Yokes & Covenants
In my scripture study lately, I’ve thought about the following questions:
Why is studying about the fall of Adam and Eve important?
Why is the gathering of Israel important and what does it look like?
Why should covenants be important to me?
As I continued to study over time, I found some basic answers that helped me to realize that these questions are actually interrelated. With this new understanding, I’ve been able to add more depth and meaning to my learning. So this week, I want to share with you some of these basic ideas so that perhaps you may find it a springboard to your own learning as well.
Why do we study the Fall of Adam & Eve?
Understanding the fall helps us to understand our need for a Savior. This is why in the temple we focus on the fall of Adam and Eve and the subsequent covenants that help us access redemption through Jesus Christ.
Why is the gathering of Israel important to God?
Joseph Smith instructed that the object of gathering the people of God in any age of the world is to build temples so that people can be taught the way of salvation through sacred covenants and ordinances that were revealed by God. (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 416 - 417) Nephi and his family were personal witnesses of the scattering of Israel and we in the modern world are witnesses today of how God gathers His children through missionary and temple work.
What is the importance of Covenants? Why do I need them?
When we make covenants with the Lord, we are actually taking his yoke upon us. A yoke is a frame or bar that can be placed on one or two people or animals pulling or carrying a heavy load. The yoke balances the burden and makes it easier to manage. In Matthew 11:28-30 it says:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
If we are yoked with the Savior by making and keeping sacred covenants with him, we will have his power in our lives. The covenant path, which starts with baptism and later includes temple covenants, not only leads us in the right direction like a map, but it also actually helps us to become worthy to enter into God’s presence through the gradual process of personal change. These changes make our lives easier and better. President Oaks taught in our last General Conference: “We qualify for eternal life through a process of conversion. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.
With these basic answers above, the following scriptures gained much more meaning to me this week.
D&C 115:5-6
And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.
D&C 133:7
Yea, verily I say unto you again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you; Go ye out of Babylon; gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
D&C 133:9
And behold, and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people may be enlarged, an that their stakes may be strengthened, and that Zion may go forth unto the regions round about.
1 Nephi 14:14
And it came to pass that I Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.
2 Nephi 9:23
And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
2 Nephi 9:41
O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.
2 Nephi 9:53
And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.
