Beyond Belief: The Covenant of Knowing Christ in the Restoration

When the calendar turns to December, the natural inclination is to focus on the joyous narrative of the Savior's birth. The scriptures confirm that all things testify of Jesus Christ, and the Shepherds' message—that He had come to fulfill a sacred mission—is a powerful testament to His divine purpose. But for those of us who have been diligently studying the covenants and the doctrines of the Restoration, we know that the celebration of His nativity must lead us to a far deeper truth than mere commemoration.

The difference between simply reading the story of the Atonement and personally *experiencing* the depth of that sacrifice is the difference between knowing *about* God and truly knowing Him. This distinction, articulated by Elder Bruce Makoni, is perhaps the most critical doctrinal pivot point we must grasp as we enter this season of sacred contemplation.

The Distinction Between Knowing About and Knowing Him

To know *about* God is to possess accurate intellectual data: to understand that He is a personal being, in whose image we are created, and that the Father and the Son possess specified attributes and powers. This knowledge is essential, yet it remains purely academic until it is activated by the Spirit and applied through covenant keeping.

However, to *know* Him—that is to become acquainted with Him through personal experience and lived doctrine. This is the profound, transformative work of the Spirit, the work that binds us to the iron rod of eternal truth. As the Savior Himself taught, the path to this knowledge is clear: “Therefore what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” Worthiness is not merely a suggestion; it is the operational prerequisite for drawing closer to the Father and the Son.

The Covenant Process: Speaking, Listening, and Doing

If this deep knowing is the goal, how is it accomplished? The pattern revealed by our modern prophets is one of continuous covenant action. Elder Henry B. Irving described the bond of affection between people—and between us and our Heavenly Father—as being maintained not by time alone, but by consistent effort: speaking, listening, and doing. This threefold pattern is the sacred process of deepening our spiritual bonds.

Scripture, Prayer, and the Voice of the Spirit

The primary tools provided by the Lord for this process are diligent scripture study and prayer. When we study the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, or the Book of Abraham, we are not merely consuming text; we are engaging in a divine dialogue. We are seeking to recognize the voice of the Spirit, which guides us toward God's will. As Elder Scott Grow taught, we must learn to recognize that voice, not through rote repetition, but through the disciplined practice of seeking Him alone, and with our families.

This disciplined approach demands that we move beyond viewing the covenants—the temple covenants, the priesthood covenants—as mere ritual requirements. They are blueprints for relationship. They are the instruction manual for becoming like Christ.

The Eternal Calling

The culmination of this study is the realization that our calling is not just to *remember* the Savior, but to *emulate* Him. To know Him is to strive to become worthy of Him. This is not a sentimental quest; it is a profound doctrinal and covenant commitment. It means applying the principles of the Restoration—the principles of faith, repentance, and adherence to the covenants—in every facet of our lives.

We are called to take the truth we have learned in the sacred confines of the temple and make it known abroad, just as the Shepherds were instructed. This missionary zeal, this desire to teach and live the doctrine, is the ultimate testament to our personal knowledge of the Savior. The Lord knows us, and He invites us to know Him, promising that through sincere effort and righteous living, we will inherit eternal life.