Baptism Talk

Today I will be attending the Baptism of my niece and I was asked to speak at her baptism.  This is what I prepared which will lead into the next person's talk on the Holy Ghost.

The Book of Mormon tells of a group of people who learned the gospel and were baptized at a place called Mormon. From the time of their baptism, they regarded Mormon as a place of beauty because while they were there, they “came to the knowledge of their Redeemer” (Mosiah 18:30). Strengthened by their testimonies and their baptismal covenant, they remained faithful to the Lord, even in times of intense trial (see Mosiah 23–24).

Like the people in this Book of Mormon account, you can rejoice as you remember your baptismal covenant and the Lord’s promises to you. You can find strength in the ordinance of baptism

We know that through baptism you become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  When you are baptized you show your willingness to follow the Savior’s example.  He too was baptized, even though He was without sin.  Everyone who seeks Eternal Life must follow the example of the Savior and be baptized.

When you are baptized you are making a baptismal covenant or a promise with Heavenly father.  You are promising to take upon yourself the name of Christ, keep His commandments, and serve Him always.  We are blessed to renew these covenants each time we take the sacrament. 

What does it mean to take the name of Christ upon us?  When you take His name on yourself you see yourself as his.  You seek what he wants rather than what you want or what the world wants. 

In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin explains why it is important to take the name of the Savior upon ourselves:

“There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take 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.

“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.

“And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God” (Mosiah 5:8–10).

The next promise you make is 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.  Keep yourself worthy to enter the temple.

Serving the Lord. The commandment to separate yourself from the things of the world does not mean that you should stay away from people. Part of the baptismal covenant is to serve the Lord, and you serve Him best when you serve the people around 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). Be kind and respectful to all people, following the example of Jesus Christ in the way you treat others.

If we do these things then there are some WONDERFUL promised blessing. 

First is the Constant Companionship of the Holy Ghost and to receive a remission for our sins.