Covenant vs Narrow Paths

When LDSaints view references to the "narrow path" they see a path that is incomplete. Therefore they came up with the concept they are pleased to call the "Covenant Path". That vocabulary not found in any of their "standard works". Their path may seem to the casual observer as the same as the Narrow Path but on the slightest consideration will reveal that it is something different altogether. One immediately sees that the Book of Mormon Path is narrow but the LDS view is so wide and broad that everyone, with a few exceptions not to be considered here, will be saved and glorified even the enemies of God. A more broad way can not be invented.
The best explanation of the Book of Mormon and Bible concepts of the Narrow Path can be found in **2 Nephi chapters 31-2. The "gate" one must pass through is witnessing to the world and to Father that we are willing to keep His commandments. We do that by baptism. Such witnessing will bless us with the Holy Ghost. But that is only the gate that gets us on the Narrow Path.
2 Nephi 31:17. ....the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
18. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
Although baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost is a part of the LDS Covenant Path (being two of the "covenants"), we can clearly see that these are only the gate that puts us on the Narrow Path.
After we are on the Narrow Path, having passed through the Gate, we are instructed what is left to be done.
19. And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
20. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
21. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.
How to Walk the Narrow Path
Some of the Nephites didn't understand the simpleness of the way and so they asked Nephi what more has to be done.
2 Nephi 32:1 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?
Nephi explains the way one stays on the Narrow Path.
Walk as Jesus Walked
First of all, those on the Path must "endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God" (1 Nephi 31:16). Later, Jesus says,
3 Nephi 27:21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
Feast Upon The Words Of Christ
2 Nephi 32:3 ....feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
Paul told Timothy in
2 Timothy 3
15. And 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:
17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The Church teaches that next to their Living Oracles, the scriptures mean nothing to them. Such is the Covenant Path. The Narrow Path values scriptures and says that those who consider scriptures as nothing have hardened their hearts against the Holy Ghost.
2 Nephi 33:2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
You cannot walk along the Narrow Path without the Word of God. The Covenant Path finds Living Oracles adequate.
Listen for the Holy Ghost
2 Nephi 32:5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
Personal Revelation
2 Nephi 32:6 ....And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.
This completes the explanation of the Narrow Path.
The Covenant Path vs Narrow Path
You will notice as you read the Book of Mormon exposition of the Narrow Path that it doesn't include many activities and teachings of the LDSaints. There is nothing along the path as temple ordinances, oaths, covenants, inspired leaders or priesthoods. These are parts of the Covenant Paths and have been added to the Narrow Path and are believed by LDSaints to be necessary in obtaining Eternal Life. As Brother Hickenbotham adds,
The "narrow path" also incorporates following the counsel and teachings of modern prophets and apostles, adhering to God's commandments, participating in sacred ordinances, and seeking personal revelation to guide one's life.
Although he calls it the Narrow Path, he is actually referring to the LDS Covenant Path.
You will remember that the Narrow Path does not incorporate modern prophets and apostles. Agreeing with Nephi, John the Beloved wrote,
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
The author of Hebrews speaks of this principle.
Hebrews 8:10. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Nephi summed up with "the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do".
Those familiar with the Book of Galatians unfiltered by the "Come Follow Me" guide will see that this is exactly what Paul was getting at.
Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Although Paul went up to Jerusalem to meet with the Apostles (he met only Peter and James, the Lord's brother) and other leaders, he made clear,
Galatians 2:6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat....for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
This feature of the Narrow Path contrasts with the strong emphasis on "Prophets and Apostles" found in the Covenant Path. Indeed, that path casts aside the "feasting on the Word of Christ" and introduces these Priesthood Leaders.
Brigham Young stood before a congregation and laid his hands on the Bible and Book of Mormon along with the other LDS standard works and said,
"There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God....when compared with the living oracles those books are nothing to me"
We can see the emphasis on Living Oracles along the Covenant Path which is not even hinted at in exploring the Narrow Path of the Book of Mormon.
Conclusion
Although the Covenant Path may seem to be the Narrow Path absent of close examination, we see that they are two different concepts. The Covenant path is more like the idea of dot-to-dot drawings that children enjoy. They go from one dot to the next in a certain, well marked order. All dots must be covered to get the complete picture. On the Covenant Path, these dots would be oaths, covenants and a bunch of temple ordinances added to the Narrow Path. Remember that Jesus said, "ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do".
The advantage of the Covenant Path i that it enables those walking therein to check off the covenants they made. It is very comforting, therefore, to be able to verify progress along the path by milestones. Of course the Narrow Path isn't that. Milestones measure outward appearance only. The Narrow Path is, rather, a new creation, a new birth, a change in disposition, the loss of desire to do evil. In summary, the Narrow Path is about Sanctification. One may connect all covenant dots and still be "whited Sepulchers". And that is the danger.
When you see many things being done in the Church that you didn't see Jesus do, you know you have left the Narrow Path and are wondering on the Covenant Path. If merely the collection of Covenants made along the Path gives satisfaction, you are in peril.