Hebrews 3

 As much as the Jews considered Moses and the mosaic law predominate and should continue to be followed, Paul teaches all Hebrews - 

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house."  (Hebrews 3:1–3)

The Hebrews were to worship Jesus Christ, not Moses.

Hebrews 1

 It becomes clear that the Savior was Jehovah, God of the Old Testament, as Paul taught - 

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"  (Hebrews 1:1–3)

Titus 1

 Paul taught Titus - 

"Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began..."  (Titus 1:1–2)

I don't think God made that promise to Himself.  It is obvious to me that He made that promise to us, His spirit children, in a pre-mortal existence.

2 Timothy 3

I found the words of Paul to Timothy of great wisdom - 

"...that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..."  (2 Timothy 3:15–16)

1 Timothy 5

 Concerning widows, Paul wrote Timothy - 

"Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless."  (1 Timothy 5:3–7)

1 Timothy

 I find it significant that Paul exhorts Timothy to teach - 

"...first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour..."  (1 Timothy 2:1–3)

I agree.

President Dallin H. Oaks - Kingdoms of Glory

 Concerning the three degrees of glory, President Oaks taught - 

"The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s teachings and commandments were given that we may all attain “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”23 That process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough to be convinced of the gospel; we must act so that we are converted by it. In contrast to other preaching, which teaches us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.

From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is based on the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. We qualify for eternal life through a process of conversion. As used here, this word of many meanings signifies a profound change of nature. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."

2 Thessalonians 3

 Paul taught that the saints should not be lazy (disorderly) saying - 

"For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."  (2 Thessalonians 3:7–12)

1 Thessalonians 4

 Much like our day, Paul warned the saints - 

"For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God..."  (1 Thessalonians 4:2–5)

Our media and entertainment do suggest "as the Gentiles which know not God".  How do some Christian denominations then suggest this is normal and all right?

1 Thessalonians 2

 Paul enthusiastically declares - 

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"  (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

It appears that even the early saints will have the blessing of being in His presence at His second coming.

Elder David A. Bednar - In the Path of Their Duty

 Elder David A. Bednar quoted Samuel the Lamanite then added  - 

“Behold that the more part of them are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments and his statutes. …

“Yea, I say unto you, that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the knowledge of the truth.”7

I believe the phrase “in the path of their duty” describes discerning brothers and sisters who look for and sit next to people who are alone in Church meetings and in a variety of other settings. They consistently strive to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort,”8 without expectations of acknowledgment or praise.

After describing many ways the saints are "in the path of their duty", he concledes - 

"I have described only a few selected examples of covenant-keeping and devoted disciples of Jesus Christ like you who are pressing forward “in the path of [your] duty.” Millions of additional examples of Latter-day Saints who offer their “whole souls”23 unto God are found in Christ-centered homes and in Church units around the world.

You love and serve, listen and learn, care and console, and teach and testify by the power of the Holy Ghost. You fast and pray often, wax stronger and stronger in humility, and grow firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, “unto the filling [your] souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of [your] hearts, which sanctification cometh because of … yielding [your] hearts unto God.”24"

Philippians 4

 Some of the words Paul wrote to the Philippians should be familiar to many members of The Church - 

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."  (Philippians 4:4)

Words of a familiar hymn.

"...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  (Philippians 4:8)

Reflective of the 13th Article of Faith.

Philippians 2

 Paul explained of the Savior -

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name..."(  Philippians 2:6–9)

Obviously, He calls Him His Beloved Son.

"...there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."  (Mosiah 3:17)

Elder D. Todd Christofferson - The Sealing Power

 Elder Christofferson taught (which was one of my more favorite conference talks) -

"...Elijah, and it is the authority and keys he restored that I want to speak about today.11 The power to validate all priesthood ordinances and make them binding both on earth and in heaven—the sealing power—is crucial for gathering and preparing a covenant people on both sides of the veil."

"“I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet.”12 Joseph Smith later explained: “Why send Elijah? Because he holds the keys of the authority to administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood; and [unless] the authority is given, the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness”13—that is, the ordinances would not be valid in both time and eternity."

"In a teaching now canonized as scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Prophet stated: “It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of—a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah.”"

"We tend to think of the sealing authority as applying only to certain temple ordinances, but that authority is necessary to make any ordinance valid and binding beyond death.16 The sealing power confers a seal of legitimacy upon your baptism, for example, so that it is recognized here and in heaven. Ultimately, all priesthood ordinances are performed under the keys of the President of the Church, and as President Joseph Fielding Smith explained, “He [the President of the Church] has given us authority, he has put the sealing power in our priesthood, because he holds those keys.”"

Which suggests to me that any ordinance, covenant or blessing performed and authorized under priesthood keys (through the prophet who holds all keys), becomes valid on and earth and in heaven.  All depending on faithfulness.

Philippians 1

 Paul teaches that the gospel of Jesus Christ should be taught with love not contention writing - 

"...many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel."  (Philippians 1:14–17)

But nonetheless, any publishing of Jesus Christ seems to end up being for good writing - 

"What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."  (Philippians 1:18)

I think this is still true today with attacks or mockery on The Church or the Book of Mormon.

Ephesians 3

 Paul explained - 

"Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel..."  (Ephesians 3:5–6)

The gospel of Jesus Christ is unto all people.

Ephesians 1

Paul taught the righteous Ephesians -

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will..."  (Ephesians 1:3–5)

These words teach that there was a pre-mortal existence being taught and experiencing the atonement of Jesus Christ.  It also teaches that we were foreordained (not destined) to be blessed with certain talents and callings.  I'm sure it was all based on faithfulness and obedience.  This is what a patriarchal blessing is expresses.

Who knows that there may have been ordinances and covenants.