answering the tough questions about mormonism: what is the new and everlasting covenant

[Stacy]

...The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind. -D&C 64:34

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant -Jer 31:31

Behold, I say unto you that all old covenants have I caused to be done away in this thing; and this is a new and an everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning. - D&C 22 Baptism the new and ever lasting covenant

it is because of your dead works that I have caused this last covenant and this church to be built up unto me, even as in days of old. D&C 22

vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. -D&C 84:55

(Vanity possesseth many who are desirous to know the certainty of things to come. -Webster 1828)

(Condemnation: the judicial act of declaring one guilty, and dooming him to punishment.-Webster 1828)

they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them -D&C 84:57

they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. -Isa 24:5

there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts 2nep 28:9

Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up. 2nep 28:12

And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; 2nep 26:22

my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness. 2nep 26:23

wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost! 2nep 26:27

But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men. D&C 45:49

behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. 2Nep 28:30

the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After these days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. -Jer 31:33

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. -2nep 8:7 -Isa 51:7

Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil 1nep 14:10

Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil. D&C 18:20

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. D&C 18:10

And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved. Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved; D&C 18:22-23

Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh D&C 1:2

Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength. D&C 11:20

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matt 22:37

lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation, preparing the way of the Lord for his second coming. D&C 34:6

Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. D&C 6:8

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. D&C 6:36

Seek the spirit of the Lord learn truth as it is taught from on high by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Comforter who bears witness of our savior yes the still small voice that will teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance.

Disciple of Christ ~Stacy

...until they repent and remember the new covenant -D&C 84:57

[Justice]

I liked what I read recently about the word Mormon.

I had always just assumed that the Book of Mormon was so named after the principle abridger, Mormon.

I read that Mormon was named after the place where Alma was first told to baptize and organize the church. The called the place Mormon because it mean "re-establishing a covenant."

So, whether the Book of Mormon was named after Mormon the person or Mormon the place, it's name signifies "Book of the re-establishing of the covenant."

D&C 84:57 implies this as well (quoted above).

[Seminarysnoozer]

It is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is "new" only after a period of apostasy. But it is the same given to our fathers, Abraham, etc. What is your understanding of the word "covenant"?

I think understanding Priesthood authority is a prerequisite to understand the real meaning and purpose of covenants. If one doesn't understand or have a testimony about priesthood power and authority then 'covenant' becomes synonymous with commandment which really isn't what covenant means.

[Just_A_Guy]

The called the place Mormon because it mean "re-establishing a covenant."

Very cool, Justice. Do you have a link/source on this?

[Stacy]

It is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is "new" only after a period of apostasy. But it is the same given to our fathers, Abraham, etc. What is your understanding of the word "covenant"?

I think understanding Priesthood authority is a prerequisite to understand the real meaning and purpose of covenants. If one doesn't understand or have a testimony about priesthood power and authority then 'covenant' becomes synonymous with commandment which really isn't what covenant means.

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; Jeremiah 31:31-32

Covenant: 1. A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, Webster 1828

also known as a promise from God.

[rameumptom]

The covenant God made with Israel at Sinai was a terrestrial covenant, based on the Mosaic Law. It is NOT an everlasting covenant. It is a subset of the everlasting covenant.

The Everlasting Covenant contains all things that are sealed both on earth and in heaven. This can only be done with the Melchizedek Priesthood. While the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood contain the key of ministering of angels, the Melchizedek Priesthood contains the key to the mystery of godliness. It is only through this priesthood and its keys that we can see and be like God.

The highest level of the Melchizedek Priesthood is only obtained in the temple. It is called the Patriarchal Order, and is entered into as a couple, not alone. So, in this highest priesthood order, both man and woman jointly hold it, holding the keys to eternal lives together.

The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood (D&C 84:33-40) applies here. When men obtain the priesthood of Melchizedek, and women and children accept/receive the blessings of the MP in their lives, they become the sons/children of Moses (being a son of Aaron is a promise of terrestrial blessings), and the literal spiritual seed of Abraham with all of its eternal blessings. In receiving the servants of God (Prophet, bishop, RS president) we receive Christ (terrestrial promises), who then leads us to the Father (celestial promises). In turn, the Father shares all that he has with us: all knowledge, all power, all peace, all joy, everything.

THIS is the new and everlasting covenant, of which eternal marriage is a portion.

[Seminarysnoozer]

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; Jeremiah 31:31-32

Covenant: 1. A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, Webster 1828

also known as a promise from God.

