NOM

As bits of conference talks drift in from the other room I hear something like an echo that just repeats "covenant path" over and over again.

I was curious about how this conference fad got started, so I did some research. Apparently it was begun by... are you ready?... a woman! Young Women president Elaine S. Dalton first coined the phrase, as far as I can determine, in 2007. Two years later it was used twice by Deetod Christofferson, but apart from that it was used in conference talks exclusively by women until Henry Be Eye-Ring (distant cousin of Johnny Be Good) picked it up and gave it Priesthood validity. After that it was a dogpile to see who could repeat it the most.

This covenant path business has gotten way out of hand now though, I agree. Every time I go to church, which is not often, I here this covenant business over and over. Difficult not to be cynical about it.

Interesting how this stuff gets started. Remember when Thomas Monson would introduce himself at the podium, "I, brother Monson", and the next thing you know the bishopric in your ward is doing the same thing in Sac Mtg. "I, brother so and so, will be conducting", just like ol' Monson.

I think that could be a good band name.

Rusty and the Covenant Path

Gives us something to ponderize anyway..

Covenant Path... where's the trailhead?

2765 Dimple Dell Rd, Sandy, UT

I think it runs to here, next to the Dew property: https://goo.gl/maps/7q6czfyrfvsiKQjq5

moksha wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 12:30 am

Covenant Path... where's the trailhead?

2765 Dimple Dell Rd, Sandy, UT

I think it runs to here, next to the Dew property: https://goo.gl/maps/7q6czfyrfvsiKQjq5

If I'm hearing you right, the Covenant Path leads to a good ol' fashioned toilet papering. We meet at the address above at midnight.

After Nelson croaks it will die out and be relegated to the dustbin of history like every other slogan: "lengthen your stride," "every member a missionary," "hasten the work," "did somebody say McDonald's?," "have you had your break today?", etc. etc. etc.

I've always thought "Covenant Path" is nondescriptive.

The "Exploitation Treadmill" works better for me.

What’s interesting is that the church hasn’t tried to capitalize on any covenant path domain names.

Covenantpath.com points to Covenant Pathology.
Covenantpath.org seems to be available.

Anyone want to register and start selling merch?

I wonder if the ponderize guy wants to sell T-shirts?

Palerider wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:12 am I've always thought "Covenant Path" is nondescriptive.

The "Exploitation Treadmill" works better for me.

Covenant treadmill has a nice ring to it.

Red Ryder wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 11:09 am

Palerider wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:12 am I've always thought "Covenant Path" is nondescriptive.

The "Exploitation Treadmill" works better for me.

Covenant treadmill has a nice ring to it.

Even better!

Red Ryder wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 11:09 am

Palerider wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:12 am I've always thought "Covenant Path" is nondescriptive.

The "Exploitation Treadmill" works better for me.

Covenant treadmill has a nice ring to it.

Covenant Hamster Wheel™


The only issue with these references to the monotonous repetition is: At least folks using a treadmill or a hamster wheel get some benefit from the activity.

Covenant Path-ing? COMPLETELY useless.

What will the next slogan be?

"Break out the muskets"

"Temple a day keeps the devil away"

"Focus on Eternity"

"Constant Repentance, Constant Blessings"

"What would the Prophet do?"

I'm more interested in knowing where the off-ramp is. They have ran the phrase into the ground. I thought hasten the work was bad but this covenant path slogan is well past the expiration date.

Millhouse: Church talks are so horribly repetitive. They've said "covenant path" so many times that the words have lost all meaning.
Producer: There's another "covenant path" talk Millhouse.
Millhouse: But we already heard the "covenant path" talk. It took seven hours but we did it. It's done.
Producer: Yes, but they've got no other ideas, so they have to say "covenant path." Again and again! And again and again and again.

Cnsl1 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 10:43 pm What will the next slogan be?

Maybe they'll pluck some obscure wording from scripture. It has to be short, it helps to be alliterative, and above all else it must be annoying.

I'm thinking "continue as you commenced" (D&C 9:5) to address the problem of people walking away from things that no longer spark joy.

My in-laws, who fancy themselves as dyed-in-the-wool TBMs but are in reality cafeteria Mormons in a big way, would do better to call it the "Convenient Path".

Palerider wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:12 am I've always thought "Covenant Path" is nondescriptive.

They could always do a direct-to-English translation: Surrender your gonads to authority figures (with a lovely bow tied on the left side).

Palerider wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2023 8:27 am My in-laws, who fancy themselves as dyed-in-the-wool TBMs but are in reality cafeteria Mormons in a big way, would do better to call it the "Convenient Path".

I like this one the best!

Convenient Path

I'm not sure I would call the frequent use of "covenant path" a fad. I'm guessing the GAs are trying to get or keep membership on the "covenant path", not just discuss it (especially with critics), and that they view small memorable sound bites repeated over and over again as mnemonic aids in this effort. I also guess the GAs get a lot of input into what they preach long before they preach it, at least since "l'affaire Poleman". I can well imagine each GA receiving a checklist, including points like "Use 'covenant path' at least once". I'm just guessing though...

"the covenant path" was a convenient path/con for Chad Daybell, James Craig, Michael Haight, and dozens of other 'temple-worthy' rapists, embezzlers, murderers, etc. who have been discovered to be liars in the last few years.