Claudia G. enriched us today by asking the question, "Do I Savor the Sacred Things of the Lord?"
She began by asking us, "What is sacred to you?" The repsonses included: My covenants, temple garments, the spot where I pray, family and time with them, children, relationship with the Lord, testimony, scriptures, life, word of the Lordd, honoring the priesthood, sabbath day, tithing.
Savor comes from Latin sapere which means to know, to taste or smell, or come to know. Think about how you savor food. Can we relate that to spiritual savoring. Claudia talked about how anciently a meal itself was sacred and often you had to rely on the Lord for that meal. Additionally, in the middle east if you broke bread with your neighbor you made a covenant that you would protect their land. Likewise, our covenants empower us and give us protection from evil.
To help us think about our covenants, Claudia shared quotes from two talks: "The Power of Convenants" by Elder Todd Christofferson, and "Cleave unto the Covenants" by Barbara Thompson.
"Lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.”1 I cannot read this scripture without feeling joy. My heart rejoices as I think of the promises and many blessings which have been part of my life as I have sought to cleave unto the covenants which I have made with my Heavenly Father." - Barbara Thompson
Claudia asked up to consider, "How can savoring my covenants bring power into my life?"
"What is it about making and keeping covenants with God that gives us the power to smile through hardships, to convert tribulation into triumph, to “be anxiously engaged in a good cause, … and bring to pass much righteousness” (D&C 58:27)?" - Elder Todd Christofferson
"In the covenant path we find a steady supply of gifts and help. “Charity never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8; Moroni 7:46), love begets love, compassion begets compassion, virtue begets virtue, commitment begets loyalty, and service begets joy. We are part of a covenant people, a community of Saints who encourage, sustain, and minister to one another. As Nephi explained, “And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them” (1 Nephi 17:3). 2 " - Elder Todd Christofferson
One sister has found power in the fact that others recognize her example in the workplace and elsewhere. Another sister mentioned the difference between a covenant and a contract. A covenant is based on love not adversary.
How can we savor our covenants?
Take the time to recognize the blessings from our covenants. Writing in our journal and reviewing those entries, can help us to recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives. Share with others and teach others how to obtain them. Become a community of covenant people through service and inviting people in need to become part of our family. Carve out time to have one on one time with the Lord. Read scriptures right when you wake up. It is easy to do more when you do just a little. The same can be said for prayer. When you put the Lord first he will put your first and bless you.
Pondering can be equated to savoring and when you ponder the scriptures or covenants and when we pray always, then things can pop into your mind in the middle of the day. It is a vehicle for revelation. For some this is in the quiet hours first thing in the morning. The answers come when we ask the questions. The questions enrich our study.
When we savor food we savor all aspects including the visual, smell and taste. We don't just think about the main taste, but savor the nuances, beauty and contrasts. We need to make our pondering just as rich and full.
When we feast upon the words of Christ remember not to close the scriptures and go away hungry. We can receive more if we never leave spiritually hungry. Another sister mentioned that her patriarchal blessing is another strength.
"I testify that in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is found the priesthood authority to administer the ordinances by which we can enter into binding covenants with our Heavenly Father in the name of His Holy Son. I testify that God will keep His promises to you as you honor your covenants with Him. He will bless you in “good measure, pressed down, … shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38). He will strengthen and finish your faith. He will, by His Holy Spirit, fill you with godly power. I pray that you will always have His Spirit to be with you to guide you and deliver you from want, anxiety, and distress. I pray that through your covenants, you may become a powerful instrument for good in the hands of Him who is our Lord and Redeemer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." - Elder Todd Christofferson
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