3- 2/12/23 Garments and Covenant Belonging

3-  Hello Family,

This weeks email is a summary of the lesson I had to give today in our Elders Quorum meeting. I was able to choose a conference talk to lead a discussion on, and I decided to choose one that Miles has recently studied, Elder Bednar’s talk titled Put On Thy Strength, O Zion. I would encourage each of you to re-read and study this message as there is so much there to apply to our day to day lives.

The part I want to focus on is the garment that the man in the parable chose not to wear. Here are some meaning things I have learned in my study that I wanted to share with you.

We all are invited to the wedding, but we get to choose to accept the invitation or not. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we have chosen to accept this invite. The goal now is to willingly and gratefully put on the wedding garment that the king has provided for us to wear. In the book of Revelations John teaches us what this garment is.

Revelations 19:8, “and she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints”.

Our willingness to choose Christ is demonstrated in our strivings and actions as we seek to Hear Him, and follow Him. As we seek to be like Him our lives are filled with all things good, and we line upon line become more righteous. Not self righteous , but we are blessed with the power of godliness to put off the natural man in us, less inclined to put ourselves first.

Think of your temple covenants - Doctrine and Covenants 84:20 teaches us that “in the ordinances, the power of godliness is manifest”. Righteousness and Godliness are synonymous. As we learn and live (implement) our temple covenants we are promised this power! I have written in my scriptures next to this vs of scripture what has become a favorite quote of mine from Elder Gong given a couple of years ago. It means a great deal to me, because it clearly teaches me the “why” behind the need for temple ordinances.

“Sacred ordinances offer covenant belonging and the power of godliness to sanctify inner intent and outward action.”

Ponder that truth. God, in His infinite wisdom, designed in His Plan of Salvation, a special and unique power tied to covenants He makes with His children. Thereby not interfering with our agency, but rather blessing us with a greater desire and aptitude for righteousness. Our thought and intents become more pure. The Holy Ghost brings to our mind ideas of action that will bless others in need. As we seek to follow and become more like the Savior in honoring our covenants we really are progressing to be like Him. Always falling short, yet always willing to retry.

I love this teaching. Learn your covenants, and then strive to keep them! I promise that as we do, our hearts won’t have been “set on the things of this world, aspiring to the honors of men” (D&C 121:35,36), but “upon the principles of righteousness.” We will have power to overcome all our struggles and trials, all temptations and distractions. We will slowly and steadily become more like Him. And when He comes again, “we shall be like him, for we a shall see him as he is…” (Moroni 7:48) We will be wearing what He is wearing, the garments of righteousness.

I won’t try to make a long list of what these Christlike attributes are. President Nelson has challenged us all to do this as we study the scriptures. I know as missionaries you studied several of them extensively in Preach My Gospel. As we make it our lifelong mission to learn of Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost will help us identify and implement these principles in our lives.

I testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of Righteousness. This means another name for our Heavenly Father is Righteousness. This is what we are commanded to become in our eternal progression and journey back home. Our endowment (gift) from our Heavenly Father is this sacred sanctifying power that will see us through, and back into His presence of we only seek to choose it. We are so very proud of you for choosing to make Temple worship a clear priority in your lives. Mama and I literally marvel at your goodness. We feel so very blessed!

I love each of you so much! It boggles my mind to know that He can love you more than mama and I do. But He does! Keep up the good fight!

Invitation -

Make a list of these principles of Righteousness somewhere in your scriptures or journal, then scripturally seek to define them. Listen with ears to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost teaching you ways to implement them more fully in your lives. Here are two I am studying and striving to implement more fully in my life.

Meekness - willingness to submit to Gospel truths and standards - “Letting God Prevail”

Lowliness of Heart - Showing Humility, willing to repent daily. Not thinking ourselves better than Remember that these are gifts from our Heavenly Father and we can and should pray for them. “Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing …”(D&C 19:38)