The Power of Covenant. Strength for Today and Hope for Tomorrow

Good morning, brothers and sisters.

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to speak to you today. As I thought about what I wanted to share, one powerful theme kept coming to mind: covenants. In a world where so much changes—our circumstances, the challenges we face, and even the seasons of life—the power of our covenants with God remains constant. It’s a foundational part of our faith, and I believe it’s something that can strengthen and bless all of us, no matter where we are in life.

I want to invite all of us—whether we are children, youth, adults, or senior saints—to reflect on the covenants we’ve made with God, and how those covenants can give us strength as we move through the different stages of life.

So, what exactly is a covenant? At its core, a covenant is a sacred promise or agreement between us and God. In this agreement, God promises to bless us as we commit to follow Him and keep His commandments. Our relationship with God is built on these sacred promises, and He wants to bless us and help us grow.

The most significant covenant we make is baptism. In that sacred moment, we promise to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, to always remember Him, and to keep His commandments. We also receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as we remain faithful to our covenants.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the second is repentance. The third is baptism, or covenant making, and the fourth is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. And so, baptism is more than a single act; it is the beginning of a covenant journey.” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "This Do in Remembrance of Me," Ensign, Nov. 1995)

Each week, when we partake of the sacrament, we are renewing that baptismal covenant. We remember the Savior’s sacrifice and recommit ourselves to live in alignment with His will. That simple, yet profound act—taking the sacrament—reminds us of our daily need for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power it brings into our lives.

In Mosiah 18:10, we read, “Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?”

This covenant isn’t just a one-time event. It’s something we live every day.

Now, as we think about our covenants, we can’t help but remember the ultimate covenant keeper—Jesus Christ. He is the perfect example of what it means to honor and keep covenants, and it is through His Atonement that we are even able to approach God.

Jesus made a covenant with the Father to come to earth, live a perfect life, and atone for the sins of the world. And He kept that covenant perfectly, no matter the cost—whether in the Garden of Gethsemane or on the cross. He fulfilled His role as the Savior of mankind.

In the sacrament, we remember that covenant Jesus made, and in return, we renew our own. We take upon us His name and commit to follow Him.

As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world, was the first to make and keep covenants perfectly. His Atonement is the basis for all covenants that God has made with His children.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Covenants,” Ensign, May 2020)

Christ was the only one who could perfectly fulfill His covenant, but through Him, we have the opportunity to renew our covenants each time we fall short—and we all do. He offers us His grace to keep moving forward, to start again, and to continue on the path.

Let’s turn now to how these covenants show up in our lives, no matter where we are on that journey.

For our children and youth, covenants may seem a little distant. While they may not yet have made the baptismal covenant, they are still part of God’s covenant people. They have the opportunity to grow in faith, make choices to follow Christ, and begin to learn what it means to take upon them His name. Even simple acts like prayer, scripture study, and obeying their parents and leaders bring them closer to God and align them with their future covenants.

President Gordon B. Hinckley once said, “The great promise of the gospel is that you can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide and direct you in your lives. He will be your constant companion if you will keep your covenants.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Great Things Which God Has Revealed," Ensign, Nov. 2005)

For adults, the covenant path often involves steady progress and personal sacrifice. Whether it’s balancing family responsibilities, work, or serving in the Church, adults are often pulled in many directions. But when we focus on our covenants—remembering Christ, keeping the commandments, and living with integrity—those covenants give us the strength we need. They guide our decisions and comfort us when life gets tough.

As Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “As we take the covenant of baptism, we promise to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. We make a promise to follow Him and to serve others. In return, He promises to help us become who we were always meant to be.” (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Great Adventure," Ensign, May 2017)

For our senior saints, the power of covenants becomes even more precious with age. As life brings its share of challenges—whether illness, the loss of loved ones, or the trials of aging—the promises of our covenants remain a steady source of peace. Senior members of the Church are often the anchors for the younger generations, showing us through their example of faith and perseverance what it looks like to honor covenants through a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and devotion to the Savior.

The blessings of keeping our covenants are truly immeasurable. First and foremost, we are promised the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and this is a blessing for all of us—no matter our age. The Holy Ghost offers comfort, guidance, and peace when we face the challenges of life.

Moreover, when we keep our covenants, we experience peace. In a world full of uncertainty, the covenant path is a steady anchor, helping us face each day with confidence. Whether we’re young, middle-aged, or older, we can find peace in knowing that we’re walking in alignment with God’s will.

President Henry B. Eyring explained: “The blessings of the gospel are for every season of life. But they come most powerfully as we live the covenant path, making and keeping covenants with the Lord.” (President Henry B. Eyring, "The Covenant Path," Ensign, May 2019)

Another blessing is the strength to face adversity. The Savior has promised to be with us through our trials. As we keep our covenants, we can rely on His grace to help us through even the hardest times.

Finally, keeping our covenants gives us hope for the future. No matter how old or young we are, we can have hope because of the Savior’s promises. For the youth, it’s hope for the future and for personal growth. For adults, it’s hope in family and eternal perspectives. For seniors, it’s hope in the continuing love of God and the knowledge that He will fulfill all His promises.

As we reflect on the significance of covenants, I invite each of us to consider how we’re living our covenants. Are we remembering the Savior each week as we partake of the sacrament? Are we striving to live in accordance with His teachings? Are we sharing the gospel and living in a way that invites the Spirit into our lives?

Elder David A. Bednar shared: “If you do not yet know or understand the blessings of covenants, make them and keep them. This is the work of salvation—working together to bring all to the knowledge of the Savior through covenants.” (Elder David A. Bednar, "The Great Plan of Happiness," Ensign, Nov. 2010)

I encourage everyone—no matter your age—to renew your commitment to walk the covenant path with more intention. Each of us can take a step—whether it’s making more time for prayer, studying the scriptures, attending sacrament meeting with more focus, or offering more service to others.

Brothers and sisters, the power of covenant is a source of strength for all of us. The Lord has made covenants with us, and He is always faithful to fulfill His promises. Whether we are young or old, we can all find peace, strength, and hope through our covenants with Him.

I testify that Jesus Christ is the ultimate covenant keeper, and because of Him, we can all experience the blessings of our covenants. As we renew these covenants each week, may we feel the power of His love and grace in our lives.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.