Podcast Summary: followHIM — Thoughts to Keep in Mind #2: The Covenant (with Dr. Ross Baron)

Episode Date: February 9, 2026
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Ross Baron (BYU Ancient Scripture professor)
Theme: Understanding the Abrahamic Covenant—its scope, blessings, obligations, and personal relevance for Latter-day Saints.

Episode Overview

This special "Thoughts to Keep in Mind" episode dives into the essential doctrine of the Covenant, especially the Abrahamic Covenant (“the New and Everlasting Covenant”). Dr. Ross Baron explains the covenant’s origins, its relevance throughout scripture, and how it shapes our daily lives and spiritual destinies. The discussion demystifies the topic for listeners of all ages, offering context, memorable examples, and actionable insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Origins of the Covenant

• The Abrahamic Covenant is not just a contract but a relationship of trust with God (03:27).
• The Covenant precedes Abraham—“It started in premortality as the Father’s plan. Jesus Christ is always its center.” (04:33–08:29)
• President Nelson's teaching: The Abrahamic Covenant and the New and Everlasting Covenant are essentially the same (02:02).

“[The] New and Everlasting Covenant was made between three personages before the organization of this earth… The idea of covenant and covenant relationship doesn’t start with Abraham.”
—Dr. Ross Baron (04:33)

2. Scope of the Abrahamic Covenant

• Not limited to the literal seed of Abraham; all can become heirs through acceptance and ordinances.
• The chosen people are “chosen” to bless everyone—not out of exclusion but universal inclusion (10:00–10:51).

“Because he loves everyone, he chooses certain people to bless everyone. …With those blessings come corresponding obligations or responsibilities.”
—Hank Smith (10:00)

3. Blessings and Obligations (11:00–15:17)

Blessings:

• Priesthood, ministry, gospel (including celestial marriage), posterity, and lands.

Obligations:

• Live the gospel
• Care for those in need
• Invite all to Christ
• Unite families for eternity

Baron links these to the modern church’s mission and vividly shows how Abraham exemplified each (21:18–25:18).

“If you do those obligations, those blessings stay full force. If you stop, you lose them—boom, you just understood the Old Testament.”
—Dr. Ross Baron (11:00)

4. Covenants as Relationship, Not Contract (03:27–04:33, 25:39–27:02)

• Covenants bind us in a living, ongoing relationship with God.
• Like marriage, this relationship is transformative and creates a unique, eternal tie (29:10–35:54).

“My relationship with my spouse is to teach me about my relationship with God, and my relationship with God is to teach me the right orientation towards my spouse.”
—Dr. Ross Baron (35:10)

5. Chosen to Serve, Not to Privilege (17:55–18:54; 52:42–55:12)

• “Chosen” means chosen for service and sacrifice, not status.
• The temple, gathering, and missionary work exist to bind and bless all God’s children (27:02–27:52).

“Chosen to wear out my life…so I have people on my shoulders as I bring them back to Jesus Christ.”
—Dr. Ross Baron (17:55)

6. Personal Application: Identity & Daily Living (20:26–21:17; 25:18–25:39)

• Elder Bednar: Fulfilling the covenant is not a reason for our mortal existence, it is the reason.
• The four obligations (Live, Care, Invite, Unite) are keys to spiritual power and joy.

“We are here to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham. That is who we are.”
—Hank Smith (20:26)

7. The Covenant Throughout the Scriptures (68:56–73:06)

• Begins in premortality, reaffirmed with Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and fully renewed through Joseph Smith in the Restoration.
• Every major plot arc in the Old Testament, Book of Mormon, and New Testament is traced through faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the covenant; blessings or scattering result accordingly.
• Key scriptural landmarks: Genesis 15 & 17, Abraham 1–2, D&C 132.

“The whole thing is about the covenant, the weaving in and out of. We’re keeping the covenant. God’s working with them to keep the covenant.”
—Dr. Ross Baron (70:39)

8. Symbolism: Marriage as Model for Divine Covenant (29:10–36:59)

• Marriage, with its exclusivity, loyalty, and transformative nature, models God’s relationship to Israel/humanity.
• Jesus, the Bridegroom; the Church, His bride—Isaiah 54, Hosea—are used as recurring scriptural symbols.
• Discussion clarifies misunderstood New Testament passages about marriage post-mortality (esp. Matthew 22, 36:59–41:56).

9. Inclusiveness & Gathering in the Last Days (45:28–46:46; 51:22–52:24)

• Restoration means the Abrahamic blessings are now available to all who will receive them.
• Scattering of Israel was ultimately a “fortunate scattering,” making the gospel accessible globally.
• The Abrahamic Covenant and its mission are ongoing, including into the Millennium and beyond.

10. Practical Encouragement for Youth: Being a “Peculiar People” (55:14–57:04)

• To make a difference, one must be different.
• Modern For the Strength of Youth guide helps youth connect standards to faith in Christ, building “sin-resistant souls.”

“You really can’t make a difference unless you’re different.”
—John Bytheway (55:45)

11. Sacrifice and Abrahamic Tests (64:05–66:42)

• Being “seed of Abraham” means being tested and stretched—“sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven.”
• Trials reveal if we truly desire God and growth.

“I don’t think it’s possible [to be Abraham's seed but avoid Abrahamic tests]…Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven.”
—Dr. Ross Baron (64:22)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Preexistence & the Covenant:
  “The covenant ultimately is that we are not stranded. We sustain this plan… there’s going to be a veil… but I will not leave you stranded. I am going to send Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the center of the everlasting covenant…” (04:33)
• On Blessings & Obligations:
  “Corresponding to those blessings are certain obligations. If you do those, the blessings stay.” (11:00)
• On Marriage as Covenant Model:
  “The sealing covenant creates an everlasting tie… There is a special love, a chesed of loyalty, of bindedness, when we bind ourselves by covenant with each other and vertically to God.” (29:10–36:23)
• On Test and Sacrifice:
  “When God is more interested in our growth than… our comfort.” (65:01)
• On Scattering as Blessing:
  “Am I okay in calling the scattering a fortunate scattering? Because it spread the blood of Abraham everywhere…” (51:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07–04:33 — Introduction & Cov. definition; President Nelson’s teachings
• 04:33–08:29 — Covenant roots in premortal life; Christ as covenant center
• 10:00–11:00 — Chosen people, universal mission
• 11:00–15:17 — Blessings & obligations explained
• 20:26–21:17 — Covenant as reason for mortality
• 21:18–25:18 — Abraham as exemplar: living out the four obligations
• 29:10–35:54 — Marriage as model of God’s covenant
• 35:17–36:59 — Old Testament use of marriage symbolism (Isaiah 54, Hosea)
• 45:28–46:46 — Gathering, inclusion in Millennium & Restoration
• 55:14–57:04 — Youth, being different/peculiar, strength from covenants
• 64:05–66:42 — Trials as part of Abrahamic identity
• 68:56–73:06 — Where to find Covenant foundational verses in scripture
• 73:42–End — Summary, preview of next episode on tribes & identity

Conclusion

The Abrahamic Covenant is the story that undergirds every dispensational chapter of God’s dealings with humanity. This episode empowers listeners with both doctrinal clarity and fresh motivation to “live, care, invite, and unite”—fulfilling the promise that in us, “all nations of the earth shall be blessed.” The call is not to privilege, but to purpose: to lift and include, to become like Christ, and to embrace the joys (and tests) of covenant living.

For further study: Genesis 15 & 17, Abraham 1–2, D&C 132, Isaiah 54, and President Nelson’s Oct. 2022 “The Everlasting Covenant” (Liahona).