Hello everyone. For those of you who don't know me. My name is Elder King. I'm from Lindon Utah and I have just started my Mission. I like to play sports, sing, and basically try anything new. Enough about me, let's get into my talk.
To start, I was given the talk "Why the Covenant Path". This is a great talk that Elder D. Todd Christofferson gave at the beginning of this year, in general conference. I like many parts of this talk. The main things I wanted to focus on were, what is the Covenant Path, how do I build my relationship with God, and How can I show others the Covenant Path.
First, let's answer the question of What is the Covenant Path? Before I answer this question, I want to talk about the blessing from following the path. As I read a part of Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk, I want you to focus on the blessing you get from following the path. Elder D. Todd Christofferson, quotes President Russell M. Nelson, he says," Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping these covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere." So now I ask you the question, What blessing do I get from following the Path? The last part of the quote says that every spiritual blessing and privilege is available to you. Following the Path, gives you every spiritual blessing. That is a lot of blessings.
Now back to the Question of what is the Covenant Path. To put this simply, it is you making and keeping all the covenants that you have made with God. You start this path when you are baptized. Your first covenant with God, is when you take his name upon you, and in return God blesses you with the gift of the Holy Ghost. You promise him that you will follow his way and he promises back that he will help you. In the talk, Elder D. Todd Christofferson says,'' We embark upon the path at the gate of baptism and then “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men [the two great commandments] … to the end." You may not be perfect at this. All God cares about is how you try to do this. He wants you to repent, which just means that you become more like Christ. As you continue on this journey of making covenants with God, and enduring to the End. God blesses you and the lives around you. It also helps you draw closer unto Christ. This leads into my next point.
How can I build my relationship with God? With us making and keeping covenants with God, more often or not, our challenges to stay in his presence are self-inflicted. Elder D. Todd Christofferson gives an analogy for this. It goes as follows," In tennis, there is something called unforced errors. These are things such as hitting a playable ball into the net or double-faulting when serving. Unforced errors are considered the result of a player’s blunder rather than being caused by the opponent’s skill." These self-inflicted challenges are what draw us away from God. They may not be hard challenges, but it is what limits us from always standing by God. Some might say that I don't need covenants to have a relationship with God. This is true, but these covenants that you make help keep you there with God. It helps drive away these challenges that are self-inflicted.
Answering the question of how can I build my relationship with God, starts with the covenants we make. It shows God that we are obedient and that we want his help to stay on the path. It's different for all of us, as the covenants we make are personal to us and God. Elder D. Todd Christofferson, talks about how obedience brings us closer to God. This is what he says," With covenants, we are intent on more than just avoiding mistakes or being prudent in our decisions. We feel accountable to God for our choices and our lives. We take upon us the name of Christ. We are focused on Christ—on being valiant in the testimony of Jesus and on developing the character of Christ." Growing closer to God starts with covenants. One of these is becoming like Christ. As you become more like Christ, your relationship with God becomes stronger. Think about how we pray. We close in the name of Jesus Christ. He is our mediator to God and helps us develop that relationship with God. As we strive to become like Christ and follow his example, that helps us with the final question.
How can I show others the Covenant Path? Living like Christ, Helps others see that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. It helps them to want to become like Christ and experience the same thing as us. A Story that was shared in the talk, goes as follows,"
I am familiar with a couple where, at the time of their marriage, the wife was not active in the Church and the husband had never been a member of the Church. I will refer to them as Mary and John, not their real names. As children began to enter the picture, Mary felt keenly the need to raise them, as the scripture says, “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” John was supportive. Mary made some important sacrifices to be at home to teach the gospel on a consistent basis. She ensured that the family took full advantage of Church worship and activity. Mary and John became exemplary parents, and their children (all energetic boys) grew in faith and devotion to gospel principles and standards.
John’s parents, the boys’ grandparents, were pleased with the wholesome lives and achievements of their grandsons, but because of some antagonism toward the Church, they wanted to attribute this success exclusively to the parenting skills of John and Mary. John, although not a member of the Church, did not let that assessment go unchallenged. He insisted that they were witnessing the fruits of gospel teachings—what his sons were experiencing in church as well as what was happening at home."
This story is a perfect example of how we should teach and show our example to others. Remember this story as you bring others unto Christ. It is not how we Invite or Share the gospel. We want others to know, but it's how we show the example of Christ through us.
This reminds me of my Farewell talk. I talked about Love, Share, and Invite. I specifically put it in the order for a reason. Loving people comes first when you share the gospel. Don't force the gospel onto them. Love them as a friend and as a brother. Invite them to activities like having lunch or hanging out. Maybe share a little bit about the gospel here and there. If they ask about the gospel, don't hide it. In Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk, “Your Great Adventure”, he says,” May I remind you that God does not need you to ‘sell’ the restored gospel or the Church of Jesus Christ. He simply expects you not to hide it under a bushel. and if people decide the Church is not for them, that is their decision. It does not mean you have failed. You continue to treat them kindly. Nor does it exclude you from inviting them again.” All we can do is walk the Covenant Path and let ourselves be an example to others. We live our testimony and not just say it. As we do, we will be asked questions. Don't back away from these questions. People will want to naturally be in your presence since you have the light of Christ in you. As the lord has commanded," arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations; … 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." I pray that you can be that light for people. They need to be able to see the light of Christ through you. Through your love and compassion for them. You are what makes the work go forth and what brings people into God's arms.
Before I conclude, I simply want you to take away these three words. Love, Share, and Invite. Remember them when you teach, but also when you make friends. Remember that Love comes first. Without love, the work will never go forward. I bear my testimony, that as we Love, Share, and Invite others to the gospel. That we will be blessed knowing that we helped the lord with his work. That we may be the one that found our friend or friends who are lost. Just remember to Love, Share, and Invite and the order of which they are in. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.