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Covenant Keepers: Unlocking the Miracles God Wants For You

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In Covenant Keepers, Wendy Watson Nelson uses pure doctrine, and examples of those who have taken the Lord at His word and put His doctrine to the test, to offer us invigorating insights into our baptismal, sacramental, and temple covenants.

Sister Nelson invites us to consider how our covenants can help us with everything from loneliness and despair to boredom, meaninglessness, and feeling overwhelmed. She teaches us how we can ask for angels to help us and those we love; how our premortal covenants can help us make meaning out of the anguishing experiences of this mortal life; how the covenant of sacrifice and the covenant of service, and even the very words of our covenants, can give us access to power we may have been overlooking.

Encouraging us to participate in a 21-day experiment that changed the lives of stressed-out young mothers, Sister Nelson takes us behind the scenes into a most unexpected journey she personally has been on, sharing three truths that now compel her life.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

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Wendy Watson Nelson

18 books109 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
Profile Image for Erika B. (SOS BOOKS).
1,318 reviews135 followers
August 12, 2016
A good little spiritual shot in the arm. While it catered a bit more towards mothers and wives (two strikes for me) I did love the thoughts about how it is our duty as a human race to care about each other. No one should be left behind that you can help in your race of life. Meanwhile, others will help strengthen you along the way as well. The best message that I got from this-seen and unseen angels will always be there for you when you are actively engaged in a good cause. It got me to thinking-
'Who are your angels?' (Is my mom too obvious of a choice?) :) It's a good question to leave this review with though!

Hey you-yeah you-you glorious being reading this-

Who are your angels? (May they always be with you!)

Erika's Amazon Link
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,741 reviews5,979 followers
January 14, 2019
This is from a talk she gave back in 2015 at Women's Conference. Such great words of wisdom and advice.

Deseret Bookshelf audiobook
Profile Image for Courtney Hatch.
833 reviews21 followers
April 10, 2021
Wendy Watson Nelson is my idol in every way. She’s extremely educated, fiercely authentic, and unapologetically faithful. If you haven’t read any of her stuff, I highly recommend you find some.
Profile Image for Julie Carpenter.
1,887 reviews240 followers
August 24, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this and thinking about the promises and blessings that we can receive as we keep covenants made with the Lord. I love that our covenants are personal between us and the Lord. Yet at the same time can be all encompassing to those who came before us.

An increased offering of our time to the Lord can bring added peace and less stress to our lives.

I loved the beginning story about a meeting she was at in Russia a few years ago and had the thought to ask what lineage the ladies were from. She went on to ask those from each individual tribe of Israel to stand( for those who aren't aware-in the LDS faith we can receive a very sacred and special, and very personal blessing from the Lord called a Patriarchal blessing, in which we learn from which tribe of Israel we descend from). Think about in the Scriptures we read about the gathering of the ten tribes of Israel. Wendy Watson Nelson was able to witness that, as 11 of the 12 tribes were represented in descendants that day. Then she was able to go to Armenia a few hours later for another conference and have someone who had heard about the previous meeting and say to her "I have Levi", meaning someone was there who was a descendant of the tribe of Levi. Amazing to be able to see, and hear about that and not just some random I heard about someone from this tribe through this person's cousin's uncle's friend's so and so.

A couple quotes I liked...

"They received blessings in multiple aspects of their lives and in important ways they could never have imagined."

"I am even more convinced now, years later, that weary covenant men and women are revitalized as the power of God flows into their lives when they keep their covenant of service. We were indeed born to serve! Our spirits remember our pre-mortal covenant to serve, and they rejoice when we keep it. One way we can keep our covenant to serve is by helping others Prepare for, understand, and keep their covenants."

"Making covenants with God calls forth the divine within us. Keeping our covenants with God allows Him to pour his divine power into us."

Content: Religious teachings applicable to anyone and some key aspects applicable to those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints faith.

My mom gave this book as a gift to my hubby for Father's Day.

Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Tom Grover.
102 reviews3 followers
May 28, 2019
Sister Nelson's view of the gospel is so transactional, it feels sterile. For example, she encourages readers to abide by the Law of the Fast and make fast offerings because they will be blessed temporally. The reason we make fast offerings is to assist the poor, not to accrue blessings. Maybe you get "blessed" and maybe you don't, but you definitely helped those in need. And, when done correctly, denying oneself through the Law of the Fast is the blessing itself.

