Baptismal Covenant Reflection

“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 desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light. Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses 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 first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?” (Mosiah 18:8-10)

There is something deeply stirring in the passage from Mosiah, where Alma stands at the waters of Mormon and invites the people to enter into a covenant with the Lord. As I reflect on the words spoken, I think of the sacred nature of baptism and the promises we make when we enter into that covenant. To me, it is more than a moment, or date on the calendar; instead, this is a lifelong commitment, one that should cause us to live as true disciples of Christ. When Alma asks the people if they are “willing to bear one another’s burdens” and “mourn with those that mourn,” it becomes clear that baptism is not simply an individual act, but a commitment to live in community, to love and serve one another. It is our duty to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in their trials, to extend a hand when they are weighed down, and to offer comfort in times of sorrow. These actions are not just outward expressions of kindness; they are reflections of the Saviour’s love working through us.

In these verses, I also hear echoes of Christ’s teachings in the New Testament. When the Saviour gave the new commandment in John 13:34-35, He said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” This call to love one another is central to the covenant we make at baptism. We are not only agreeing to follow the commandments ourselves, but to serve those around us with the same love that Christ shows to us.

Alma’s invitation to “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” brings to mind the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 12:1, where he admonishes us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” In my understanding, this means that living the covenant requires every part of us—our thoughts, our words, our actions. It is a continual offering of ourselves in service to Heavenly Father and to others. Baptism is not just a one-time event; it is the beginning of a life spent standing as a witness of God, in every situation and place we find ourselves, whether easy or difficult, public or private.

As I ponder on these verses, I feel the weight and beauty of the baptismal covenant. It is a commitment that requires us to follow the Saviour’s example, to serve, to love, and to witness of Him in all that we do. The waters of baptism mark the start of this covenant relationship, but it is a relationship that continues each day as we strive to live in harmony with the will of God. For me, this passage from Mosiah serves as an important truth that baptism is not just about receiving a blessing for ourselves, but about entering into a sacred relationship with Heavenly Father and His people. It is about becoming part of the fold of Jesus, being willing to walk in the footsteps of the Saviour, and offering our lives in service to His cause. By remembering our baptismal covenant, we draw closer to Him, and we become instruments in His hands to bring light and hope to those around us.

The covenant we make at baptism is a call to a higher way of living. It is a call to follow our Saviour, to serve others, and to stand as His witnesses—always, in all things, and in all places. As I reflect on this, I feel grateful for the opportunity to renew that covenant each week at home through the sacrament, where I can recommit to living in the way He has shown us, trusting that His grace will sustain me in that effort.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.