Cover image via Gospel Media Library. 

For a long time, I have felt like I was missing something important about sacramental covenants. I have studied the words carefully. I have considered the phrasing. I have examined the relationships between Father, Son, the Spirit, and us. I feel that I have learned a lot but was missing something important.

Last Sunday, God opened my mind to a new truth.

I have long believed that we each had an interview with Heavenly Father in preparation for coming to earth. As part of that interview, He asked us where we wanted to end up after mortality. We sheepishly confessed that we wanted to be with Him. That is what we wanted more than anything else. Father radiated; He wanted us back with Him as well. But Father knew what that entailed. And He didn’t want to mislead us. He didn’t want the very real challenges of mortality—the pain, afflictions, temptations, and failings—to be hidden from us. So, He showed us every single experience of our mortal lives that was necessary to prepare us for us to return to His presence.

When He finished showing us all we would face in mortality, we were dejected. “There is no way I can do that. I’m not good enough or strong enough.” We sank into despair.

Father leaned toward us. “I know. It is far too much for you. But I have a plan. If you will make a covenant with me to do your best, I will provide all the resources of heaven to enable you to fulfill your journey of growth and to get you back home. My second counselor—the Spirit—will guide, inspire, and comfort you. And my first counselor—my Beloved Son Jehovah or Jesus—will provide essential teachings and will pay all your debts.”

We were startled. “Jesus will even pay for my sins, my foolishness, and my failings?”

“All of it,” Father declared.

We were dumbfounded! “You would do that for me???”

“Gladly. I want you home with Me and all My cherished ones!”

So, we signed on the dotted line. We made a covenant. We rejoiced at His incomprehensible plan of growth and redemption!

And our beloved Father signed. And Jesus signed. And the Spirit signed. A covenant was in force. We came to earth trusting in that covenant.

But now that we are here, life can be challenging. It is easy to feel burdened by all we are called to do and troubled by the problems that beset us. We may begin to feel that our task is impossible. We may bemoan our inadequacy and the personal shortcomings that halt our progress. In our discouragement, we neglect the resources that are ours through our covenant.

The veil blocks our view of that precious premortal moment when we embraced Father with grateful confidence. All we comprehend now is how painfully inadequate we are.

Jump forward to last Sunday. As the priest pronounced the words, “O God, the Eternal Father,” I made a new connection and the truth pierced my soul. I realized that every time we partake of the sacrament, Father is checking back on us and the covenant He made with us long ago. He is reminding us that He has provided an advocate for us. He is showing us how, as we partake of Jesus, we are swallowed up in Christ. And He re-seals the covenant by the Holy Spirit of Promise.

The Sacrament is not one sided. It is not just us renewing our covenant with Him or pledging to try a little harder. Every week Heavenly Father reminds us of His commitment to us as He sends the emblems of His son’s sacrifice to us! Every week He reminds us of those resources He pledged to us. Every week He whispers about the personal commitment He made with us before we came to earth. He confirms that we can trust in the promises He made to us.

What a difference that realization can make in my week! Every time I am weak, foolish, and selfish, I can throw myself on the merits, mercy, and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ with full confidence that He will take upon Himself my sins—and He will do it gladly! Every time I feel like I just can’t face a trial or affliction I must endure, I am able to call upon Jesus’ power and tender mercies to see me through. Every time I feel lost and lonely, I can call on the Comforter knowing that He will encircle me in heavenly reassurance. The sacramental covenant is a clear reminder that we have the full surety and commitment of the First Presidency of Heaven to assist us during our journey on earth and to assure our return to glory.

Because of Their commitment, we can all live with full faith and confidence. We can have peace that surpasses understanding. We can know the joy of His redemption.

“Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel” (Alma 26:16).

As you approach the Sacrament each week, how might you open your soul to the reassurance of your eternal covenant that reassures you that all the resources of heaven are committed to your success? How might that perspective of the Sacrament provide you the strength to face joyously the tasks and challenges ahead? How will the vision of the promised reunion with Him buoy your spirits?

We rejoice in God’s immeasurable graciousness in binding Himself to us by covenant and in sending weekly reminders that He is committed to redeem us!

Invitation:

My newest book, The Compassionate Heart: Uplifting Your Life and Relationships was just released as an audio book and an eBook.

To get the audio book, go to:

https://www.audible.com/pd/B0D4XJBG2G

To get the eBook, go to: https://a.co/eykdVda

Thanks to Barbara Keil for her insightful additions to this article.