May 1st, 2025, 10:35am MDT
Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, the first counselor of the young male general president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke about the importance of the covenant relationship between God and Jesus Christ at the BYU Women’s Conference on Wednesday, April 30th.
“God has chosen to enter into a covenant relationship with you and Jesus Christ, so God can trust you,” Brother Wilcox said. The presentation was aimed at women aged 11-18 and young women.
The Wilcox brothers cited Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, the second counselor for the first presidency, from the General Women’s Session at the October 2014 General Conference.
Elder Uchtdorf said:
The Wilcox brothers also shared a quote from President Russell M. Nelson. Russell M. Nelson told young adults in 2022 that they were children of God above all else, as members of the church, they were children of the covenant, and they were disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Wilcox brothers said he was inspired by these words.
As we enter into the covenant of God with Jesus Christ, Brother Wilcox said, “it gives us access to the same blessings that our ancestors and ancestors have received, including birthrights,” said Brother Wilcox.
To explain the history of birthrights, the Wilcox brothers told the story of Jacob’s family in Genesis. The Wilcox brothers joined the helpers on stage at the Marriott Center, dressed in costumes and embraced signs representing members of Jacob’s family.
He told me that Joseph, the eldest son of Jacob’s wife, Rachel, had received an extra portion of the birthright handed over to his sons Ephraim and Manasseh.
Similarly, the Wilcox brothers testified that the covenant’s keeper would also receive the extra portion.
“We know the answers to questions that confuse theologians studying God in college. “We can enter a temple where the other children of God receive donations – gifts – they have yet to receive. We have been given much.”
Born rights also come with certain responsibilities, the Wilcox brothers taught.
“Along with his birthright, Joseph was responsible for caring for his family,” Brother Wilcox said. “He ultimately saved them from hunger and death. He was also expected to govern everything in Egypt, as well as control the matters of his father’s property he did.”
Both the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh are intended to work together at gatherings in other parts of Israel, so that in the end Israel can gather all the children of the gods in his house, Brother Wilcox explained.
“Thinking for yourself, are you from Ephraim? Are you from Manasseh? Are you from another tribe?” he asked. “If you don’t know the answer, I hope you will soon get the patriarch’s blessings and know your special system of mind that will unite you in the past and organize you for future responsibilities and challenges.”
According to Brother Wilcox, this birthright means expecting God to help and serve others.
“Is your birthright evidence evidence of God’s love? Yes, but more importantly, it’s proof of his trust,” he said. “Because you have chosen to make and maintain a contract, he will trust you to be different, unique and apart for the important work you trust you to do.”
Once they fulfill their birthright, the labor they do will be with the vineyard master.
“You work in cooperation with Jesus Christ,” Brother Wilcox testified.
To further explain the lessons from the Old Testament, particularly the story of Joseph, the Wilcox brothers invited Donnie Osmond to join him on stage at the end of his presentation.
Wearing the same “Technicolor Dream Coat,” he wore in over 2,000 performances in the “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” musical, Osmond shared his testimony of the power of his covenant relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
“If we simply endure the end and remain in the path of the covenant, the promise is that God will give us not only everything the Father has, but everything the Father has,” Osmond said. “It’s, in my opinion, a loving God.”
Osmond sang “Any Dream Will Do” from the musical and sang “Amazing Blessings.”
