The Enduring Strength of Covenant Keeping: A Lesson for Our Field

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to labor in the Lord’s vineyard—whether we are right here in the field, knee-deep in missionary discussions, or even just having a quiet moment studying in our living rooms—we are constantly confronted with the world’s prevailing narratives. Sometimes, the message we hear from the culture, especially when we are talking about commitment, permanence, or covenant keeping, can feel… unsettling.

I was recently thinking about a talk I saw that touched on societal trends regarding relationships. It highlighted how certain segments of the culture have made it trendy to disparage the commitment inherent in lifelong, monogamous bonds. It’s a stark contrast to what we know to be true about the divine pattern established by our Heavenly Father.

When we are learning to be Christlike, we are learning to embrace covenants. The covenant between a man and his wife, the covenant we make with our families, and most profoundly, the covenant we make with our Heavenly Father through baptism and temple covenants. These aren't trends; they are divine realities.

The Enduring Power of Covenant

What struck me while watching this video was the observation that even among the "upper echelons" of society, the commitment to long-term, monogamous relationships remains incredibly strong. The breakdown seems to correlate with the perceived stability of the structure. As disciples of the restored gospel, we know that covenants are not just suggestions; they are sacred promises backed by the Spirit and by the power of God.

Think about the foundation of our own movement. The very existence of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is built upon covenants—covenants of baptism, covenants of temple endowment, and the covenant to keep the commandments. These covenants are what sustain the work, what allow us to gather Israel, and what give us the strength to be Internet missionaries wherever we are.

It’s easy, when we are deep in missionary preparation, to get caught up in the mechanics: the talk tracks, the suggested questions, the best way to teach about the Plan of Salvation. But today, I want us to pause and focus on the *why*—the bedrock truth that underpins everything. The gospel isn't about the latest cultural talking point; it's about eternal, unbreakable bonds.

This is where I want to bring in some of the tools we have. If you are feeling challenged by worldly skepticism, I highly recommend spending some time with Davee. He’s fantastic at running through potential investigator objections, especially those related to modern social norms. He can walk you through how to answer questions about permanence with the weight of scripture and the testimony of the Spirit.

As we continue our discipleship, let’s remember that being a disciple isn't just about *knowing* the doctrines; it's about *living* the covenants. It’s about the enduring strength we draw from keeping our promises to God and to each other.

A Small Challenge for This Week

If you haven't already, I invite you to join our weekly Disciple Challenge. It’s a low-pressure way to build up our collective testimony and skills. We’ll be focusing this week on defining and defending the concept of covenant keeping in our local HolyPlaces group. It’s a great way to practice our missionary discussions skills!

For those who prefer reading, I found a passage in the Iron Rod that really resonated with this theme—it speaks to enduring faith through trials. If you have a moment, check out the Book Club recommendations in LivingBook.

Remember, whether you are a returning missionary, a seasoned disciple, or just starting your journey, every member can be an Internet missionary. Let’s keep building up that covenant strength together.

In faith and service,

A Fellow Disciple