In another head-scratcher, Sister Nelson compares her efforts at family history and temple work to Oscar Schindler, who saved Jews during WWII. I think this is a rather preposterous comparison. Sister Nelson sits on her computer in the comfort of her basement in Salt Lake City. In contrast, Oscar Schindler actually risked his life and fortune.

I am sure Sister Nelson is a lovely person, but this is a legitimately terrible book.
147 reviews3 followers
October 7, 2022
Super fast read. I loved it! So many wonderful truths & it makes me want to be a better person
Profile Image for Dee Toomey.
225 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2016
Lately genealogy has been heavy on my mind. After reading this book, I feel even stronger that I need to learn the how-tos and get busy with the doing. Good book. Short read. I recommend this to any who wish to enrich their lives by keeping covenants with God.
213 reviews5 followers
March 6, 2017
Today I begin the 21 day challenge. Wendy Watson Nelson provides an inspiring and enjoyable quick read. "Making covenants with God calls forth the divine within us. Keeping our covenants with God allows Him to pour His divine power into us."
25 reviews2 followers
April 12, 2016
This was a really quick read; I devoured it in one afternoon.

Some of my favorite thoughts:

- That by living according to the law of sacrifice (while anything will do, Sister Nelson suggests time invested in family history, and temple work) God will compensate us and we will not only be able to accomplish more in less time - in our regular lives - but will also feel less stress, more energized, increased patience, more and clearer revelation, renewed focus, and more time. Say what?

- The Lord gets His work done with the help of His angels... who are typically from the ranks of our kindred and family! They could be spirits that have passed on, or spirits that still need to come.

- When we keep our covenants, we are allowed to ask for angels to help us and our loved ones here on earth. She shared an experience of a woman who did temple work for some sisters who had passed on, and asked those sisters to help her sister (who was still here on earth). That earthly sister started coming back to church and attending the temple prep class. Such a sweet story, and it motivates me to not only ask my loved ones on the other side for help, but also to do more family history so I have more spirits to "have my back" so to speak. :)

- An idea that possibly during the pre-existance, we made promises with others who would live when temples weren't on the earth, to find their information and allow them to receive their ordinances. Definitely thought provoking.

- I also loved some of her ideas that could influence my success in family history research. She mentioned (1) creating a sacred space, clean and quiet, (2) praying, "please lead me to those who are ready to make covenants with Thee and receive their ordinances", (3) time management - how many souls could I save in the time I binge-watched a show on Netflix? or went shopping for a shirt I never found? (4) that our ancestors are "not all that cheerful about being called dead" because they are very much alive, just on the other side of the veil.

All in all, an uplifting read. And it will get you motivated about doing family history and attending the temple!
Profile Image for Cara.
221 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2020
I read this book in less than an hour but it answered a prayer that I have been praying about for YEARS! I truly loved this book and I truly felt that I had asked Sister Nelson my questions and poured out my soul to her, like I have been doing to the Lord for years, and this book was the answer from both of them. I truly feasted while reading this and pretty much highlighted every word. The Lord works in mysterious ways and he know how to get me to listen and hear his words, through books. I’ve got a lot of work to do and for once, I am excited about going to work.
I loved her segment about Schindler and how she compared that to doing family history work. It really spoke to me and created in me the urgency and purpose I needed. I also felt like Sister Nelson and I have a lot in common when it came to the first initial thoughts of doing g family history. I have always wanted to but the desire just wasn’t quite there. Now, it is. I have always been big on teaching my children about covenants and this book deepened my love for them.
Profile Image for Deb.
1,573 reviews21 followers
July 9, 2018
I am interested in getting to know Sister Nelson. It was nice to pick up this short book by her for Sunday reading from the library. Unfortunately, I didn't deeply connect with it. I was hoping for more. The many exclamation points were distracting. I have trouble with pictorially displayed interrupting quotes that emphasize and restate. At the same time, Nelson's passion for family history is evident and somewhat contagious. It is tempting to test her message message, "Do family history and temple work and it will fix everything." We make significant covenants. I guess I was hoping she'd address each of them more in depth.

After reading other reviews by people who feel similarly to me, I see that the things I don't like about this book are probably the fault of the publisher, not Sister Nelson.
Profile Image for Teresa.
41 reviews
April 1, 2016
"....in times of distress, let your covenants be paramount, and let your obedience be exact."

"Just as the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is at the center of the plan of salvation, we followers of Christ must make our own sacrifices to prepare for the destiny that plan provides for us."

"When we make a sacrifice to the Lord, a sacrifice that means something to him, HEAVEN IS BOUND TO RESPOND".

"God is a great compensator."

