Born Under The Covenant? What Blessings Do You Get?

[Duncan]

I hear sometimes that when a child is born under the covenant they will get blessings, I wonder what kind of blessings do they get? I just wonder what they get that others don't get that weren't born under the covenant or who weren't later sealed to their parents. Like my Mum wasn't born under under the covenant but was later sealed to her parents whereas I was born under the covenant, what do I get that my Mum didn't get?

Edited May 4, 2014 by Duncan

[Rivers]

The word "blessings" is a very vague term in mormon discourse.

Edited May 4, 2014 by Rivers

[Duncan]

The term "blessings" is a very vague term in mormon discourse.

 

 

when I think of blessings I think either free stuff or if you do A then you'll get B

[CV75]

I hear sometimes that when a child is born under the covenant they will get blessings, I wonder what kind of blessings do they get? I just wonder what they get that others don't get that weren't born under the covenant or who weren't later sealed to their parents. Like my Mum wasn't born under under the covenant but was later sealed to her parents whereas I was born under the covenant, what do I get that my Mum didn't get?

I think they are the same blessings as any convert, and no blessing will be withheld from the faithful in the long run, but aside from that, being born in the covenant fulfills the blessing of Abraham for the generations so linked and for the world to see as a testament to that. It is the knowledge of being part of a sign that the Second Coming is that much closer, and that the advancing kingdom is providing that much more opportunity to serve in those activities that are precisely designed to prepare for the Lord's Second Coming. It is also a blessing to build upon the righteousness of ancestors living the Gospel traditions, both in actual accomplishment and as a means to develop the kind of gratitude President Uchtdorf spoke of in the last General Conference.

[rodheadlee]

You get the blessing of being raised in a home with no smokers or drinkers. I've kicked a few addictions but cigarettes are killing me. My wife's family had Bloody Marys with breakfast, beer or wine with lunch and cocktails with dinner. For some folks alcohol is tough to handle. Then there is the chastity thing, It wasn't a problem in either of our families but there are many broken families due to adultery. There are many blessings being BIC if you think about it.

[Rivers]

I often hear the teaching that being born in the covenant(or sealing to parents for those who are not) helps people to be somehow drawn back into the fold.  I am not sure how this would work without affecting agency.

[Stargazer]

In my understanding, being born in the covenant is no more and no less than being sealed to one's parents at the time of birth, so there's no need to do it later in the temple. 

[mfbukowski]

You get the blessing of being raised in a home with no smokers or drinkers. I've kicked a few addictions but cigarettes are killing me. My wife's family had Bloody Marys with breakfast, beer or wine with lunch and cocktails with dinner. For some folks alcohol is tough to handle. Then there is the chastity thing, It wasn't a problem in either of our families but there are many broken families due to adultery. There are many blessings being BIC if you think about it.

I agree especially with that last part.  I had respiratory problems every single winter and never figured out why until I realized later that I had been cooped up with two chain smokers for 6 months a year with all the windows closed.  I love my parents - they did the best they knew how to do, but there was so much they never had the opportunity to understand.

 

When BIC you are raised by parents with the proper values from the very beginning, and who, in my opinion, are living the best path available to reach humanity's fullest happiness and full potential. That is about the best blessing one can have as a child.  No one's perfect but they have a head start at least on getting it right.

 

I honestly think that's why there are so few converts among Apostles, and many of the families of General Authorities are inter linked.  I am convinced that Apostles are raised in very special families.

 

Ultimately it is the best lifestyle available to raise wonderful kids.

 

Edited May 4, 2014 by mfbukowski

[readstoomuch]

I do believe it is the best lifestyle to raise children. Even when our kids don't turn out perfect, I think we know we did the best we could.

[drums12]

“The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal , to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.

Who are these straying sheep—these wayward sons and daughters? They are children of the Covenant, heirs to the promises, and have received, if baptized, the gift of the Holy Ghost, which makes manifest the things of God. Could all that go for naught?” Orson F. Whitney, Conference Report, April 1929, Third Day—Morning Meeting, Page 110

[Duncan]

“The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal , to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.

Who are these straying sheep—these wayward sons and daughters? They are children of the Covenant, heirs to the promises, and have received, if baptized, the gift of the Holy Ghost, which makes manifest the things of God. Could all that go for naught?” Orson F. Whitney, Conference Report, April 1929, Third Day—Morning Meeting, Page 110

 

 

that quotation is comforting but it implies that kids can go inactive, eat drink and be merry and as long as they are beaten with a few stripes then they are saved with no repentance necessary

[Tacenda]

I agree especially with that last part. I had respiratory problems every single winter and never figured out why until I realized later that I had been cooped up with two chain smokers for 6 months a year with all the windows closed. I love my parents - they did the best they knew how to do, but there was so much they never had the opportunity to understand.

