Covenants with Christ

Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 2

This lesson is a different one as far as readings go, as it does not cover a group of sections, but is a smattering of scriptures that tell us about the Savior, or rather Christ telling us about himself.  In fact, the lessons covered this year in the Doctrine and Covenants are topical, so it will be important to have a class member study guide booklet, or find the study guide on lds.org, so you can follow along.

The title of the lesson today is: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.”  I’ve thought a lot about the title of the Doctrine and Covenants in the last few weeks with respect to the topic.  The Doctrine and Covenants is yet another book of scripture that testifies of Jesus Christ, his mission and gospel.  Though the wording is not the same in the titles of other books of scripture, it is the same meaning.  In fact, the Bible Dictionary says the word “testament” can be exchanged with the word “covenant.”  So, an interesting way to look at our books of scripture and their purpose are:

Scriptural Texts:
The Old Covenant
The New Covenant
The Book of Mormon: Another Covenant of Jesus Christ
The Doctrine and Covenants

Or vice versa:
The Old Testament, the New Testament, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and the Doctrine and Testament.

I would like to read the definition of covenants from the Bible Dictionary about Covenants that helped me understand what I need to look for in my study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year:

Covenant. Sometimes denotes an agreement between persons or nations; more often between God and man; but in this latter case it is important to notice that the two parties to the agreement do not stand in the relation of independent and equal contractors. God in his good pleasure fixes the terms, which man accepts. The same word is sometimes rendered “testament.” The gospel is so arranged that principles and ordinances are received by covenant placing the recipient under strong obligation and responsibility to honor the commitment.

Not only do we need to know the terms God fixes, but we need to know what kind of a being we are making covenants with.  Joseph Smith said in order to exercise faith in God, we must have a knowledge of his “character, perfections and attributes.”

The Introduction to The Doctrine and Covenants says these are, “sacred revelations [that] were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations involving real people.” We learn about the character, attributes and perfections of the Lord in reading about his interaction with regular people like us.  They receive some very personal revelations, which I am grateful they could share with us, because what they learn are universal truths.  Let’s read some of those examples:

Atonement
DC 19:15-20 This revelation was given to Martin Harris, who it seems was seeking assurance of his standing before God, two years after his issue with taking and losing some pages of the manuscript of The Book of Mormon.  President Joseph Fielding Smith said,
It was without question a revelation of great comfort to Martin, and it is one of the great revelations given in this dispensation; there are few of greater
import than this. The doctrine of the atonement of the Lord, as directly applying to the individual, and his exposition of ‘Eternal Punishment,’ as here set forth, give to the members of the Church light which was not previously known.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:85.)

HOW DOES THIS PASSAGE HELP INSPIRE YOU TO WANT TO MAKE A COVENANT WITH HIM? WHAT IS THE PROMISE GIVEN, OR THE TERMS HE IS SETTING FORTH?
You don’t even understand the pain you will suffer, let me tell you a little about it.  I’ve provided a way for you to avoid that suffering.  Later in this section, the Savior tells Martin what he can do in this life to avoid the suffereing (repent, preach, follow him, pray, have humility, etc.)

Individual Atonement
DC 34:1-3 A very personal revelation given to 19-year-old Orson Pratt
DC 58:41-43 (if we repent, we will be forgiven)

Resurrection
DC 88:11-18  Revelation called “the olive leaf. . plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us”  (resurrection is the redemption of the soul through Christ, to receive redemption of soul, seek for the light provided by Christ that quickens your understanding)

DC 93:33-38 (men are redeemed from the fall but are innocent at birth, we are to therefore seek for and receive light and intelligence, do not defile our body or spirit)

WHAT MOTIVATION DOES KNOWLEDGE OF A RESURRECTION PROVIDE FOR MAKING COVENANTS?
Without resurrection, there would be no point for the atonement, there would be no purpose to progress for. Resurrection is THE motivation for covenants, and is only provided through the Savior.

Empathy
DC 122:7-9 (the Savior has descended below all things)

HOW DOES KNOWING THE SAVIOR HAS EMPATHY FOR OUR ISSUES COMPELL US TO MAKE COVENANTS WITH HIM?
Endure, know there is someone who can help, that it is possible to pass through all tribulation, “fear not what man can do,” etc) I know what you are going through, you still have to go through it.  But I made it through and so can you, because I will help you.

WHAT DOES THY PRIESTHOOD SHALL REMAIN WITH THEE MEAN?
(the power of the Lord endures everything)

Advocate
DC 45:3-5 He is our advocate because of the atonement, resurrection and empathy. (testify of what advocate means to you)

Having discussed now, why we can trust Him to make life-altering covenants with, we come to what some of those covenants are.  In your Class Member Study Guide, you have been given a scriptures chain of Christ attributes.  These attributes are part of his covenant with us.

One of the ways I will study The Doctrine and Covenants this year is by writing down the terms of His covenants and what I accept to do.  I’ve given an example with some of the scripture chain verses you read in the class member study guide:

Scripture	Our covenant	His covenant/ testament/attributes
DC 6:20-21	Diligent in keeping commandments	Encircled in the arms of His love
DC 6:32-37	Be unified in belief Built upon his rock Keep commandments	He will be in our midst Enemies will not prevail Inherit kingdom of God
DC 29:1-2	Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ (humility, prayer)	Gather his people
DC 19:1-4	Use agency=just reward	Just judgment
DC 45:3-5	Listen to Him	Plead your cause and provide atonement
DC 50:44	Build upon Him as foundation	Will not fall
DC 76:5	Fear Him, Serve Him	Give mercy, grace and honor
DC 93:5-19	We are to learn from grace to grace	He learned from grace to grace

The Savior explained his desire for making covenants with us, and I imagine He would want us to feel the same in return:

DC 50:41-44 The Savior desires us to be one with him, so he gives us doctrine, commandments and covenants