Outline:
- Introduction
- The Covenant Path and Access to Power: As individuals progress along the covenant path, including baptism and temple ordinances, they gain the power to go against the natural worldly flow.
- The Analogy of the Amazon River
- The Tidal Bore Phenomenon: The Amazon River experiences powerful tidal bores that defy its natural flow due to celestial alignment, demonstrating that even mighty forces can yield to heavenly powers.
- Application to Our Lives: Similar to the river, we can achieve seemingly unnatural transformation through divine assistance, moving against our natural tendencies towards humility, meekness, and submission to God’s will.
- Covenants as a Divine Mechanism
- God’s Establishment of Covenants: God established covenants as a means for His children to unite with Him, outlining conditions for transformation, salvation, and exaltation.
- Nature of Covenants: Covenants are sacred pledges, requiring priesthood authority and exceptional commitment, and they connect us to God’s promises and blessings.
- The Covenant Path and Access to Power
- Connecting to Christ: The covenant path begins with faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost. Through these steps, individuals connect to Jesus Christ and initiate the transformative process.
- Symbolic Representation: Baptism and the sacrament symbolize taking on Christ’s name and the importance of identifying ourselves as His disciples, promising to represent Him well.
- Temple Ordinances and Endowment: The covenant path leads to temple ordinances, including the temple endowment, which deepens the connection to God through sacred covenants.
- Benefits of Temple Covenants: Temple covenants grant greater understanding of God’s purposes, guidance for life, maturity in discipleship, protection from evil, and strength to withstand trials.
- Personal Example of Covenant Power
- Lena Sofia’s Experience: Lena Sofia’s example illustrates the power of covenant faith. Despite enduring immense challenges, she found peace and hope through her understanding of eternal families and the sealing power.
- Power to Endure and Rise Above: Lena’s baptismal and sacramental covenants empowered her to overcome challenges and hardships, providing hope and comfort.
- Promised Power to Individuals: Elder Renlund’s promise of power through the covenant path extends to all who embrace it, offering protection from adversity and the influence of the adversary.
Transformation and Divine Delight: Walking the covenant path leads to transformation and a connection with God, making individuals His covenant children and heirs in His kingdom.
Elder Renlund invites individuals to embrace the covenant path, reassuring them that God’s power is accessible as they navigate life’s challenges with hope, comfort, and joy.