"We ... are a covenant people. From the day of baptism through the spiritual milestones of our lives, we make promises with God and He makes promises with us. He always keeps His promises offered through His authorized servants, but it is the crucial test of our lives to see if we will make and keep our covenants with him."--President Henry B. Eyring (of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
As a child, I learned that a covenant was a two way promise. As my understanding grew, I realize that covenants were the cornerstone of our religion, indeed, our very lives. Covenants remind us of commitments, of the blessings to come if we are true and faithful.
The Relief Society theme for our ward this year is cleaving unto covenants. The writer in me appreciates the alliteration; the woman in me loves the idea of holding fast to covenants. Over the years, Larry and I have had some disagreements, even downright fights. Though we sometimes doubted our love for each other, we never doubted our commitment to the covenants we made, both to each other and to the Lord.
Keeping covenants brings joy. The reverse is also true: breaking covenants brings misery, not only to the person who is doing the breaking but to his or her family. A case in point: several years ago, the wife of our oldest son left her husband, her children, the church, breaking sacred covenants made in the temple. The heartache caused was immense, with repercussions that still ripple through their lives.
Joy for the day: cleaving unto covenants.
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