and allow ourselves to be bound by Satan’s snares. And we reap no blessings as a result. That feeling of emptiness is what Satan offers us.

King Benjamin’s speech should be daily reading for anyone who struggles with who they are and who they think God thinks they are, and who feels like they just can’t cut it in this world.

Mosiah 2: 22:

“And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.”

Mosiah 4:6-9:

“I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life … I say that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind. … And this is the means whereby salvation cometh … Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth.”

In this day and age, Satan appears to be winning, but we know this will never be. Why should we ever fear, or doubt, or hesitate, or turn against the Almighty God who has offered us so much? Covenanting with Him and keeping those covenants is the only road to true happiness.