The “covenant path” phrase seems to have really initiated with “The Power of Covenants”
by Elder D. Todd Christofferson in 2009. Its use has increased exponentially since then.
To set the bar outright, only Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant.
Isaiah also prophecies according to how God views His relation with man, and this is done in various groups. As Avraham Gileadi’s concept goes, “Isaiah’s characterization of people reveals seven spiritual levels”; their relation to God differs in that sense.
There are two pairs of relationships in particular referring to God’s people:
1. Jacob/Israel; “depict a materialistic category of God’s people”; “liable to descend even lower—to Babylon, a category of oppressors and evildoers”
2. Zion/Jerusalem; “category of people who repent of evil, who prove faithful when God tests their loyalties. As they do so, God forgives their sins and acknowledges them as his covenant people.”
In the end, “God delivers only Zion/Jerusalem and levels higher.”
From Isaiah Explained:
To me, as great as Joseph Smith was, I don’t think he’s any of the servants prophesied in the end times. We can look to and thank D&C 113 for clarifying this, although he will no doubt have some part in the end times. So, really, Isaiah is not directly speaking of the church’s wickedness (at least not as it now stands), but of an actual church that descends in to total corruption, of which the LDS church is a shadow. This is just as apparent as Russia is not the Assyria prophesied to destroy the world—but merely a type (and perhaps China will play a greater role yet to come in this shadow). Those who see themselves in a covenant relationship with the Lord will inevitably find its need for renewal.[Prophets] established a spiritual heritage based on revelations from God, Creator of the heavens and the earth. Upon that foundation they built and expanded their understanding of God, of humanity, and of eternity.
Eventually, Elijah will unravel the confusion of what part people have with God, that it may all be summed up into God’s family. From Words of Joseph Smith:
Joseph. Translation of [Malachi] 4th-5 . 6 I will send Elijah the Prophet and he shall reveal the covenants of the Fathers to the children and of the Children to the Fathers that they may enter into Covenant with each other lest I come & smite the whole Earth with a curse—
Pres. J. Smith bore testimony to the same saying that when he was a youth he began to think about these things but could not find out which of all the sects were right he went into the grove & enquired of the Lord which of all the sects were right he received for answer that none of them were right, that they were all wrong, & that the Everlasting Covenant was broken (Isaiah 24:5;D&C 1:15)= = he said he under- stood the fulness of the Gospel from beginning to end—& could Teach it & also the order of the priesthood in all its ramifica- tions4^ =Earth & hell had opposed him & tryed to destroy him, but they had not done it= =& they never would.
Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ.
how shall god come to the rescue of this generation, he shall send Elijah law revealed to Moses in Horeb—never was revealed to the C. of Israel and he shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers.11— anointing & sealing—called elected and made sure12 without father &c.13 a priesthood which holds the priesthood by right from the Eternal Gods.—and not be descent from father and mother14
It’s also apparent that the LDS as a whole will not be saved, but only those who live according to the gospel.The election of the promised seed still continues, and in the last days, they shall have the priesthood restored unto them, and they shall be the "Saviors on mount Zion" the "ministers of our God," if it were not for the remnant which was left,then might we be as Sodom and as Gomorah.
The whole of the chapter had reference to the priesthood and the house of Israel; and unconditional election of individuals to eternal life was not taught by the apostles.
God did elect or predestinate, that all those who would be saved, should be saved in Christ Jesus, and through obedience to the gospel; but he passes over no man's sins, but visits them with correction, and if his children will not repent of their sins, he will discard them.
We know there is more scripture to come forth--currently sealed (29:11-12; 1NE14:26), more covenants that will be established (42:6; 49:8; 55:3), and even new servants identified yet to come forth leading up to the Millennium (D&C 113; root of Jesse and rod from the stem of Jesse regarding Isaiah 11); prophets/servants yet to come whom we ought not to reject. So, although we find ourselves as the covenant people of the Lord, we may find ourselves in a sobering scenario as the ancient Jews who found it very difficult to accept things outside their accepted dogma (new wine into old bottles). In the end, there will only be two churches. We will have the opportunity to prove ourselves. And our only hope, just as it was for the ancient Jews, is to be anchored in Christ and humble ourselves to the dust.
It’s my opinion and suppositions that this convergence from the latter days to the end times occurs upon the brink of full scale nuclear war, then [something will happen]—then will all churches and all people be in disarray. Authority will be lost to a greater extent and false prophets will arise with greater ease; so also will the true servants arise. What is left of the church will claim authority when there is none left to claim, and they will become more militant on the doctrine; it may be a fractured church by then. The church will yet be set in order.
I know this post is a little disorganized, but I wanted to cut down on a lot of the content I started out with. And I’m tired…
