This weekend, during the Relief Society worldwide devotional broadcast, Elder Dale G. Renlund shared a vulnerable story about finding faith in God’s covenant power while his wife, Ruth, underwent cancer treatment over 40 years ago.
“During Ruth’s first hospitalization, I felt crushed and found it difficult to pray,” Elder Renlund said. “It seemed as though my prayers weren’t reaching heaven.”
But the distance he felt from God shifted after Ruth offered a humble prayer one night. His wife’s words reminded him of the power of temple covenants, strengthening him to withstand their family’s trials and heartaches better. He explained:
“I’ll never forget the first words of her prayer. She said, ‘Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for priesthood power that makes it possible that no matter what happens, we can be together forever.’
“With her words, the barrier that I perceived between God and me opened widely. As Ruth’s prayer ascended to heaven, the doctrine of eternal families went from my head to my heart. Our concerns for our future decreased because we had made temple covenants and had been sealed in the house of the Lord. Power from God brought peace to our hearts.”
Elder Renlund compared Sister Renlund’s prayer to a teaching from President Russell M. Nelson: “When you reach up for the Lord’s power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours.”
“That’s how Ruth prayed, and that power came,” Elder Renlund said.
The Source of Covenantal Power
Just as divine power sustained Elder and Sister Renlund during this time, covenantal strength is available to all. “Wherever you are, this power is for you,” Elder Renlund said.
He taught that we receive “greater access to His power” as we “[make] and [keep] multiple covenants with God.”
“Of course, baptismal and temple covenants are not in and of themselves the source of power,” he clarified. “The Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father are the source of all covenantal power.”
The Apostle testified that when we pray about how to access this covenantal power, especially related to the temple endowment, we can receive personal revelation and strength.
“The endowment of power will help you heal if you’ve been wounded, shattered, or crushed in any way,” he said. “You can call on the powers of heaven to receive personal revelation and understand the doctrine of Christ.”
Watch Elder Renlund’s full message in the player below.
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