When BIC you are raised by parents with the proper values from the very beginning, and who, in my opinion, are living the best path available to reach humanity's fullest happiness and full potential. That is about the best blessing one can have as a child. No one's perfect but they have a head start at least on getting it right.

I honestly think that's why there are so few converts among Apostles, and many of the families of General Authorities are inter linked. I am convinced that Apostles are raised in very special families.

Ultimately it is the best lifestyle available to raise wonderful kids.

Just because your parents smoked doesn't mean they aren't good parents, but I don't need to tell you that.

There are LDS parents that try so hard to look like they have it together that it's more harmful than the cigarettes, psychologically. You just might have seen only your end of it, I'd set your parents aside those BIC, and show you that they probably did a lot of good you're not seeing.

I know some BIC parents that are abusive in a lot of ways. They have to keep up an image, or a lifestyle of perfection. They take it too far, they take some talks about becoming perfect to the extreme. It creates a sick environment, count yourself lucky you didn't have to live with that.

I'm not lumping all BIC parents in this category though.

Edited May 4, 2014 by Tacenda

[JLHPROF]

that quotation is comforting but it implies that kids can go inactive, eat drink and be merry and as long as they are beaten with a few stripes then they are saved with no repentance necessary

 

Not exactly.  What it teaches is that there is a covenant in place, and like ALL covenants, eventually it will have to be fulfilled.  If a child is led astray by the world they are still bound by covenant to the parent.  That means something in the eternities when the leading astray will cease.

I have heard many members express dislike for this teaching of Joseph, but I personally find it to make a lot of sense, especially when it refers to parents who've received higher ordinances/calling and election.

 

We really have to get over the idea that the gospel is a reward/punishment system.  "I did good so I go to heaven.  They did bad so they don't get to."

It is really not what the scriptures teach.

Edited May 4, 2014 by JLHPROF

[Thinking]

We really have to get over the idea that the gospel is a reward/punishment system.  "I did good so I go to heaven.  They did bad so they don't get to."

It is really not what the scriptures teach.

 

If this is true, then the Church needs to stop teaching such concepts.

 

But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. Link

 

By the way, Elder Cook was quoting scripture (D&C 59:23).

[CV75]

that quotation is comforting but it implies that kids can go inactive, eat drink and be merry and as long as they are beaten with a few stripes then they are saved with no repentance necessary

 

If a child is led astray by the world they are still bound by covenant to the parent.  That means something in the eternities when the leading astray will cease.

I don't think being bound by covenant is necessarily the same as keeping it. God of course invariably keeps His part, but that is no guarantee that we will keep ours, whether we are born into a covenant or take it upon ourselves. The middle part of this talk gets into that in some detail: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/dear-are-the-sheep-that-have-wandered?lang=eng

 

The advantages of being born in the covenant are not that any requirement for exaltation is waived, or that some kind of mercy, grace or special dispensation overrides the agency of the rebellious. Instead they are the blessings of environment, opportunity and family involvement from across the veil, and even though these things are met with an equal measure of opposition in this world, they are nonetheless great blessings for the appreciative soul.

[CV75]

If this is true, then the Church needs to stop teaching such concepts.

 

By the way, Elder Cook was quoting scripture (D&C 59:23).

Agreed--in addition, Elder Cook was speaking of personal peace, and though exaltation is familial, people must "do the works of righteousness" individually and unitedly. The latter is where being born in the covenant is a blessing to both parent and child.

[drums12]

that quotation is comforting but it implies that kids can go inactive, eat drink and be merry and as long as they are beaten with a few stripes then they are saved with no repentance necessary

I don't think that's what it means.  In fact, it specifically says they will "tread a thorny path" and "pay their debt to justice."  This implies repentance to me.  Also, I don't think it means exaltation.  IIRC, Joseph Fielding Smith believed it could mean salvation with one's parents in the celestial kingdom, but not exaltation. 

[The Nehor]

The word "blessings" is a very vague term in mormon discourse.

 

It is more correct to say it is a very inclusive term.

[Bikeemikey]

Super-sonic hearing...

And a life long capacity to feel guilty when in the same room as alcoholic beverages.

[The Nehor]

Super-sonic hearing...

And a life long capacity to feel guilty when in the same room as alcoholic beverages.

 

I got neither.......should I find out if my parents lied about getting sealed?

[Bikeemikey]

I got neither.......should I find out if my parents lied about getting sealed?

No need to ask... You are 100% a pre-sealing conception