Lesson for March 2, 2014

Today our lesson was given to us by Irma Lopez, one of the Relief Society presidency. The topic is the power of joy and love in covenant keeping. It was given as a talk by Sister Linda Burton. She told a story about a shepherd who called the five sheep in. Four of the sheep came, but one did not. She was new and needed to be taught with loving kindness to come when called. His patience paid off and she learned to come. Making and keeping covenants means to bind ourselves to our Lord. A covenant is a binding spiritual contract. We agree to obey and God agrees to give us eternal life. Irma pointed us to some scriptures: 1 Nephi 14:14 The people are armed with righteousness and get blessings when they keep covenants. The received strength to resist temptation. As covenant keepers we can help each other with problems and share each others' burdens. We feel connections with others who keep their covenants, as well. President Holland said we go to the temple for forgiveness, so performing ordinances can help us connect. Mosiah 27:14 The Lord heard the prayers of the people. Alma had the prayers of the people to help his son. When we pray for each other, we lift and strengthen each other. One way to help little children learn about covenants, is to make promises and keep those promises. Then they will believe that keeping promises is what must be done. We also need to help children understand that they keep their baptismal covenant as well. That will help them feel like they need to keep temple covenants. The example of the parents is important as well as they go to the temple and tell the children how important it is. Sometimes the children even tell the parents that it is time to go to the temple. We can also help children understand tithing from an early age and other covenants. Symbols are an important part of our spiritual lives and we can teach children about what those symbols mean. Learning stories about our ancestors can uplift and help us to get to know them. Sometimes the vocabulary is hard, so we need to teach children the meaning of endowment. It is good to teach them about the temple. It is better to prepare them to go. It is best to be an example of going to the temple. We keep covenants because they are essential to make us happy. 2 Nephi 5:27 They lived after the manner of happiness Alma 50:22-23 There never was a happier time among the Nephites than the people of Mormon, while the wicked perished by the sword. Being forced to do something may not be the best, but telling them why is important. They need to have an understanding in themselves to do what is right when they are on their own. We need to treat them with respect, but we also have our responsibility to require that some things need to be done. By keeping our covenants, we demonstrate that we love Heavenly Father. By joyfully keeping our covenants, we demonstrate the joy we have in loving our Heavenly Father. John 14:21