February 19, 2026

Abraham 2:5 And the famine abated; and my father tarried in Haran and dwelt there, as there were many flocks in Haran; and my father turned again unto his idolatry, therefore he continued in Haran.

There's a lot to unpack here. First, Abraham's father followed him out of Ur. Abraham allowed his father to come with him. This reminds me of Nephi, why frankly forgave his brothers. Strong example of forgiveness.

We don't know if his father repented or simply followed Abraham because he knew Abraham would lead to a good place, but it appears he tried to do better. However, like the seed sewn in shallow soil, it didn't last long.

When life is difficult, it's easy to repent and turn towards God. We need His comfort peace. But the real test is how do we prioritize God when life is good? It's easy to be first place when there are no other competitors (like my Utah Summer Games debut), but do we put God first when other idols appear? It says he turned back to his idolatry right after mentioning he stayed where there were many flocks. I'd bet the wealth was the first idol he returned to.

How can we put God first in a highly competitive bracket where every idol claws for our time and attention? Study the creation, understand the fall, and believe in the Atonement of Christ. Then, each day, do the simple things with a focus on Christ and what he does for us. We can develop a love for our Savior and continue to feed the fire line upon line. But it has to start with one line here and another there.

I was thinking about the garment today and how it's a protection against the destroyer. I've always thought of it as helping us remember our covenants and point is towards Christ - a constant reminder to always remember Him - and as we do that, it's harder to sin. While I still believe this, another thought occurred to me given our recent studies of the Old Testament, the creation, the fall... The garment covers us, symbolic of Christ covering us through His Atonement. The promise of protection didn't mean that we won't sin or that we won't face trials and tribulation. We will each suffer immense crucibles in this life. But we are covered by Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. He is the protection against the destroyer, and as we wear our garment, symbolic of His covering us, we draw upon the power of symbolism, the power of our covenants, and the power of the Atonement of Christ, and are ultimately protected from the plan of the destroyer.

I mentioned drawing power from our covenants. The Hebrew word for covenant did not mean a contract, it referred more to a relation. Our covenants with God may be a two-way promise, but the better way to look at them is entering a relationship. I've always wondered how we draw power from our covenants. Honestly, it didn't seem to make sense. Yes, I am blessed when I follow my covenants, so that is power, but how do I draw on them? That's where knowing they are actually a relationship instead of a contract opens my understanding. I can draw on my relationship with my Savior and my Father.

As thoughts of the garment and covenants occupied my mind today, we ended the night reading from the Book of Mormon. I read the following verse with different eyes.

1 Nephi 11:36 And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The destruction of those who fight against the Lamb is not a destruction of war (we know this), but still, when reading about fighting and destruction it sounds like God will "defeat" these enemies. He will not. They will commit spiritual suicide by choosing not to be covered by The One who loved them, despite His tears and pleading.

Christ coveres us, but we have to accept His love. We have to wear his covering. The garment is a beautiful, sacred symbol. I am grateful for it, and for my Savior.