Part 1

Close your eyes and bring your attention to your body. Let go of any tension you are holding in your face, jaw, neck, and shoulders. Rest in a comfortable posture where you feel centered, balanced, and relaxed.

Now bring your attention to your breath. While taking a few deep breaths, say a short prayer that you will be open to inspiration while pondering.

As your breathing returns to normal, gently turn your thoughts and attention toward the topic of covenants.

A covenant is “a sacred agreement between God and a person or group of people. God sets specific conditions, and He promises to bless us as we obey those conditions. When we choose not to keep covenants, we cannot receive the blessings, and in some instances we suffer a penalty as a consequence.” (“Covenant,” Gospel Topics, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, churchofjesuschrist.org).

Covenants that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make include the baptismal covenant (which is renewed during the sacrament), the priesthood covenant, temple endowment covenants, and the temple sealing covenant. Let’s spend some time pondering the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.

Worthy male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints receive the holy priesthood by an “oath and covenant.” President Nelson has testified that “[i]ncredible blessings flow from this oath and covenant to worthy men, women, and children in all the world.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Covenants,” General Conference, October 2011.)

What is the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood?

The priesthood covenant is explained in chapter 84 of The Doctrine and Covenants. As I read the promises in the covenant, take note any that stand out to you:

When taking the oath and covenant of the priesthood,

The priesthood holder promises:

-   To receive the priesthood; (D&C 84:33)

-   To magnify his callings in it; (D&C 84:33) and

-   To live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. (D&C 84:44.)

In return, God promises that faithful covenant keepers will

-   Be “sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing their bodies” (D&C 84:33);

-   “Become sons of Moses and Aaron” (whose sons administered the ordinances of salvation to the children of Israel. Priesthood holders have that same privilege of administering ordinances to church members today) (D&C 84:34);

-   Become “the seed of Abraham” (and thus receive all the blessings promised to Abraham and his posterity) (D&C 84:34);

-   Become “the elect of God” (D&C 84:34.); and

-   Receive “all that [the] Father hath,” including eternal life. (D&C 84:38.) 

What is its Relevance to Women?

President Joseph Fielding Smith once said that “These blessings are also poured out … upon all the faithful women of the Church. … The Lord offers to His daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by His sons.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith (2013), 305–6.)

Sister Becky Craven explains further: “Although women do not hold or receive the priesthood itself, as they make and keep priesthood covenants, magnify their callings, keep the commandments, receive the Lord’s servants, and live by every word of God, they will receive the same blessings promised to men who hold and righteously use the priesthood.” (Becky Craven, “Sister Craven on Women and Priesthood: All the Spiritual Blessings of the Church”, Women and Priesthood Power.)

Although women do not enter into the oath and covenant of the priesthood, the other covenants women do enter into are entered into through the priesthood power. Ponder the following excerpt from D&C Chapter 84. Although written in the context of the priesthood covenant, note how these verses easily apply to women.

In D&C chapter 84, Christ teaches that:

“For he [or she] that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

“And he [or she] that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

“And he [or she] that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him [or her].

“And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.” (D&C 84:36-39.)

What Happens if the Covenant is Broken?

There are blessings associated with keeping covenants, and, curses, essentially, associated with breaking them. D&C 84:41 warns that “whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.”

Henry B. Eyring explains that “[i]t is the magnitude of the possible consequences of that oath and covenant which may require a regular boost in your confidence.” (Henry B. Eyring, “Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood”, General Conference, April 2008).

He gives two reasons why priesthood holders should be “confident rather than discouraged with the penalties that would follow either failing to keep the oath and covenant or deciding not to accept it.” Ponder the logic of his first reason after I read it: First, whether you accept the oath and covenant and fail to keep it, or decide not to accept it at all, the penalty is the same: loss of eternal life. “There is no question, therefore, that your best course and mine,” President Eyring says, “is to receive the holy priesthood and try with all of our hearts to keep its covenants.” (Henry B. Eyring, “Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood”, General Conference, April 2008).

The second reason President Eyring gives is that “God promises you the help and power which, if you exercise faith, will give you success.”(Henry B. Eyring, “Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood”, General Conference, April 2008.)

We will ponder that help and power in a moment. First, let’s spend time thinking about the promises that the priesthood holder makes when entering into the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.

Priesthood Holder Promises

Magnify callings in it

Covenant makers promise to magnify their calling. A basic definition of magnifying a calling is to understand your duty and execute it to the fullest extent. (See D&C 107:99-100, “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen.”).

To do this, you must know your duty. If you are a priesthood holder, make a mental list of the duties associated with your priesthood office. If you are not a priesthood holder, think about the callings you have in the gospel. This could be general, like ward member, parent, neighbor, sibling; or specific, like organist, building coordinator, or primary teacher. What are the duties associated with your calling?

