Brief Summary
Elder David A. Bednar’s talk focuses on the eternal significance of priesthood ordinances and sacred covenants, the role of the Holy Ghost in confirming those covenants, and the reassurance that God will honour His promises to those who remain faithful. A particularly comforting message concerns temple sealings: another person’s unrighteous choices cannot ultimately deprive a faithful covenant keeper of the blessings God has promised.
Key quotes and questions to ponder and discuss
‘The covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s restored gospel are spiritual credentials that can open wide the heavenly windows of opportunity to receive in our lives divine purpose, direction, and strength.’ (Paragraph 13)
What does Elder Bednar mean when he talks about spiritual credentials? (Think about the Parable of the Passport).
‘“No matter what citizenship or race, whether male or female, no matter what occupation, no matter your education, regardless of the generation in which one lives, life is a homeward journey for all of us, back to the presence of God.” – Boyd K Packer.’ (Paragraph 2)
What does it mean to me to see mortality as a journey home to God?
‘“Ordinances and covenants become our credentials for admission into His presence. To worthily receive them is the quest of a lifetime; to keep them thereafter is the challenge of mortality.” – Boyd K Packer.’ (Paragraph 3)
How are my daily choices helping me prepare to return to His presence?
‘…the adversities and afflictions we experience through no fault of our own do not diminish God’s promises to us or invalidate our covenants.’ (Paragraph 9)
What comfort does this statement offer?
‘A covenant is a solemn promise—an enduring commitment between God and His sons and daughters. God establishes the conditions of all gospel covenants, and His children exercise their moral agency to learn about and consent to what He asks them to do.’ (Paragraph 11)
What is God’s role in a covenant? What is our role?
‘The Holy Ghost is also described in scripture as the Holy Spirit of Promise, who ratifies or confirms as acceptable to God the righteous acts of His children. Ultimately, all gospel ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.’ (Paragraph 15)
What is Elder Bednar teaching us hear about the Holy Spirit of Promise?
‘Receiving this ratifying sealing by the Holy Ghost typically is not a one-time event; rather, it comes over time as we repent sincerely and consistently, honor our covenants, and yield our hearts unto God. Righteously seeking for this blessing is “the challenge of mortality,” as described by President Packer.’ (Paragraph 16)
How do we receive this ratifying sealing?
‘The sealing of a man and a woman in the house of the Lord is a crowning covenant and ordinance of the Savior’s restored gospel.’ (Paragraph 20)
Why is this the case?
‘No faithful disciple will ultimately be deprived of any eternal blessing God has promised because of another individual’s unrighteous exercise of moral agency.’ (Paragraph 28)
What is the significance of this statement?
Invitations
- Review the covenants you have made
- Practise daily repentance
- Seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost
- Make temple worship more purposeful
- Trust God in times of uncertainty
- Offer hope to others
Application
What can I do today to become more faithful to my covenants while trusting Heavenly Father with the blessings I cannot yet see?
You can watch Elder Bednar’s talk here
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