This presentation was made during a Relief Society birthday celebration on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. Debbie Hoehne composed the narration and with the help of Craig Willey created the video entitled, Keepers of the Covenant, which is linked below. To learn more about Relief Society, click here.
Centerville 8th Ward Relief Society Sisters – Keepers of the Covenants
Sisterhood – Keepers of the Covenants
Written by Debbie Hoehne
In any given day, one could easily stand in awe at the comings and goings of women. It is quite a marvelous thing actually, to contemplate all that goes on in their lives – 
the women in this room, women in our family – our friends, our neighbors, our sisters.
In any given day, women are in motion, sometimes before the sun begins its day.
Rocking a baby, getting dressed for work, tying the laces of running shoes for an early morning jog before the children wake up, warming the car up to attend the temple for the 5:30 a.m. session, weeding the flower garden before the heat of the sun, reading scriptures, and kneeling in prayer – all in preparation for the day ahead.
Soon, for many, children are by her side and the energy and focus now shifts to others. Preparation for breakfast begins: combing her children’s hair for school, making sandwiches for lunch, helping with last minute homework assignments, feeding the dog, and looking for shoes and car keys – sometimes all in a 30 minute time frame.
For some, the day involves traffic to and from work, pressures of co-workers and deadlines in addition to life on the home front.
For some it involves a lot of alone time as children have grown. Perhaps a husband has passed on. The rooms in the house are filled with memories and silence. Books are read, letters written, and memories of “what life was” often compete with life “as it is now”.
For some, many of life’s challenges and pleasures are experienced as just one – sharing, however, important moments and special times with family and friends.
For some it involves the newness of being a young adult woman, with the unknown of school, relationships, and future plans.
Our roles are many, responsibilities great, demands are intense at times. Life is challenging and trials threaten our yearning for peace, tranquility, and “the happy ever afters.”
The diversity of women and their many different situations are all around us, which is a good thing. There is, however, a common thread intertwined amongst this variety of women, and that would be sisterhood – that which connects the diversity of souls into a bond, a relationship, a friendship. A sisterhood which creates a powerful force of goodness, of decency, of charity, of love.
Yes, there are struggles, loneliness, and sadness amongst woman – thus the importance of sisterhood. For it is from one another that we find friends and that we become friends; it is from one another that we find support, and that we offer support; it is from one another that we find comfort and that we give comfort.
Gratefully, we are surrounded by women who provide examples of humor, enthusiasm and enjoyment for life. Relationships are developed and friendships are strengthened and through our involvement one with another our steps are lightened and our perspective of life is broadened.
In any given day, in any given moment, there is a heart in need and, a hand outstretched to meet that need. Acts of compassion and charity are offered – not because of an assignment
or a church responsibility, but because of love and compassion, those inherent gifts from within, given to us in order to help and assist and grow.
The older hands of experience provide great examples to the younger hands, developing respect and admiration between the two as testimonies grow and love is shared… a sisterhood develops.
Heartbreaks and discouragement, as well as successes and happy times, are shared from one heart to another. How? A note, a phone call, a visit in the home.
You are women in motion – here in this room. Meeting needs, providing friendship and support, showing love and kindness – to family, friends, even total strangers – and by doing so, you are building the bonds of sisterhood and, you are keepers of the covenants.
A keeper of the covenants follows the admonition in the scriptures, “to bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” (Mosiah 18:9)
As our hands are outstretched to those in need, we are then following the will of our Heavenly Father and as we do so, we become a keeper of the covenants.
At baptism, a covenant was made, a promise with God, to serve and keep his commandments. Our conversion to Christ opened the door for us to become a keeper of covenants in his holy name. To remember him in all we do, to let our actions exemplify our devotion and love for Him. As we do this, a promise is fulfilled – His Spirit is poured out upon us. As we continue to help lighten the burden of others – to be keepers of the covenants – we then become more like our Savior.
As we remember our covenants with God, He will enlighten our minds to the holiness of His work and our purpose in His kingdom. Reflecting often on this covenant will remind us of the great love that He has for us. Our hearts will be touched in remembrance of the great sacrifice that was made for the sake of all mankind.
And the burdens of life? What happens to them as we become the keeper of the covenants?
A relationship between you and your Heavenly Father is strengthened.
The whispering of His spirit is more fully heard and understood thus, answers to challenges are made more readily present to your heart and mind, courage for trials and challenges is developed and increased, others are led to you to give aid and support, hearts are softened and lives are changed.
As a keeper of the covenants, those things which will bring “true happiness” will be identified. Children will thrive in homes of love and righteousness as their spiritual, as well as physical needs, are met.
Keepers of the covenants create eternal families.
Easier said than done, yes. Sometimes we may feel unequal to the task. Sometimes progress is hindered as we become discouraged. Sometimes we compare ourselves to others and we become very unkind to ourselves. Sometimes the remembrance of covenants is lost for a little while, waiting to be reborn into our hearts and lives again.
That’s why sisterhood is so important – we need each other.
And, that’s where we are very blessed and fortunate. We are surrounded by keepers of the covenants. 
Women in action – in our homes, the workplace, and our neighborhood – what a blessing! And the richness of this blessing is truly enhanced by our spiritual connection – a connection like family which stretches far beyond the walls of homes and last names.
As the thoughts, abilities, and talents of one woman combine with another and yet another, the culmination of these strengths bond us together to create something… inspiring, influential and spiritual. These abilities used with the guiding inspiration from our Heavenly Father have changed lives, given hope and comfort, provided joy and enlightenment, and testified of truth and salvation.
Am I painting an unrealistic picture? I don’t think so – not as I look out over this room and see the strength of women – the keepers of the covenants. Perfection? No, none of us are there yet. We have some work to do. And as we strive to progress, obstacles will be thrown in our path. We may stumble and fall, but the strength of God is always within our grasp.
Together we must unite in faith and prayer, learn to recognize more fully who we are. We are children of God striving to see our divine destiny. As women of God, we must seek His way and strive to be keepers of the covenants that we have made with Him. As we embrace these covenants, we become women of truth – women of humility of heart – we will recognize the great blessing in serving the Lord.
May we know who we are and why we are here. Our purpose in life is divine and as we love the Lord and seek His way – embracing the covenants of life and reaching out to the hearts and lives of others – there is joy to be found, as sisters, as Keepers of the Covenants, and as Women of God.