Consider the following definition of “magnify” and ponder what it looks like, for you to magnify your calling: In Webster’s 1828 dictionary, “to magnify” is defined as follows: “to make great in representation; to extol; to exalt in description or praise” or “to exalt; to elevate; to raise in estimation.”

Marion G. Romney identified three things needed to magnify a calling: “One is that we have a motivating desire to do so. Another is that we search and ponder the words of eternal life. And a third is that we pray.”(Marion G. Romney, Ensign, July 1973, 89)

What motivates you to magnify your calling?

How can you use the words of eternal life to magnify your calling?

How can you use prayer to magnify your calling?

Live by Every Word

The other major promise in the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood is to “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” (D&C 84:44.) Think about all the prophets, apostles, general authorities, missionaries, and others who have shared the words of God on earth. How can you organize or process the many words we have from God in a way that will help you remember and keep this promise?

This is a big promise with a lot in it, and it is inevitable that you will not be perfect in keeping it. But God has promised personal help.

God’s Promises and Blessings

President Eyring once made a great point that, “the very fact that you have been offered the oath and covenant is evidence that God has chosen you, knowing your power and capacity. He has known you since you were with Him in the spirit world. With His foreknowledge of your strength, He has allowed you to find the true Church of Jesus Christ and to be offered the priesthood. You can feel confidence because you have evidence of His confidence in you.” (Henry B. Eyring, “Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood”, General Conference, April 2008).

This concept is not unique to priesthood holders. No matter what your calling is, the fact that you hold it is evidence that Christ has confidence in your ability to fulfill it.

Take a moment to ponder that last line: “you can feel confidence because you have evidence of His confidence in you.”

Even though the Lord has confidence in you, you don’t have to go it alone. The blessings that come from keeping covenants are designed to help you fulfill your covenant promises. We will ponder these blessings in part 2 of this series.

Let’s end with a verse from D&C 84. “And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.” (D&C 84:43.)

Part 2

Part of the Lord’s confidence in us might come from the blessings we are promised when we keep covenant promises. Let’s ponder the blessings specifically promised as part of the oath and covenant of the priesthood.

In the context of the oath and covenant of the priesthood, the Lord promised: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (D&C 84:88.) “and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you.” (D&C 84:42.) Visualize yourself going about your duties with the Lord on either side of you, with the Spirit in your heart, and with angels surrounding you, holding you up.

Does knowing you have heavenly help, or can have heavenly help, at all times throughout your day inspire you to change any behaviors or habits? (See Smith, Hyrum M. and Sjodahl, Janne M., "Doctrine and Covenants Commentary" (2015). WordCruncher. 508.

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wordcruncher/508p. “How important, then, that those who bear the Holy Priesthood should live so, that they are fit companions for angels!” )

Physical Strength to Meet Obligations

The next blessing is physical and mental strength to meet obligations. Christ promises, “[f]or whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these . . . priesthoods . . . , and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.”

Have you ever felt the blessing of your body or mind being renewed as you have gone about the Lord’s work?

Christ Views You as a Friend

Next, you can take strength by pondering that Christ views you as a friend. He said, “And as I said unto mine apostles, even so I say unto you, for you are mine apostles, even God’s high priests; ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends;” (D&C 84:63).

“And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power;” (D&C 84:77).

Imagine what it would be like to meet Christ for lunch, like you would a close friend. What restaurant would you take Him to? What would you talk about?

Receive All the Father Hath

Next, faithful covenant keepers are promised to receive all that the Father hath. (D&C 84:35-39).  Spencer W. Kimball once asked: “Have you ever stopped to [count] all the blessings, the powers that the Lord has? All power, all influence, all strength will be yours, and this is according to the oath and covenant of the holy priesthood which you bear.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Conference Report,” Buenos Aires Area Conference, 1975, 51).

Take a moment to ponder the blessings and powers that the Lord has and imagine yourself having those same blessings and powers. Consider the miracles we read about Jesus performing in the New Testament. What could you do with those powers?

Repentence

Finally, the Lord graciously included a provision in the covenant for repentance. He promised:

“For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.” (D&C 84:61.)

President Eyring sums it up this way: “You are also promised that you will be given the power to bear testimony and that in the process you will be cleansed and made fit for the eternal life which you have been promised.” (Henry B. Eyring, “Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood”, General Conference, April 2008).

How often have you thought of bearing your testimony in connection to receiving forgiveness for your shortcomings? When was the last time you shared your testimony in any way?

I’ll leave you with this quote from the manual entitled Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood manual:

“We should think often about the great blessings the Lord has promised us if we are faithful. As we do so, our desire to keep our covenants will increase and lead us toward eternal life.” (The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part B, Lesson 1, p. 7.)

When you are ready, slowly bring your attention back to your body. As you open your eyes and return to your surroundings, take a moment to jot down any thoughts, feelings, or impressions that came to you while you were pondering. And, if necessary, make a plan to act on those things.