How are covenants used in the Book of Mormon?

Thomas R. Valletta

“Of the 154 references to ‘covenant’ in the Book of Mormon, 113 of them explain some promises made between God and his children on the earth. Most of the remaining references describe honorable promises made between leaders and individuals, usually to end periods of conflict. But a third and smallest category of passages contains 17 references to evil, secret covenants made between men and the devil. Fifteen of these secret covenant references are found in the book of Helaman and the first chapters of 3 Nephi, where all three types of covenants are mentioned (see Alma 37:27, 29 for the other two secret covenant references)” (Ludlow, “Secret Covenant Teachings of Men and the Devil,” 265–66).

The Book of Mormon Study Guide: Start to Finish

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