One of the most important concepts of revealed religion is that of a sacred covenant. In legal language, a covenant generally denotes an agreement between two or more parties. But in a religious context, a covenant is much more significant. It is a sacred promise with God. He fixes the terms, each person may choose to accept those terms. If one accepts the terms of the covenant and obeys God's law, he or she receives the blessings associated with the covenant. We know that when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. Through the ages, God has made covenants with His children. His covenants occur throughout the entire plan of salvation, and are therefore part of the fullness of His gospel. The covenant God made with Abraham, and later reaffirmed with Isaac and Jacob, is of transcendent significance. It contains several promises, including Jesus the Christ would be born through Abraham's lineage. Abraham's posterity would be numerous, entitled to an eternal increase, and also entitled to bear the priesthood.

Abraham would become a father of many nations. Certain lands would be inherited by His posterity. All nations of the earth would be blessed by His seed, and that covenant would be everlasting, even through a thousand generations. We have received, as did they of old, the holy priesthood and the everlasting gospel. We have the right to receive the fullness of the gospel, enjoy the blessings of the priesthood, and qualify for God's greatest blessing, that of eternal life. Brethren of the covenant have the right to qualify for the oath and covenant of the priesthood. If you are faithful unto the obtaining of these two priesthoods and the magnifying of your calling, you are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of your bodies. That is not all. Men who worthily receive the priesthood receive the Lord Jesus Christ. And those who receive the Lord, receive God the Father. And those who receive the Father receive all that He has. At baptism, we covenant to serve the Lord and keep His commandments. When we partake of the sacrament, we renew that covenant, and declare our willingness to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Thereby, we are adopted as His sons and daughters, and are known as brothers and sisters. He is the Father of our new life. Ultimately in the holy temple, we may become joint heirs to the blessings of an eternal family, as once promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their posterity. Thus celestial marriage is the covenant of exaltation.

When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us. His law is written in our hearts. He is our God, and we are His people. The greatest compliment that can be earned here in this life is to be known as a covenant keeper. The rewards for a covenant keeper will be realized both here and hereafter, and we as faithful children of the covenant will be blessed now and forever. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.