Institute Notes Recorded 11/11/26

Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah. He fights our battles and conquers our enemies. His mercy and love never end. Isaiah 53: 3-4 Sure covenantal language 3 Incline your ear, and unto me: hear, and you shall live; and I will make an everlasting with you, even the mercies of David. We are tied to Him by covenant. Like the ancient Scottish tradition of using a ribbon to bind hands together in a marriage ceremony. It’s a binding tie or connection. He wants a covenantal relationship with us. The elect accepted the priesthood in the pre-existence Pray to do the work of Christ, like Dad did. Powerful prayer. Make distant goal. Like Uncle Craig asking me about the Olympics and preparing for them in high school. The idea hadn’t even crossed my mind but it probably should have. When we are linked or connected through covenant, this holy relationship sets us apart. Holy means set apart. The priest in the ancient temple wore the phrase on his forehead, “holiness to the Lord.” Do I make my body a holy temple? Real intent. Matthew 17: 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Glory of the Lord as reward is like a re guard. He is watching out for me. My heart means loyalty, giving Him my heart. Isaiah 60 Light Do I pray to the father of lights? Healing can happen physically and spiritually. Covenant people will be a light and draw others to them. The Cleansing of America by Cleon Skousan Bruce R. McConkie The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel, according to the election of grace which was brought to pass by the faith and covenant of the fathers (D&C 84:98-102). This election of grace is a very fundamental, logical and important part of God’s dealings with them through the ages. To bring to pass the salvation of the greatest possible number of his spirit children, the Lord, in general, send the most righteous and worthy saints to earth through the lineage of Abraham and Jacob. This course is a manifestation of his grace or in other words his love, mercy and condescension toward his children. This election to a chosen lineage is based on pre-existent worthiness and is made according to the knowledge of God. Those so grouped during their mortal probation have more abundant opportunities to make and keep the covenants of salvation, a right which they earned by pre-existent devotion to the cause of righteousness.” Kerry Muhlstein God wants to deliver his people. Anyone who truly makes and keeps covenant become his people, and he will deliver them by sending servants who will manifest his power. Sadly, there will always be those who choose to follow the world rather than God. For them there is no deliverance, but God is patiently waiting for them if they change or return to him…” Elder Orson Pratt The Zion that is here spoken is called to arise and shine, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. There is no one thing more fully revealed in the scriptures of eternal truth, than the rise of the Zion of our God in the latter days, clothed upon with the glory of God form the heavens, a Zion that will attract the attention of all the nations and kindreds of the whole earth. It will not be something that takes place in a corner on some distant island of the sea, bore away among some obscure people; that it will be something that will call forth the attention of all people and nations upon the face of the whole earth. Elder Orson Pratt When the Lord, Jesus Christ returns to the earth in glory, the need will disappear for the sun and the moon to give light to God’s covenant people. The Lord himself will be an everlasting light. President Russel M. Nelson Meanwhile, here and now, we live in a time of turmoil. Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack…we have great cause for concern. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith. How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of finite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people…It is our charge, our privilege to help prepare the world for that day. McConkie and Ostler Anciently, a veil hung between two holy chambers of the tabernacle…at the time of Christ’s death the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). Christ by his sacrificial death, opened a way for the faithful to enter the holiest place. Meaning the Celestial Kingdom “through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:20) The present text, drawing on this imagery, suggests that the veil separating us from the presence of the Lord will be rent, and all will be able to see what otherwise would be hidden from them.” President Woodruff The priesthood of God, (those) who honor their priesthood and who are worthy of their blessings are the only ones who shall have this safety and protection. They are the only mortal beings. No other people have a right to be shielded from these judgments; They are at our very doors; not even this people will escape them entirely…and none but eh priesthood will be safe.” Jeremiah and Lamentations Heavenly Father wants them gathered with a covenantal connection. “Go, save my people.” Hebrew marriage commitment similarities with the sacrament. Scottish tradition of a ribbon binding me to you. This is similar to my binding to Jesus Christ. Skinner/Ogden Notice that the Lord refers to himself as Israel’s father, and Ephraim as his firstborn. This is important because it refers to the ordering of spirits, and families of spirit children in our premortal existence, with the tribe of Ephraim being given the obligation of leadership for the family of Israel…That the tribe of Ephraim remains the tribe of leadership for the family of Israel, as well as the guardians of the covenants and ordinances for the whole world until the Second Coming. Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from to , and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Dale G. Renlund By making and keeping temple covenants, we learn more about the Lord’s purposes and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost. We receive direction for our lives. We mature in our discipleship so that we do not remain perpetual, unknowing children. Rather we live with an eternal perspective and are more motivated to serve God and others. We receive increased capacity to fulfill our purposes in mortality. We are protected from evil and we gain greater power to resist temptation and to repent when we stumble. When we falter, the memory of our covenants with God helps us return to the path. By connecting to God’s power, we are able to go against the flow of the world, throughout our lives and into the eternities. Ultimately, our destinies are changed because the covenant path leads to exaltation and eternal life. Elder Jeremiah J. Morgan Covenants with God are filled with incalculable power. They do not bless just the maker of the covenant but are generational in their impact. We are all the intended beneficiaries of countless covenants. Like the great binding power of gravity that stretches across the universe, covenants with God stretch over all time and all space. If you or a loved one has wandered too far away that he love of God and His covenantal power cannot reach you…I say to you, you have not. As President Jeffrey R. Holland so beautifully said, “You have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love”. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines. The power and reach of that covenant is infinite and eternal. B.H. Roberts Orson Hyde had traveled 20,000 miles to fulfill a mission call for his beloved church. For the 1st time in 1800 years, the Apostle stood again on the Mount of Olives. The rebuilding of Jerusalem is regarded by Mormonism of as much importance as the establishment of Zion; the gathering of the dispersed of Judah…by the authority of his apostleship, he consecrated the land for the return of the House of Judah. Prayer creating light and counteracting darkness. Time in the temple, scriptures and prayer protect me from deception. Hearts were softened after exile. I choose to learn and internalize lessons or not. Dream- captives, masks to hide true identity. Eat, feast upon my words. “Would that I might not drink the bitter cup but I partook.” “Here am I. Send me.” A true friend encourages you to live God’s laws. Power within us to combat evil. 33:16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him.