Promise and discipline guide my hand.
No witness needed, no victory cry,
Just faith, and the will to keep trying.
Excerpt
Long-term promises often need visible reminders so we remember who we are and what we have committed to become.
Intro
In IT, I learned that systems fail when there are no checkpoints, no logs, and no monitoring. The same principle applies to life. Covenants are like system checkpoints — they keep us aligned, stable, and secure when the world becomes unpredictable.
Notes from the Scriptures
President Dallin H. Oaks taught that clothing worn by judges, soldiers, doctors, and first responders serves as both identification and reminder of duty. Wedding rings and engagement rings function the same way — symbols of covenant responsibility.
Captain Moroni created a physical reminder of commitment when he raised the Title of Liberty. The people responded by making their own visible covenant, showing that loyalty to God requires both belief and action (see Alma 46).
One of the earliest covenant symbols appears after the Flood, when the Lord gave the rainbow as a token of His covenant with Noah and all living creatures (Genesis 9:12–15). The rainbow was not for God’s memory — it was for ours.
Perspective
In my life, covenant reminders have not always been symbolic objects. Sometimes they have been routines, disciplines, and responsibilities that keep me anchored.
My morning prayers before work.
My commitment to serve others quietly.
My decision to keep learning in IT even when exhausted.
My boxing discipline six days a week.
My effort to help others enter the IT field.
These are reminders of who I promised to become.
In IT infrastructure, we use redundancy, monitoring, and backups to preserve stability. In life, covenants serve the same purpose — they preserve identity when circumstances change.
Practice (today, not someday)
Today I will remember that promises require maintenance, just like systems do. I will recommit to the small daily actions that keep my covenants alive:
work with integrity,
serve without recognition,
continue learning,
and remain faithful even in quiet seasons.
Final Reflection
The rainbow reminds us that God keeps His promises. Our daily actions show that we intend to keep ours.
Covenants are not just words spoken once. They are commitments lived repeatedly.
Pocket I’m Keeping
Covenants are reminders of who I promised to become.
What I Hear Now
“The rainbow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant…”
Genesis 9:16
Link to the talk
Covenants and Responsibilities — April 2024 General Conference — President Dallin H. Oaks
© 2012–2026 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.