Chapter 5

What is significant about covenants?  Why does King Benjamin make such a big deal about it?  And what about the new name that is given when entering into a covenant with God?

Let’s step back to our premortal life.  We first existed as “Intelligences.”  This is the part of us that has always existed. 

From Intelligences we were born as Spirits to Heavenly Parents.  Surely they gave us names.  We don’t remember our names but we know we were—and are today—children of God, meaning the Father.

When we came to Earth we received new parents and new names.

Then we matured and became accountable for our actions.  We were ready for a major change in our existence.  We were ready for the covenant of baptism.  When we were baptized we received a new name:  Jesus Christ.  We became his sons and his daughters.  This is the same covenant that King Benjamin’s people were renewing.  King Benjamin emphasizes that we become the Children of Christ.  He becomes our new father.  We now have three fathers: Heavenly Father, our mortal parents, and Christ as the father our rebirth.

As we progress in our journey we will receive more covenants and more new names.  Each layer of covenants is like a new layer of an eternal quilt that covers us and protects us until we return to our Father in Heaven.