Promises are more than mere words; they are commitments that define our character and integrity. In the Bible, we find numerous references that help us gain a better understanding of the significance of keeping our promises. One of the most compelling is found in Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, which states: “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” This passage clearly indicates the seriousness with which we should regard our promises, especially those made to the Lord. It is better not to make a promise than to make one and fail to fulfil it. Our covenants to God and our commitments to one another are sacred and should be honoured with the utmost sincerity and effort.
The Book of Mormon also provides us with some insights into the importance of keeping promises. In Mosiah 18:8-10, Alma speaks to the people at the waters of Mormon, inviting them to enter into a covenant with God: “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?”
Alma’s invitation is a call to make a solemn promise, a covenant with God, to serve Him and keep His Commandments. This covenant is not taken lightly; it is a lifelong commitment to follow the Lord and support one another. The fulfilment of this promise brings the blessings of the Spirit and the assurance of eternal life. Keeping promises, therefore, is an essential aspect of our discipleship. It reflects our faithfulness to God and our love for our fellow beings. When we honour our commitments, we demonstrate our reliability and trustworthiness, building strong relationships based on mutual respect and trust.
In our daily lives, we make many promises, both large and small. These promises can range from the covenants we make at baptism and in the temple to the everyday commitments we make to our families and friends. Each promise, regardless of its scale, carries weight and significance.
Let us remember that our Heavenly Father is the ultimate example of promise-keeping. He has made countless promises to His children, and He always fulfils them. As stated in Doctrine and Covenants 82:10, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” We also read in the Book of Isaiah, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God’s faithfulness to His promises provides us with a perfect model to emulate in our own lives.
May every one of us always strive to be like Heavenly Father by keeping our promises. Let us be diligent in fulfilling our commitments to Him and to each other. In doing so, we will not only strengthen our own integrity but also build a community of trust and faithfulness. May we be blessed with the strength and determination to honour our promises, knowing that as we do, we become more like our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled His promises to redeem us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
