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Covenant

A covenant is a sacred agreement between God and a person or group of people. God sets specific conditions, and He promises to bless us as we obey those conditions. When we choose not to keep covenants, we cannot receive the blessings, and in some instances we suffer a penalty as a consequence of our disobedience.

Additional Information

All the saving ordinances of the priesthood are accompanied by covenants. For example, we make a covenant when we are baptized, and we renew that covenant each time we partake of the sacrament (see Mosiah 18:8–10; D&C 20:37, 77, 79). Those who have received the Melchizedek Priesthood have entered into the oath and covenant of the priesthood (see D&C 84:33–44). The temple endowment and the sealing (marriage) ordinance also include sacred covenants.

See also Abrahamic Covenant; Baptism; Marriage; Ordinances; Priesthood; Sacrament; Temples

—See True to the Faith (2004), 44

 

Scripture References

Church Magazine Articles

  • "Witnesses for God"

    Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, Nov. 1996, 30–33
    Our honest effort to keep our covenants allows God to increase our power to do it.

  • "We Are a Covenant-Making People"

    Joseph Anderson, Ensign, Nov. 1976, 89–91
    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this day is a covenant-making people.

  • "According to the Covenants"

    Marion G. Romney, Ensign, Nov. 1975, 71–73
    The covenants we enter into here in mortality are to help us attain our objective of eternal life, which is explained in, and made possible by, the new and everlasting covenant of the gospel.

  • "We Have Made Covenants with the Lord"

    ElRay L. Christiansen, Ensign, Jan. 1973, 50–51
    Making covenants with his people and with individuals has always been one of the principal ways in which the Lord deals with them.

  • "Celebrating Covenants"

    Bonnie D. Parkin, Ensign, May 1995, 78–79
    Father in Heaven knows us as individuals. The covenants we make with Him are performed one on one.

  • "Covenants and Ordinances"

    Jorge A. Rojas, Ensign, Nov. 1991, 44–45
    After you accept covenants and receive ordinances, you must live up to the covenants you made.

  • "Gospel Covenants"

    Marion G. Romney, Ensign, May 1981, 43–44
    Observing the gospel covenants we make with the Lord qualifies us to enter the temple and there receive the ordinances and covenants essential to exaltation.

Additional Online Materials

  • "Covenant"

    Guide to the Scriptures

  • "Covenant"

    Bible Dictionary, 651

  • "Covenants"

    Encyclopedia of Mormonism
    (Please note that the contents of the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, a joint product of Brigham Young University and Macmillan Publishing Company, do not necessarily represent the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) 

  • "Baptism, a Continuing Covenant"

    Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Part A, Lesson 29

  • "The Lord's Covenant People"

    Gospel Principles, Chapter 15