What a wonderful Ward Conference. It was wonderful to rub shoulders with our stake leaders and receive guidance from our Stake President.
The theme of the conference, “Practical Application of the Holy Ghost in Your Life”
I want share some of the thoughts I had while preparing for our conference. The Stake President invited each Bishop to select our own topic. I chose, “We are a Covenant Making People”.
A covenant is different than a promise. A promise is a one directional statement, like, “I promise to do the dishes.” It is one sided, one party making a statement of agreement to another. The other party has no responsibility to the promise. The giving party has all the responsibility to perform.
A covenant is different than a contract. Contracts have time and performance criteria. The party that receives the contract agrees to complete something within a defined expectation of quality and by a defined timeline or due date. A contract defines a payment at the completion of the promised action. Performance before payment then completion and closing of the contract
A covenant is much more than a promise or a contract. A covenant is a unilateral promise between two or more parties without a completion date. It contains promises from all parties to perform regardless of the performance of the other. Blessings are awarded independently and collectively.
Our personal covenants made in a Temple of the Lord, can provide us with spiritual power and allow us to ‘enter into the rest of the Lord’ as we keep our covenants.
In the temple we learn more about this mortal classroom of life, what is expected, enduring this estate well, keeping our first estate, and about the need for opposition.
23 …. wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.
25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. – 2 Nephi 2: 23-25
Even the ‘Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil’ is in opposition to the ‘Tree of Life’
15 …it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter. – 2 Nephi 2:15
The messages of the world today are misleading, manipulative, and deceptive – replacing good as evil and evil for good.
20 ¶ Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5: 20
7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. – Proverbs 27:7
We need to be true to our covenants and show conviction to following our Savior, Jesus Christ by showing love, one to another. Accepting others, respecting their agency to choose, by simply loving them.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. – Moroni 7: 13
In Moroni chapter 7, Mormon addresses us of this time as peaceable. We of the church need to remain peaceable. Everyone wants to be treated fairly, feel safe, and have a sense of purpose. These all start with been seen and heard. Beware of anger and a forceful voice because it leads to the breakdown of communication and does not convey love and acceptance. Speaking at someone with a loud or angry voice doesn’t produce an environment where trust can be established.
Mormon continues:
3 I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven. – Moroni 7: 3
Ben Franklin said: “Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame.” – Ben Franklin
His rest comes upon us as we move forward with faith, being obedient to his commandments keeping our covenants, and testifying of truth. Then He reassures us by providing peace, love, and joy.
I testify that as we learn more about our covenants and keep them the Lord blesses us with his covenant to provide us with the ability to always have his Spirit to be with us, forgiveness of sin (Repentance & Forgiveness / Spiritual Death), and Eternal Life (Physical Death). The Savior knows of your challenges and wants you to place them on Him and allow His atonement to be active in your life.
We love you,
Bishop Jeff Anderson, Highland 28th Ward
“Stay Humble, Work Hard, & Be Kind” The S