In 1 Nephi, the angel is describing the difference between the great abominable church of the devil and the church of the Lamb of God. The angel asks Nephi if he remembers the covenants of the Father unto the house of Israel (1 Nephi 14:8). He than explains that there are save two churches. Nephi, later, beholds power of the Lamb of God descend upon the saints of the church of the lamb and upon the covenant people of the Lord.
It seems to me that the distinguishing factor between being a member of great abominable church and the church of the Lamb of God is whether or not I am keeping my covenants. The Father fulfills his covenants in the last days - to bring about a great and marvelous work and cleanse the earth - with those who make and keep covenants. It is one thing to receive the covenant through the ordinances of the gospel and it is another thing to live by those covenants. By keeping their covenants, the power of the Lamb of God descended upon the saints. God arms them with righteousness and with power of God in great glory.(1 Nephi 14:14)
So, what if I am a member of the true church but don't keep my covenants? What if I don't even know what the covenants I have made are? Can I keep them? If I am not actively working on my discipleship could I unknowingly be a member of the wrong symbolic 'church'?
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