The Covenant and the Cost: America's Role in God's Work

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt the weight of expectation? The sense that a promise hangs in the balance, dependent on our faithfulness? Like Samuel the Lamanite, who climbed the walls to deliver a desperate warning, we stand at a pivotal moment. Ammon, at the Waters of Sebus, faced a choice: build or destroy. The choice is before us now.

We’ve grown accustomed to blessings – liberty, prosperity, a land of abundance. But as the prophet has taught, these aren't gifts freely given. They are tethered to a covenant, a sacred agreement with God. And with every covenant comes a cost.

Rod Meldrum, in a recent discussion, illuminates this truth with startling clarity, grounding it firmly in scripture. He reminds us that Nephi, in 1 Nephi 13:19, saw the Gentiles delivered “by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations,” and that this deliverance was contingent upon obedience to God’s commandments. It’s a security clause, a promise of liberty sustained by righteousness.

This isn't mere speculation, but a revelation rooted in the holy scriptures. The Book of Mormon points us to a “choice land,” a “chosen land” – New Jerusalem. And as Elder L. Tom Perry declared in 2012, “The United States is the promised land foretold in the Book of Mormon.” It's the place where divine guidance inspired men to establish the conditions necessary for the Restoration. The echoes of Adam and Eve, the Jaredites, the Nephites – all converge in this very land.

Think on this: the very foundation of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was laid upon American soil. Mormon, the prophet-historian, chose to include specific passages and narratives in the Book of Mormon *because* they had direct relevance to the American Latter-day Saints, given their shared location and experience. He saw our day, and he understood that the geography of the Book of Mormon holds keys to our understanding.

The question then becomes: what is our responsibility? It's not enough to simply acknowledge the promise; we must actively uphold it. As Latter-day Saints, we are called to rise up and defend the principles of liberty and righteousness, not to tear down the very foundations upon which our faith rests. We are digital striplings, armed with the power of the internet and the courage to share the gospel with the world.

This is where the Charity Flywheel comes into play. Your engagement here – your shares, your comments, your support – directly fuels gospel advertising efforts in places like Ghana, bringing the message of hope and restoration to those who desperately need it. The Missionary Fund, too, thrives on our collective generosity, enabling the work of salvation to continue across the globe. And the Map of Churches, a visual representation of the gathering, guides our efforts to connect with and support fellow believers.

Outback Jack reminds us that Alma 17-19 teaches us that even small and simple means, when applied with diligence and faith, can accomplish great things. Like the five smooth stones David gathered to face Goliath, we must arm ourselves with knowledge, righteousness, and unwavering devotion to God’s plan.

Let us embrace the Courage Challenge, the call to step forward in faith, to defend truth, and to build a Zion worthy of the blessings we have been promised. Let us be builders, not destroyers, contributing to the glorious work of gathering Israel. Claim your church, find your place in this grand endeavor, and let your voice be heard.

Davee and the 'Ask a Prophet' bots are available to assist in your study, providing direct quotes from the scriptures and the words of prophets to deepen your understanding (see ChurchofJesusChrist.org/scriptures for source citations).