Yes, this is why I mentioned Abraham and not Moses. I agree with what Rameumptom is saying in his last post.

I think it is good to ask oneself, what is God consenting to, that isn't already part of a promise given for simply obeying the commandments? In other words, there is something more to being righteous under a covenant with God then being righteous without a covenant. When one understands the value of that additional consent from God (as you show in your Webster's definition) then one can start to appreciate the need and meaning of covenants in a true religion.

[Backroads]

I think it is good to ask oneself, what is God consenting to, that isn't already part of a promise given for simply obeying the commandments? In other words, there is something more to being righteous under a covenant with God then being righteous without a covenant. When one understands the value of that additional consent from God (as you show in your Webster's definition) then one can start to appreciate the need and meaning of covenants in a true religion.

Beautifully put. I know there are many who disregard religion because it seems to them just being rewarded for doing good. They fail to understand the relationship that exists.

[Justice]

Very cool, Justice. Do you have a link/source on this?

I'm going to have to rattle my memory... and do a few searches.

[Justice]

Well, I found it. I could offer commentary, but I'm just going to post it.

This is referenced in this article:

A New Approach to the Book of Mormon: The Restored Covenant Edition - Brian Hauglid - FARMS Review - Volume 12 - Issue 2

RCE = Restored Covenant Edition of the Book of Mormon, published by the Zarahemla Research Foundation or ZRF (which I think is associated to the RLDS Church).

Read the article linked before you pass judgement.

excerpt:

Author of the article: The third purpose for the RCE, dealing with the spiritual name of the Book of Mormon, also follows from the ZRF views on the covenant relationship. According to the introduction to the RCE, the actual name of the Book of Mormon can be symbolically or typologically understood from the incident at the Waters of Mormon, in which a group of people under Alma the Elder's leadership entered into a covenant relationship with the Lord (see LDS Mosiah 18).

From the Introduction of the RCE: From that time forward, the name Mormon reminded the people of the restoring of their covenants in the Land of Mormon. Its impact is seen even generations later when Mormon, the chief editor of The Book of Mormon, was named after the Land of Mormon where this restoration took place. Therefore, the name, The Book of Mormon, symbolically means The Book of the Restoration of the Covenant. (pp. v—vi)

What it says is certainly true, but whether or not a direct link can be made is for you to decide.

[Stacy]

Yes, this is why I mentioned Abraham and not Moses. I agree with what Rameumptom is saying in his last post.

I think it is good to ask oneself, what is God consenting to, that isn't already part of a promise given for simply obeying the commandments? In other words, there is something more to being righteous under a covenant with God then being righteous without a covenant. When one understands the value of that additional consent from God (as you show in your Webster's definition) then one can start to appreciate the need and meaning of covenants in a true religion.

listen to the Lord

Behold, I say unto you that (a)all old covenants have I caused to be done away in (b)this thing; and this is a new and an everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning.

Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times it availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by the law of Moses, neither by your ©dead works.

+For it is because of your dead works that I have caused this last covenant and this church to be built up unto me, even as in days of old.

Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, as I have commanded, and seek not to counsel your God. Amen.

D&C 22 (1830)

(a) All old covenants done away with by the Lord

(b) this thing the restoration of the church see +

© *dead works: Those works we do "before" we are saved as a means to try to please God and/or Those works we do "after" we are saved that are not pleasing to God. Activities other than baptism in which it is believed/taught that you must do or recieve such an ordinance before being worthy of salvation or a worldly activity one participates in only to please God.

*Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without a spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Wherefore, I (the Lord) say unto you that I have sent unto you mine everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning. D&C 49:9 1831

The new and everlasting covenant was restored as D&C 22 clearly states and it is and was the last covenant!

I tell you this for the welfare of your souls...the precepts of men and devils have long been taught as doctrine and commandment...and when this happens the people stumble.

Give ear for....ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils. D&C 46:7

God does not work in darkness and he doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world! He restored the church and the established the covenant by 1831 according to D&C 22 and 49. Joseph Smith and others began practicing polygamy as early as 1831. Oliver Cowdrey, William Law, W.W Phelps were opposed to what Oliver called a filthy nasty affair. Polygamy was against American Law and as Noah Webster put it- the offender is punishable for polygamy. Such is the fact in christian countries." -Webster 1828 The Article of Marriage is the true will of God, for marriage in this dispensation but this and other scriptures in the D&C were removed and changed according to the will of man. Trust not your salvation to man but counsel with God.

