Near the end of Nephi’s prophecy, he makes a profound clarification regarding God’s covenants. Many times, he has assured us that God will remember His covenants with the “seed of Abraham” and with the “house of Israel,” which implies that the literal descendants of those prophets will inherit the blessings promised to their ancestors. But now, he clarifies what it means to belong to that covenant:
As many of the Gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord; and as many of the Jews as will not repent shall be cast off; for the Lord covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent and believe in his Son, who is the Holy One of Israel.
2 Nephi 30:2
It sounds like belonging to the covenant is a choice, not an inherited privilege.
President Russell M. Nelson taught this same principle:
The gospel net to gather scattered Israel is expansive. There is room for each person who will fully embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each convert becomes one of God’s covenant children, whether by birth or by adoption. Each becomes a full heir to all that God has promised the faithful children of Israel!
“Let God Prevail,” General Conference, October 2020
Today, I will choose to be part of God’s covenant people by submitting my will to His. I will be grateful for the understanding that all of His children are invited to participate in His covenants and receive His blessings.
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