Covenant Path
The phrase “covenant path” has been attributed to Russell M. Nelson for its repeated use by leaders of the Church since he was sustained as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As early as January 16, 2018, during a live broadcast from the annex of the Salt Lake Temple, he said, “Now, to each member of the Church I say, keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere.”[1]
However, President Nelson spoke of the covenant path prior to his sustaining as President of the Church. (See, for example, October 2015 General Conference, “A Plea to My Sisters”)
Past Church leaders have given general conference talks on the concept of walking a covenant path, like Rosemary M. Wixom (in 2014, for example) and Linda K. Burton (in 2013). Elder D. Todd Christofferson spoke of it in April 2009 General Conference and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke to missionaries in a satellite broadcast in 1997 on the subject. Many others could be listed.
According to President Dallin H. Oaks, the covenant path can also be called the plan of salvation.[2]
To understand the covenant path requires understanding the covenants made as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. A covenant is an agreement between persons, in this case between God, who sets the terms of the covenant, and His children, who accept those terms.[3] Walking on the covenant path means keeping covenants throughout life, imagining life as a journey back to God and progressing toward eternal life with Him.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ are baptized, receive the Holy Ghost through confirmation, are endowed with power in the temple, and are sealed in marriage in the temple; all priesthood ordinances. Men are also ordained to offices in the priesthood. These are metaphorically steps on the covenant path.
In April 2022, President Nelson spoke of spiritual momentum and talked about five actions that would help maintain positive spiritual momentum. The first is “Get on the covenant path and stay there.”
- Not long ago, I had a vivid dream in which I met a large group of people. They asked me many questions, the most frequent of which was about the covenant path and why it is so important.
- In my dream, I explained that we enter the covenant path by being baptized and making our first covenant with God. Each time we partake of the sacrament, we promise again to take the name of the Savior upon us, to remember Him, and to keep His commandments. In return, God assures us that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us.
- Later we make additional covenants in the temple, where we receive even greater promises. Ordinances and covenants give us access to godly power. The covenant path is the only path that leads to exaltation and eternal life.[4]
His four other actions are “Discover the joy of daily repentance,” “Learn about God and how He works,” “Seek and expect miracles,” and “End conflict in your personal life.”[5]
“It’s important to remember that it’s a path, not a race! Not everyone will reach these sacred milestones at the same time. Some people may reach certain milestones after this life.
“As you continue your life’s journey today, remember that Jesus Christ is walking with you. He loves you! We do not walk this path alone.”[6]
A Sampling of Additional Talks about the Covenant Path
- April 2024 General Conference, “Covenants and Responsibilities,” by President Dallin H. Oaks
- April 2024 General Conference, “All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants,” by President Henry B. Eyring
- October 2023 General Conference, “Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ,” by Emily Belle Freeman
- April 2023 General Conference, “Accessing God’s Power through Covenants,” by Elder Dale G. Renlund
- October 2022 General Conference, “Wholehearted,” by Michelle D. Craig
- October 2022 General Conference, “Are You Still Willing?” by Elder Kevin W. Pearson
- April 2022 General Conference, “But We Heeded Them Not,” by Elder David A. Bednar
- April 2022 General Conference, “The Covenant Path: The Way to Eternal Life,” by Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran
- April 2021 General Conference, “Why the Covenant Path,” by Elder D. Todd Christofferson
- October 2020 General Conference, “Recommended to the Lord,” by Elder Ronald A. Rasband
- October 2020 General Conference, "Let God Prevail," by President Russell M. Nelson
- October 2020 General Conference, “Deep in Our Heart,” by Douglas D. Holmes
- October 2019 General Conference, “Covenant Belonging,” by Elder Gerrit W. Gong
