Bible Covenants

Explanation of the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants, emphasizing how they fit together in God’s long-term plan of salvation.
⸻ 1. Abrahamic Covenant (Everlasting & Central)
From an LDS perspective, the Abrahamic Covenant is the foundational, everlasting covenant that undergirds all others. What God Promised Abraham God made sacred promises to Abraham that included: 1. Posterity Abraham would have countless descendants—both literal and spiritual. 2. Land (Inheritance) His descendants would inherit a promised land (Canaan), symbolizing eternal inheritance. 3. Priesthood Abraham received the priesthood, and it would continue through his lineage. 4. Blessings to All Nations Through Abraham’s seed, all the families of the earth would be blessed—fulfilled ultimately through Jesus Christ and the spreading of the gospel.
LDS Emphasis • LDS members believe they are adopted into the house of Israel through baptism and temple covenants. • Patriarchal blessings declare lineage in Israel, tying individuals personally to this covenant. • The Abrahamic covenant continues today through temple ordinances, eternal families, and missionary work.
📖 Key LDS scriptures: • Genesis 12, 15, 17 • Abraham 2 (Pearl of Great Price) • Book of Mormon (e.g., 1 Nephi 15)
⸻ 2. Mosaic Covenant (Preparatory & Conditional)
The Mosaic Covenant was given to Israel after the Abrahamic Covenant, through Moses.
What It Included • The Law of Moses: commandments, rituals, sacrifices, and strict observances • Conditional promises: blessings for obedience, consequences for disobedience • National covenant: governed Israel as a people
LDS Understanding • The Mosaic Covenant was temporary and preparatory, designed to: • Teach obedience • Point Israel toward Christ through symbols and sacrifices • It did not replace the Abrahamic Covenant; it was added to help Israel live it. • With Christ’s atonement, the Law of Moses was fulfilled, and believers returned to the higher law of the gospel.
📖 LDS scripture emphasis: • Mosiah 13–16 (Book of Mormon) • Alma 25:15 • 3 Nephi 15 (Christ declares the law fulfilled)
⸻ 3. Davidic Covenant (Kingship & Messianic Promise)
The Davidic Covenant concerns God’s promises to King David regarding Israel’s throne.
What God Promised David • His lineage would continue • His kingdom would be established • A future eternal King would come from his line
LDS Perspective • The covenant is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, not in perpetual earthly kingship. • Christ is the rightful heir to David’s throne—King of Kings. • Earthly kingship failed when Israel disobeyed, but the messianic promise remained intact.
📖 LDS focus: • 2 Samuel 7 • Isaiah 9:6–7 • Luke 1:32–33 • Book of Mormon prophecies of Christ as the eternal king

Old Testament Overview

Come to know God and Jesus Christ in the Old Testament through the guide of the Holy Ghost

2 Corinthians 5:17 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. John 16:13 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 14:26 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. As we study the Old Testament with the spirit of the Holy Ghost to guide us in truth and teach all things, we can become new creatures in Christ. Draw near unto him and He will draw near unto you. Pray that the Spirit will guide you to find and focus on passages, stories, and prophecies that will bring you closer to Jesus Christ. CHAPTER 53 Isaiah speaks about the Messiah—His humiliation and sufferings are described—He makes His soul an offering for sin and makes intercession for the transgressors—Compare Mosiah 14. 1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 ¶ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. President M. Russell Ballard said: “It is not by chance or coincidence that we have the Bible today. Righteous individuals were prompted by the Spirit to record both the sacred things they saw and the inspired words they heard and spoke. Other devoted people were prompted to protect and preserve these records” As you study, pray that you will receive a message that will guide you or someone you love to bring you closer to Christ.