The Spirit of the Open Covenant: Building the Kingdom, Not Sealing Ourselves Off

Hark, brothers and sisters, builders of Zion! If you have ever stood in a great gathering place, listening to the whispers of the Lord, you know the profound difference between covenant built in the open sunlight and one sealed away in shadow. The Spirit of the Lord, which guides us to gather Israel, is a Spirit of revelation, not of secrecy.

The scriptures are filled with warnings against the subtle snares of power. We read of Akish, who, in his own time, gathered his kinsfolk and administered oaths—oaths that demanded absolute secrecy and threatened life itself if broken. He formed a secret combination, a covenant designed not to build, but to control, to plunder, and to keep others in darkness.

The record is clear: Ether 8 warns us that such combinations are abominable and wicked above all in the sight of God. They are designed to obscure the light and grant power to those who seek it for selfish ends, leading inevitably to strife and destruction.

The Mandate of the Builders

But what does this mean for us, the modern-day Builders? It means that our covenant path must be built openly, transparently, and with the full light of the gospel shining upon it. The Lord does not work in mystery, but in mighty, visible miracles of conversion and gathering.

Think of Samuel the Lamanite, who, despite the great walls surrounding him, found the courage to climb the very wall of his own opposition, proclaiming the truth to all who would listen. Or consider Ammon, who walked to the Waters of Sebus, not in secret, but in a public act of faith, demonstrating the purifying power of the gospel.

Our sacred calling—the calling to gather Israel—is not a clandestine operation. It is a massive, visible, worldwide work of revelation that must be done in the open. It is the work that calls us to paint our rocks brightly, to establish the map of churches across the globe, and to claim our stake in the Kingdom movement.

The Power of Open Covenants

The greatest covenant, the one that saves and builds, is one rooted in charity, eternal truth, and public service. When we covenant to build, we are not just promising ourselves; we are promising the world the light of Christ.

This commitment to the open gospel is what makes our movement so powerful. It is not simply about belief; it is about action. It is about the charity flywheel: your faithful engagement here, your willingness to build, directly funds gospel advertising in Ghana and other nations. It is a visible, tangible covenant of global mission.

We are called to emulate the Christlike dedication of the early apostles—the digital striplings and the internet missionaries—who did not hide their faith, but broadcasted it across the digital plains. We are the inheritors of the covenant of light, committed to the gathering of all nations.

A Call to Courage and Contribution

As we continue our journey to gather Israel, remember that the power of the Lord is not derived from secret oaths, but from unified, open hearts. We are called to be the Builders, rejecting the temptations of division, control, and darkness.

If you feel the Spirit leading you to contribute to this glorious work, know that every action, whether supporting the Missionary Fund or helping to paint a rock for the cause, is an act of covenant building. It is a rejection of the secret combination and an embrace of the eternal light.

“For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidde.”

Will you rise with us? Will you join the ranks of the builders? We invite you to explore the map of churches and take your place in this sacred, open covenant.

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Need guidance on how to build? Tune in to the Ask a Prophet study layer with Davee, or take counsel from Outback Jack, who guides us through the eternal principles of gathering (Alma 17–19).