Wickedness drove them out of the holy land (Zion the New Jerusalem) He has said... shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay. D&C 84:57-59

The church was established agreeable to the law of our country according to D&C 20. The importance of the law is expressed again in D&C 98. The book of Mormon clearly states that those who inhabit this land (America) must serve the God of this land who is Jesus Christ for it is his law given to this land. Joseph Smith taught that he and others did not have to follow the law of this land because it was the Gentile law. He even married already married women because of his false teachings. It is important for one to realize that, the Joseph Smith we know today, art created. Seek, Search and ask God to show you, keep the commandments, study his books for in them are written the words of life and he who diligently seekth shall find and by the power of the Holy Ghost things shall be made know unto them. For he says hearken unto me all the people in whose heart I have written my law. Listen, he will speak in your mind and in your heart by the power of the Holy Ghost yes the comforter who will teach us all truth and bring all things to our remembrance. Pray and ask the father in the name of Jesus Christ if anything is untrue and he will manifast the truth unto you yes peace, comfort and light in darkness. Listen, light can always be found in darkness. Pray, always and with the full energy your heart. Be prepared for we shall soon see his face... awake and put on the full armor of God... yes oil your lamps and go out to met him. In the name on Jesus Christ amen

Peace and truth to you:) I must testify to you for I am commanded of God. The church fell in to apostasy and was scattered please seek the holy spirit as your guide and know that salvation comes from Jesus Christ and nothing done in that temple will save you. The Holy Spirit of promise dwells in your heart and comes by faith and diligence to the word, will and work of Jesus Christ seek his face, my beloved brothern.

[Seminarysnoozer]

I guess this is why I first said one must have a testimony about the power and authority of the Priesthood first, otherwise there is no real concept of "covenants". Sorry, but I don't understand covenants without Priesthood authority as you are suggesting is sufficient.

[rameumptom]

listen to the Lord

....

Peace and truth to you:) I must testify to you for I am commanded of God. The church fell in to apostasy and was scattered please seek the holy spirit as your guide and know that salvation comes from Jesus Christ and nothing done in that temple will save you. The Holy Spirit of promise dwells in your heart and comes by faith and diligence to the word, will and work of Jesus Christ seek his face, my beloved brothern.

Well, Stacy, you are welcome to your opinion. You are welcome to believe that Joseph was a fallen prophet or whatever. Since you are convinced he fell, partially due to his polygamy, then you must also have to reject the Abrahamic covenant, as Abraham also had more than one wife. So did Jacob, who was the father of the tribes of Israel. And if they are fallen from their inception, then that means that Moses, Isaiah, and even Jesus Christ must also be lost, as well.

God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his firstborn Isaac to him, even as the Canaanite god Molech commanded of his followers. Abraham did not equivocate nor question God, but he obeyed. Is not child sacrifice an abuse that is as bad, if not worse, than polygamy?

The early saints were not driven because of polygamy, they were driven out of Missouri due to their pride and selfishness. They were not willing to live the law of consecration, which is a requirement for any who would dwell in Zion.

That you felt "commanded of God" to testify of such things shows that you are not listening to the correct and true God. Otherwise, if you reject the LDS Church for such things now, then you must also reject the ancient Church for its failings and falling away, as well!

Christ showed anciently and today the requirement of temple. We are not saved by the things in the temple. However, it does exalt us. We are saved in Christ through faith and repentance. The temple introduces additional covenants that can help exalt us to a higher state of salvation. Perhaps you would understand this had you studied D&C 76 and 88.

Your lack of understanding of LDS principles and teachings show that you are either never really were a member (as your profile states), or that you are no longer a member.

Either way, your claims could easily be applied to the days of Moses or even Jesus Christ. His disciples fled and he died on the cross - both actions would suggest failure to the average viewer. Christ's final teachings were more radical than his initial ones: partaking of his flesh and blood (a pagan ritual); sell all you have, take up your cross and follow me; I come not to bring peace to the earth, but a sword, dividing families. This is very different than his initial calls to repentance and belief in God.

Why should greater requirements given by God to Joseph Smith and the Mormons be any different? Jesus set the example in his own mission, after all.

As for the temple rite, you have no idea what it is truly about, nor the great precedence it has in the Bible and many ancient Jewish and Christian texts. They understood the things that Mormons now are learning in the temple. Sadly, you seem to have hardened your heart and mind against such things of God.