YW Covenants
Efforts to keep covenants made at baptism “unite us with those who strive to do the same, creating bonds of unity and a sense of belonging,” writes the Young Women General Presidency and advisory council.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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By Young Women General Presidency and Advisory Council, Church News
At baptism, we made a sacred promise to the Lord and ourselves that we would live the gospel, help our brothers and sisters in need, and remember Jesus Christ in all that we do. We have the privilege of renewing those covenants when we partake of the sacrament each week. Our efforts to keep those covenants unite us with those who strive to do the same, creating bonds of unity and a sense of belonging.
Covenants unite us with God, our families and those striving to become like Him. We are not alone. We are traveling with others who have also made covenants and are working to improve daily.
When we unite with one another, we help deepen our commitment to live the gospel. Our love grows toward our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and each other. We are encouraged to “strive to become like Him” and “minister to others in His holy name.” As beloved daughters, the Young Women theme reminds us of our connection to our heavenly parents. We have a divine nature and eternal destiny.
Knowing our identity is vital. President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said, “Understanding this truth — really understanding and embracing it — is life-changing” (“Children of Heavenly Father,” March 3, 2020, BYU devotional). It also gives us direction, a source to turn to, and the confidence to put His promises to the test.
When we make and keep covenants with God, He is bound to keep His promises. Making and keeping sacred covenants binds us to God and changes our very natures to become more like Him.
As we become more like our Heavenly Father, we will see others as He sees them. We will be filled with charity, which is the pure love of Christ, and virtue will garnish our thoughts which in turn will allow our “confidence to wax strong” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45). We will come to understand who we really are and how our covenants bind us to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Sophie Utley, a 15-year-old young woman from Centerville, Utah, finds strength in her covenants and knowing her divine identity as a daughter of God. This summer, after returning home from Young Women camp and a For the Strength of Youth conference, Sophie faced some difficult challenges that tested her faith. The trials she faced made her question her worth and identity. She knelt in prayer and received a personal witness that confirmed her understanding that she is indeed a daughter of God.
With this peace and knowledge, she felt confident in her ability to move forward. Her trials were not taken away, but her renewed understanding of her own divine worth gave her the strength to move forward with faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She knew she had a place, she belonged, and everything would be OK.
By living life on the covenant path, we will experience greater peace and strength in troubled times. We will better understand our true identities and have a desire to make and keep covenants. When covenant-keeping disciples of Jesus Christ bind themselves together they bless and then strengthen one another, and ultimately have more significant opportunities to feel the Lord’s power and love.
We pray that you will see these blessings in your own lives and help the youth with whom you interact to see His hand and blessings in their own lives, understand their true identities as children of God, and feel the joy of covenant belonging.
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