The Law of the Gospel: Shifting Interpretations of a Temple Covenant throughout Latter-day Saint History

In the April 2019 general conference, apostle David A. Bednar counseled members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to engage in home-centered temple preparation. While acknowledging the need to be circumspect regarding portions of the temple endowment, Bednar provided the following guidance regarding aspects of the ceremony appropriate for general conversation: “We may discuss the basic purposes of and the doctrine and principles associated with temple ordinances and covenants.” He then proceeded to identify the covenants that temple attendees accept as part of the endowment, “the law of obedience, the law of sacrifice, the law of the gospel, the law of chastity, and the law of consecration.”¹ Bednar's statements signaled an apostolic stamp of approval on church members openly discussing temple covenants—something many were historically reticent to do.² While initiates first make these covenants as ritual participants inside the temple, the laws of obedience, sacrifice,...