Through baptism we enter a covenant with God.
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are adesirous to come into the bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are awilling to mourn with those that bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being abaptized in the bname of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a ccovenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Doctrinal Mastery Core Document: Ordinances and Covenants
7.7. A covenant is a sacred agreement between God and man. God gives the conditions for the covenant, and we agree to do what He asks us to do; God then promises us certain blessings for our obedience (see Exodus 19:5–6; D&C 82:10). If we do not abide by our covenants, then we will not receive the promised blessings.
7.8. All of the saving ordinances of the priesthood are accompanied by covenants. For example, we covenant with the Lord through baptism (see Mosiah 18:8–10). Men who receive the Melchizedek Priesthood enter into the oath and covenant of the priesthood. We renew covenants we have made by partaking of the sacrament.
7.9. We make further covenants as we receive the saving ordinances of the endowment and the marriage sealing in the temple. We prepare to participate in ordinances and make covenants in the temple by living the standards of worthiness the Lord has set (see Psalm 24:3–4). It is vital that we are worthy to enter the temple because the temple is literally the house of the Lord. It is the most holy of any place of worship on earth.
Alma was hiding from the servants of wicked King Noah because he had chosen to repent and follow the Lord after listening to the teachings of the prophet Abinadi. In time, many people came to the Waters of Mormon, near Alma’s hiding place, to hear him teach and to be baptized.
Read Mosiah 18:8–10 and look for what Alma taught about the covenant we make when we receive the ordinance of baptism.
- According to this passage, what do we covenant, or promise to do, when we are baptized?
Mosiah 18:8–10 provides an example of the doctrine that all of the saving ordinances of the priesthood are accompanied by covenants.
- Why do you think it is important to know that whenever we receive a saving ordinance we also enter into a covenant with the Lord?
Reread Mosiah 18:8–10 and look for what the Lord promises us as we make and keep the covenant of baptism.
- According to verses 9–10, what does the Lord promise us as we make and keep the covenant of baptism?
Read the following statement and look for how the ordinance of the sacrament can help us receive the blessings we are promised in the covenant of baptism.
“Partaking of the sacrament is a witness to God that the remembrance of His Son will extend beyond the short time of that sacred ordinance. Part of this ordinance is a promise to remember Him always and a witness of individual willingness to take upon oneself the name of Jesus Christ and to keep His commandments. In partaking of the sacrament and making these commitments, Church members renew the covenant they made at baptism (see Mosiah 18:8–10; D&C 20:37).“In return, the Lord renews the promised remission of sin and enables Church members to ‘always have his Spirit to be with them’ (D&C 20:77). The Spirit’s constant companionship is one of the greatest gifts of mortality” (Gospel Topics, “Sacrament,” lds.org/topics).
- What effect can worthily partaking of the sacrament each week have on you?
- In what ways can having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost bless you?
- How does understanding the blessings we can receive through the sacrament increase your appreciation for this ordinance?
How often do you think about the covenants you made at baptism and renew when you partake of the sacrament? How often should you think about them? When do you usually take time to think about these covenants?
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught the importance of keeping our covenants with the Lord: “The Latter-day Saints are a covenant people. From the day of baptism through the spiritual milestones of our lives, we make promises with God and He makes promises with us. He always keeps His promises offered through His authorized servants, but it is the crucial test of our lives to see if we will make and keep our covenants with Him” (”Witnesses for God,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 30).
What is one thing you will do to better keep the covenants you made at baptism? How will you keep this commitment?
To help you understand what you can do to keep the baptismal covenant, and to help you appreciate the blessings you will receive as a result, copy the following chart in your journal. Fill in the rest of the chart as you study Mosiah 18:8–11.
I am willing to …
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God promises …
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One way we serve God is by serving His children (see Mosiah 2:17).
- What do you think it means to “mourn with those that mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (verse 9)?
- What are some ways we can “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (verse 9)? Whom do you know who is a good example of doing this?
- When have you chosen to stand as a witness of God? How did your actions affect those around you?
- How would you summarize the blessings we receive by making and keeping the covenant of baptism?
Book of Mormon Central
General Conference
The Comforter, Pres. Eyring
The Covenant of Baptism, Elder Hales
Covenants, Pres. Nelson
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