"Angels above us are doing more than silently taking notes"

As we live up to our covenants the angels will not be able to be restrained from being our Associates."

"Did we have any idea about how many activities we would need to Give Up Doing so that we would have time to help others return home- to receive all that the Father hath?"
Profile Image for alisonwonderland (Alison).
1,516 reviews140 followers
June 1, 2016
I'm generally a fan of Wendy Watson Nelson, and I'm going to blame the publisher and editor for my low rating rather than the author. Although it contains some powerful concepts, this short book seems to be the result of taking two of Nelson's semi-related speeches, mashing them together, and calling it a book. Some editing to eliminate redundancies and sharpen the focus would have gone a long way toward a meaningful end product.
Profile Image for Kayla.
120 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2020
I felt like it wasn’t the most well written book (didn’t flow very well, too many exclamation marks...), but I loved her thoughts and felt inspired to dive into family history again and learn more about covenants. Good quick read.
Profile Image for Galene.
66 reviews
April 1, 2018
I Loved this book and I read it to my daughter aloud. I got this book a couple of days before I was asked to speak in Church....On Covenants. What a Great Resource. GREAT BOOK!! =D
Profile Image for Melanie.
531 reviews4 followers
May 10, 2018
I loved this book. I will be changing the way I keep my covenants. What a powerful shot in the arm to be serious about how I spend my time. I will be reading this again for sure! Wowser!!!!
Profile Image for Molly.
1,142 reviews23 followers
September 20, 2020
Wow! This book is powerful! Loved it and the not so gentle reminders. I will definitely be revisiting this one.
Profile Image for Amy.
685 reviews41 followers
March 27, 2019
In essence this is one of her talks from a Women's Conference. She also visited Michigan and spoke to the Relief Society and a large part of her presentation covered a lot of this material. So, it wasn't new to me. However, it's one of those cases of repetition reaps greater benefits as you don't remember everything the first time around.

Wonderful short book, full of so many wonderful messages that will lift, inspire and give you the desire to reach out and obtain all the blessings promised.

I read this before attending the Temple and it was a great reminder that "covenants didn't begin here and they won't end here."
1,320 reviews4 followers
December 18, 2018
Covenant Keepers is a short booklet absolutely packed with insights and a 21-day challenge that Sister Nelson assures will change your life. her positive, upbeat personality comes through in her writing. I took so many notes as I read it and definitely plan to put her challenge to the test. I highly recommend it to other women who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Profile Image for Jennefer.
79 reviews
January 4, 2021
Loved listening to this particularly with our current circumstances where temple attendance is limited to so many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Profile Image for Stefanie.
147 reviews
May 18, 2019
I highly recommend!!!! The promises given from keeping our covenants giving me so much peace and hope
Profile Image for Suzette Kunz.
1,109 reviews29 followers
April 20, 2018
Again, some very pragmatic application of gospel principles and the blessings and promises that come with temple work.
Profile Image for Melanie.
263 reviews20 followers
January 28, 2019
"Making covenants with God calls forth the divine within us. Keeping our covenants with God allows Him to pour His divine power into us."

I loved this book. It's a fast read but had me thinking long and hard about covenants. I gained new insights which I look forward to implementing in my life.
Profile Image for Jan.
476 reviews
July 6, 2025
This is a short read or listen. My husband and I listened to it twice on our last trip and I had already listened to it once. How can you bring the temple and family history into your life more. I want to do the 21 day challenge. How can doing family history and being in the temple change your life?

I have bought I think 10 copies to give as gifts. You need to read it.
Profile Image for Natalie Olsen.
138 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2024

March 31, 2021 (1st time)
“Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven”
The sacrifice of time.
Family history work.
“Just imagine what can happen as we make a sacrifice of time to the Lord by doing two things we know he really cares about: Family History and Temple Work.”
They bring his children Home.
God is a great compensator.
Our will is the most important we can give to him.
Rejuvenated by serving
We are born to serve
Ask for angels to help you
We covenanted premortally to be partners with the Father and the Son in their work, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Profile Image for Barbara Lovejoy.
2,546 reviews32 followers
January 30, 2017
I just finished reading this book again, taking notes this time. Love it so much!


February 16, 2016: My cute friend, Cindie Walker, gave me a Deseret Book gift card for my birthday. I knew exactly what I would buy!--Wendy Watson Nelson's newest book. I had heard Wendy speak a number of times, and she always shared things that touched my heart and inspired me. Therefore, I was excited to read this book. Once again she has inspired me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews

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