Years ago, I came up with what our family called “The Tolman Covenant”.   I thought it was so incredibly clever.  I likened the scriptures, just as Nephi said to do, to myself, my family, and my time period.  I recently ran across this little family document and I now share it with you.  I don’t remember exactly how this came about, but I remember having it taped to several walls around the house, so the kids could read it and be inspired.  I am absolutely sure they rarely read it, and it’s questionable whether they were ever truly inspired by it, but one of these copies managed to survive…and you know what, it still is not a bad idea.

Here is The Tolman Covenant, taken from Alma 1: 25-32:

V 25       Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith, nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.

V 26       And when the parents left their beds to impart the word of God unto the children, the children also left their beds to hear the word of God.  And when the parents had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their beds, or preparations for the day, and the parents, not esteeming themselves above their children, for the parents were no better than the children, neither were the children any better than each other; and thus they were all equals, and they did all household jobs, every man according to his strength.

V 27       And they did impart of their kindness, every one according to that which he had, to the father and the mother, and the brother and the sister, and they did not hog the bathroom, yet they were neat and comely.

V 28       And thus they did establish the affairs of the home; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.

V 29       And now, because of the steadiness of the home they began to be exceedingly kind, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of kind actions, and sweet words of every kind, and also abundance of patience, and of tolerance, and of honesty, and of precious deeds, and abundance of laughter and fine-twined unity, and all manner of good homely love.

V 30       And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not leave out any who were sad, or that were depressed, or that were hurt, or that were having a bad day, or that had not been built up; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the home or in the home, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

V 31       And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not do these things in their home.

V 32       For those who did not these things in their home did indulge themselves in laziness and in media or things of the world, and in babblings, and in envying and strife; wearing costly apparel, being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes;  persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible.

For what it’s worth—there’s no harm in rewording the scriptures to understand them better, to use them for insights and solutions, to remind your family, or to put everything back into a black and white state where it can be seen more clearly.  You may want to create your own family covenant.