In Doctrine and Covenants 81-83 the Lord reiterates a command to care for the poor and needy among the church. With this (and every commandment) he also gives a promise. We can learn in these sections about the nature of covenants and callings and the promises from God when we are faithful to the end.
Segment 1
Scriptures:
D&C 82:9-10,16 (Covenant language)
Philippians 1:19 (Turn our prayer into salvation through Christ)
D&C 81:3 (Pray always)
Words of the General Authorities:
We must remember: it’s not the course alone that will exalt us; it’s the companion—our Savior. And this is the why of covenant relationship. (Emily Belle Freeman, “Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ”, October 2023 General Conference)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
D&C 81:1-2 (The organization of the high priesthood)
D&C 81:5-6 (Faithful in your calling)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
D&C 82:10 (The Lord is bound when we obey)
D&C 81:3-5 (Do the greatest good)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
D&C 81:6 (Crown of immortality)
Quotes:
Those who gain exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world shall wear crowns. Perhaps literal crowns may be worn on occasion — emblematic of their victory over the world and signifying that they rule and reign as kings and queens in the eternal house of Israel. But at all times they will be "crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life." (D. & C. 75:5.)
In the gospel sense, a crown is the sign and symbol of eternal exaltation and dominion, of godhood in the kingdom of God. Our Lord has been seen in vision wearing "a golden crown" (Rev. 14:14; 6:2; 19:12), and those surrounding the throne of Deity have been seen similarly identified. (Rev. 4:4, 10.) Paul speaks of such persons as having "an incorruptible" crown (1 Cor. 9:25) and as inheriting "a crown of righteousness" (2 Tim. 4:8); James says they "shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (Jas. 1:12); John records a similar affirmation (Rev. 2:10); and Peter speaks of receiving "a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Pet. 5:4.) The crowns so spoken of are crowns of eternal life (D. & C. 66:12) (Monte S Nyman, “Most Correct Book,” Deseret Book, 1991)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
D&C 82:1-7 (Forgive and be forgiven)
D&C 82:3 (Much is required)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
D&C 82:10 (Follow the commandments)
Words of the General Authorities:
Once we make a covenant with God, we leave neutral ground forever. God will not abandon His relationship with those who have forged such a bond with Him. In fact, all those who have made a covenant with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy…Once you and I have made a covenant with God, our relationship with Him becomes much closer than before our covenant. Now we are bound together. Because of our covenant with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust His merciful patience with us. Each of us has a special place in God’s heart. He has high hopes for us. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant”, October 2022 Liahona)
God will indeed honor His covenants and promises to each of us. We need not worry about that. The atoning power of Jesus Christ—who descended below all things and then ascended on high and who possesses all power in heaven and in earth—ensures that God can and will fulfill His promises. It is essential that we honor and obey His laws, but not every blessing predicated on obedience to law is shaped, designed, and timed according to our expectations. We do our best but must leave to Him the management of blessings, both temporal and spiritual. (D. Todd Christofferson, “Our Relationship with God”, April 2022 General Conference)
View transcript here.