‘O Youth of the Noble Birthright’ by Brother Bradley R. Wilcox

Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, spoke during the Sunday morning session of October 2024 general conference about the significance of covenant relationships. He described these relationships as a spiritual birthright for those who make and keep sacred covenants with God.

Brother Wilcox emphasized that through covenants, we receive divine guidance and strength, and we are able to draw closer to God. He explained that these covenant connections are key to realizing our divine potential and living a life filled with purpose and blessings.

He encouraged young men and all members to honor their covenants, as they are central to our relationship with God and vital to our eternal progress.

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In Old Testament times, the birthright son inherited his father’s estate. It was a great responsibility that came with great privileges.

Today, Church members have their own birthrights through covenants. “When we use our moral agency to make and keep covenants with God, we become heirs of the everlasting covenant God has made with our forebears in every dispensation. Said another way, we become ‘children of the covenant.’ That sets us apart. That gives us access to the same blessings our forefathers and foremothers received, including a birthright.”

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As covenant keepers strive to fulfill their birthrights, they receive extra peace and knowledge. “Your covenant relationship with God and Jesus Christ is a relationship of love and trust in which you have access to a greater measure of Their grace — Their divine assistance, endowment of strength and enabling power. That power is not just wishful thinking, a lucky charm or self-fulfilling prophecy. It is real.”

Additionally, covenant keepers are never alone as they labor with Jesus Christ. “I testify that you are loved and you are trusted. … Don’t sell your birthright for a mess of pottage. Don’t trade everything for nothing. Don’t let the world change you when you were born to change the world.”

 

Some quotes from Elder Brook P. Hales Talk

“When we use our moral agency to make and keep covenants with God, we become heirs of the everlasting covenant God has made with our forebears in every dispensation. Said another way, we become ‘children of the covenant.’ That sets us apart. That gives us access to the same blessings our forefathers and foremothers received, including a birthright.”

 

“Your covenant relationship with God and Jesus Christ is a relationship of love and trust in which you have access to a greater measure of Their grace — Their divine assistance, endowment of strength and enabling power. That power is not just wishful thinking, a lucky charm or self-fulfilling prophecy. It is real.”

 

“I testify that you are loved — and you are trusted — today, in 20 years and forever. Don’t sell your birthright for a mess of pottage. Don’t trade everything for nothing. Don’t let the world change you when you were born to change the world.”