Protect; Prepare; Empower

YW General President Rosemary Wixom

WHAT?

Keeping covenants protects us; prepares us; and empowers us.

SO WHAT?

Sister Wixom asked all of the girls, ages 8 through 11, to stand.  She hummed 3 notes of a Primary song and the girls began to sing it, having recognized it from only 3 notes:
     Teach me to walk in the light of His love;
     Teach me to pray to my father above;
     Teach me to know of the things that are right;
     Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.

The older women then responded:
     Come little child and together we'll learn
     Of His commandments that we may return
     Home to His presence to live in His sight
     Always, always, we'll walk in the light.

The first covenant I made was at the age of eight when I was baptized a for the remission of sin and to enter into Christ's Church and Kingdom.  As an older woman - mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother - I have a responsibility to share my testimony of covenant keeping with women younger than myself.  Covenant keeping has  protected me and will continue to do so as long as I live.  Covenants have empowered me as they have kept me safely on the Lord's side of the fence. 

Following the covenant of baptism, I was given the gift of the Holy Ghost.  The constant companionship of the Holy Spirit has inspired and directed my life.  When tempted to stray, I feel its voice of warning.  When I have ignored that voice, it has always been to my sorrow.  When I heed it, I am strong and protected.  To live without it would be unthinkable.

NOW WHAT?

I have tried to teach by precept and example my daughter, granddaughters, and now great-granddaughters.  Sometimes I have succeeded.  Sometimes, I have fallen short.  I need to be more valiant in sharing my testimony of the importance of making and keeping covenants.  Another Primary song says in part:
     Keep the commandments. 
     Keep the commandments.
     In this there is safety; in this there is peace . . .
I must let my younger women know that I know that!

Keeping baptismal covenants prepare us to make and keep temple covenant.  These, in turn, prepare us for eternal life.

As I take the sacrament each week, I renew my baptismal covenant, promising again that I will always remember Jesus and will keep the commandments which He has given.

I also interact with younger women and girls in my Church family.  I need to share my testimony with them in all times and in all places and in all circumstances.

I need to not be caught up in the thick of thin things!

Text copyright March 2014, Gebara Education

 

Pictures

Covenant Keepers from www.bellafaithdesigns.com

Baptism and Confirmation from www.lds.org

Covenant keepers from www.pinterst.com