Blessed Through the Covenant

1 Nephi 15:18 - "Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days; which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed."

President Russell M. Nelson - "You are one of God’s noble and great spirits, held in reserve to come to earth at this time. In your premortal life you were appointed to help prepare the world for the great gathering of souls that will precede the Lord’s second coming. You are one of a covenant people. You are an heir to the promise that all the earth will be blessed by the seed of Abraham and that God’s covenant with Abraham will be fulfilled through his lineage in these latter days.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson - "Similarly, the joy 'set before us' is the joy of assisting the Savior in His work of redemption. As the seed and children of Abraham, we participate in blessing all the families of the earth" 

Seek this Jesus - A Book of Mormon Daily Podcast invites you to discover the joy and guidance that comes from studying the Book of Mormon everyday. This podcast would hope to just be a supplement to your studies. 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:12

Welcome to Speak this Peace. A daily podcast dedicated to drawing closer to the Savior through the powerful truths found in the Book of Mormon. Each episode, we focus on one verse that helps us walk more faithfully in his footsteps. As Nephi continues explaining his father's vision, he helps us see that God's promises were never meant to bless just one family or one generation. They were designed to reach the entire world, especially in the latter days. Today's verse places us directly inside that unfolding covenant first Nephi chapter fifteen eighteen. Wherefore, our Father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days, which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. One of the most important clarifications Nephi makes is that the vision Lehi received was never just about their immediate descendants. It was about all the house of Israel, and ultimately all the families of the earth. That matters because it corrects a narrow view of God's covenant. From the beginning the covenant God made with Abraham was expansive. It was not designed to elevate one group above others, but to create a channel through which God could bless everyone. The phrase in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed tells us that God's work has always been outward facing. This helps us understand why the Book of Mormon repeatedly emphasizes the latter days. The fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant is not confined to ancient history. It accelerates in our day. Nephi is teaching that the scattering and gathering of Israel are part of a divine strategy to bring Christ to the world. This means covenant membership is not about privilege, it is about responsibility. God does not gather Israel merely to save Israel. He gathers Israel so Israel can help him bless the world. President Russell M. Nelson powerfully connects this ancient promise to us personally.

SPEAKER_01 2:54

You are one of God's noble and great spirits held and reserved to come to earth at this time. In your premortal life, you were appointed to help prepare the world for the great gathering of souls that will precede the Lord's second coming. You are one of a covenant people. You are an heir to the promise that all the earth will be blessed by the seed of Abraham, and that God's covenant with Abraham will be fulfilled through his lineage in these latter days.

SPEAKER_00 3:31

According to President Nelson, our covenant identity did not begin at baptism or in the temple. It began before mortality. We were prepared, reserved, and appointed for a specific season in God's work. Notice what President Nelson emphasizes. Not just who we are, but what we were appointed to do. We are here to help prepare the world for the gathering of souls. That gathering is the fulfillment of the covenant Nephi describes in 1 Nephi 15 18. This adds urgency and meaning to our everyday discipleship. Our faithfulness is not random. Our opportunities are not accidental. We live in a moment when God's ancient promises are actively unfolding, and we've been invited to participate. President D. Tod Christofferson helps us understand what participation in that covenant looks like in practice.

SPEAKER_02 4:39

Similarly, the joy set before us is the joy of assisting the Savior in his work of redemption. As the seed and children of Abraham, we participate in blessing all the families of the earth.

SPEAKER_00 4:53

This is a critical point. The joy of the covenant comes from assisting the Savior in His work of redemption. That means the Abrahamic covenant is not abstract theology, it is lived discipleship. Every time we help someone come closer to Christ, we are participating in the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. Every time we show Christ like love, teach truth, extend mercy, or strengthen faith, we help bless all of the kindreds of the earth. Importantly, this work is not limited to missionaries or leaders. It happens in homes, neighborhoods, callings, friendships, and quiet acts of faithfulness. The covenant moves forward as ordinary disciples choose to follow Christ consistently. The Savior's redemptive work is global, but it advances one soul at a time, often through us. So what does this mean for us personally? First, it means we see ourselves differently. We are not merely members of a church. We are covenant participants in God's redemptive work. Our choices matter because they affect more than just us. Secondly, it means we approach discipleship with purpose. Scripture study, prayer, covenant keeping, and services are not boxes to check, but they are ways we prepare ourselves to bless others more effectively. Third, it means we look outward. The covenant pushes us beyond spiritual comfort zones and invites us to notice who needs encouragement, who needs truth taught with love, and who needs to feel the Savior's compassion through our actions. Living the covenant means asking not only how am I being blessed, but also who is being blessed because of my faith. So here is today's challenge. Today, consciously act as a covenant disciple. Look for one opportunity, small or large, to assist the Savior in blessing someone else. Pray to see that opportunity clearly and then act on it. As we do this consistently, we step directly into the fulfillment of the covenant Nephi described. We become part of the promise that all the kindreds of the earth will be blessed through Abraham's seed, fulfilled in part through us. Thank you for listening to Seek This Jesus. I hope this message helps you draw a little closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ. Please, don't let this podcast be your only scripture time today. I encourage you to open your scriptures, because when you study God's word personally, the Spirit will teach you things no podcast ever could. I invite you to come back tomorrow for another verse and message to help you keep focused on Jesus Christ. Until next time, keep seeking this Jesus.