Recently I have been able to help prepare someone to make and keep sacred covenants. As I taught her about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the sacred covenants that she would make with her Heavenly Father, I thought a lot about the covenants I too made with my Heavenly Father. I am sure when I was 8 I didn't completely understand the covenants but I know that I love Jesus Christ and I wanted to follow His example! Overtime I have come to understand more about the covenants I've made and what it really means to keep them. And since I have had so many opportunities to help others prepare to make and keep sacred covenants, I've thought a lot to myself the question: Am I keeping my covenants?
During a zone conference on my mission I was taught that most people don't break their covenants but not a lot of them are keeping them either. When I first heard this I was a little defensive thinking if we don't break them then we are keeping them! As they talked more about the difference it started making more sense to me.
Lets talk about the covenants we make at baptism:
First, we promise to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.
Mosiah 5:8-10 reads:
8 And under this head ye are made afree, and there is bno other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other cname given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should dtake upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.
10 And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some aother name; therefore, he findeth himself on the bleft hand of God.
Taking upon ourselves the mane of Jesus Christ is much more than claiming we believe in Him, its showing in our actions that we know Him and love Him! Its putting His will before ours. Its developing attributes that He has and having them become part of who we are. Its the only way for our salvation.
Second, we promise to keep the commandments.
"Your baptismal covenant is a commitment to come into God’s kingdom, separating yourself from the world and standing as a witness of God “at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9). Your efforts to stand as a witness of God include everything you do and say. Strive always to remember and keep the Lord’s commandments. Keep your thoughts, language, and actions pure. When you seek entertainment such as movies, television, the Internet, music, books, magazines, and newspapers, be careful to watch, listen to, and read only those things that are uplifting. Dress modestly. Choose friends who encourage you to reach your eternal goals. Stay away from immorality, pornography, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Keep yourself worthy to enter the temple."
Growing up I always thought the commandments just restricted me from having any fun! It wasn't until I made mistakes that I learned that the commandments are there because our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to protect us. They are there to help us stay on the right path back to our loving Heavenly Father.
Third, we promise to serve the Lord.
President Thomas S. Monson said:
“We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. … We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.”
When the prophet Alma taught about the baptismal covenant, he said that we should be “willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light” and “willing to mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:8–9).
A great example of this is devoted visiting teachers return month after month, year after year to the same uninterested, somewhat critical sister. When priesthood holders are always ready and righteously looking to use the priesthood to help others.
A great example to me are my parents. They taught me so much by their example. There would be a phone call and a few minutes my dad would be leaving dressed up in a white shirt and tie to go give someone a blessing. My parents constantly reached out to people to be their friends even though no one would show their gratitude for my parents.One of my favorite stories was when I was with my mom one night and we went to costco. It had been a long day and we were both tired. When we first walked into costco my mom noticed this man and just started talking to him and asked if he needed anything. Well he ended up needing a ride to the airport and my mom agreed. I could tell that this man was lonely and sad inside. By the time we got to the airport though he had a smile on his face. I know because of the love my mom has for the Savior, the way she sees all the people around her is like the Savior does! I know what my mom did was such a simple thing, but its those simple things that make the biggest difference. The love and compassion my mom has for people isn't something the has to put a lot of effort into anymore because over the years she has done it and its now part of who she has become.
Keeping our covenants is a daily effort. I know as we strive to to keep our covenants, keeping them will be part of who we become.
I am so grateful for my parent's example and all they have taught me. I am so grateful for the Spirit and the confirmation I've received that I know the Book of Mormon and Bible are the word of God. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet called of God to help lead us back to our Heavenly Father.
