The Baptismal Covenant
by Joseph Warren Grammer
by Joseph Warren Grammer
The Lord’s people are a covenant people. They always have been. Covenants are sacred, and God greatly blesses and gives special endowments to those who freely covenant with Him and unflinchingly keep those covenants. But what is the covenant of Baptism? Of what does it consist and when is it made? Hopefully, this chapter will help answer these questions.
Partaking of the Sacrament
We are taught that we give approval to the sacramental prayer when we say “Amen” to that prayer, and that it is a renewal of our baptismal covenant. So, to start, let’s review the prayer offered upon the emblems of the sacrament as pertaining to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The prayer offered upon the bread and wine can be found in both the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon.
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. (D&C 20:77; Moro. 4:3.)
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. (D&C 20:79; Moro. 5:2.)
These prayers are covenants when members of the Church respond to them by saying “Amen” at their conclusion. Such a response is a renewing of the baptismal covenant. That covenant, as witnessed by the sacramental prayer, contains the following points of commitment by baptized members of the Church. Those partaking of the sacrament promise to: (1) remember the body of the Son that was broken, and His blood that was shed; (2) witness unto God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ; (3) promise to always remember what the Savior did; and (4) to keep the commandments of Christ. Our Father’s part of the covenant is that He promises those who live up to their end of the covenant that they will “always have His Spirit to be with them.”
Of course there are some things that are implied in this covenant, although not spelled out in their entirety. When we remember the body and blood of the Son, it is expected that we do so with reverence and gratitude, with a broken heart and contrite spirit, realizing that He suffered and did something for us that we could not do for ourselves. When we witness to the Father that we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ, we are promising the Father that we will live as Jesus would have us live so others will not have to question whether we are disciples of Jesus Christ or not—this is a promise to the Father. It is letting our light shine without hiding it under a bushel, being ashamed of the gospel of Christ. When we promise to always remember Him, it is expected that we never lose sight of His being involved in every aspect of our daily lives, and that whatever we have in life, He has given us. When we keep His commandments, we are expected to do just that, keep ALL of His commandments, which of course include the first and second greatest commandments. We are to keep Him foremost in our minds, knowing that where we go, He goes, and whatever we do, He is there with us.
Although we are supposed to be renewing the covenants of baptism when we partake of the sacrament, is that all there is to the covenant of baptism? Technically it could be considered so. When we consider the four points just mentioned in the sacramental prayers, they could be construed as containing everything else that might be mentioned elsewhere, for the first and second greatest commandments encompass all other commandments. However, a summation of the baptismal covenant, as contained in the prayers upon the emblems of the sacrament, is not the covenant of baptism itself. It is only the renewing of that covenant. If not the actual covenant of baptism, then what is the baptismal covenant?
Covenant of Baptism—What Is It?
There is no one place where we can find the terms of the covenant that is to be made at baptism. In fact, and regardless of what is taught in church, we partake of the sacrament NOT to renew any “baptism” covenant. We do it in “REMEMBRANCE” of His life and sacrifice. In Luke we read: “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20.) How can a covenant be renewed if no covenant was made in the first place. For example, how many eight-year olds make a covenant with the Lord before their baptism, other than to promise the Bishop they will obey their mommy and daddy, pay tithing, live the word of wisdom, etc.? Not very many!
Nowhere can we read something such as, “This is the baptismal covenant,” or any thing close to it, and then have the terms spelled out for us—except, perhaps, D&C 20:37 and Mosiah 18:7-17, which seem to come close (scriptures we will discuss shortly). Our commitment to the Lord is a personal thing, and a covenant with God MUST be on an individual and personal basis. Even those covenants made as a group in the temple are to be individual and personal in nature. However, ALL who are baptized SHOULD covenant with the Lord at baptism. And there are, however, a few basic things written down that all members are expected to include in such a covenant.
In reading through D&C 20 we run across some of these items in verse 37, before we get to verses 77 and 79 which contain the sacramental prayers. Verse 37 reads as follows: “And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.” (D&C 20:37.)
The first thing that we find contained in verse 37 is a commandment to the Church. Those desiring to be baptized are commanded to: (1) humble themselves before God; (2) desire to be baptized; (3) have a broken heart and contrite spirit; (4) witness before the Church that they have truly repented of all their sins; (5) be willing to take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ; (6) be determined to serve Him to the end; and (7) truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins. It is only after the making of the baptismal covenant, which contains these elements, that one receives baptism and is admitted into the Church.
From Mosiah 21:32-35 we get a good indication of what the covenant of baptism consists. From the book of Mosiah we find that King Limhi, and many of his people, had entered into a covenant with God to serve him and keep his commandments, and that they were “desirous to be baptized as a witness and a testimony that they were willing to serve God with all their hearts.”
Let’s consider the people of Alma. Before King Limhi and his people accepted baptism, a covenant of baptism had already been established. After Alma fled from wicked King Noah into the wilderness, he taught his followers and set forth such a covenant. It is interesting that the heading to chapter 18 of Mosiah, in our current edition of the Book of Mormon, states that Alma “set forth the covenant of baptism.” Therefore, that which follows can be considered the covenant of baptism, or at least part of that covenant if not the whole of it.
Within the verses of Mosiah 18:7-17 we find the terms of the baptismal covenant. Those of us who desire baptism are to: (1) be desirous to enter the fold of God; (2) be called his people; (3) be willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; (4) mourn with those that mourn; (5) comfort those that stand in need of comfort; (6) stand as witnesses of God at all times; (7) stand as a witness of God in all things; (8) stand as a witness of God in all places that we are in; (9) stand as a witness of God even until death. If we are willing to so covenant, then we are commanded to: (10) be baptized in the name of the Lord as a witness that we have “entered into a covenant with him”; and (11) serve Him and keep His commandments. And if we are willing to do these things, we may be “redeemed of God, be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that [we] may have eternal life,” and have His Spirit more abundantly upon us.
It is delightful to consider that when the people of Alma heard the terms of the covenant, they “clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.” (Mosiah 18:11.) I wonder how many of us have been so moved by the Spirit that we did that—clapped our hands because of our joy, and exclaimed, “This is the desire of our hearts”?
In speaking to the people of Gideon Alma said, “ye must repent, and be born again,... therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins.” He taught that we must “fear not, and lay aside every sin.” He also said, “show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.” From Alma we learn that we are to: (1) repent; (2) be born again; (3) lay aside every sin; (4) enter into a covenant to keep His commandments; and (5) witness it by being baptized unto repentance. Alma said that when we are baptized unto repentance we are washed from our sins, that we may have faith on the Lamb of God, and that we can receive eternal life. (Alma 7:14-16.)
Verse 14 points out that we must be baptized unto repentance, and have our sins washed away, BEFORE we can have faith in Jesus Christ. This is so true. Without repentance and baptism, we cannot hope for salvation, for we have not covenanted with Him for such. But after such repentance and baptism we can hope and have faith that Christ will live up to His end of the covenant and apply His atoning blood in our behalf that we might be saved in His Father’s kingdom.
Let’s consider now, that which is found in Moroni 6:1-4. Within these four verses we find some of the same elements of the baptismal covenant as we found elsewhere. The verses emphasize the fact that before baptism the people had to meet certain qualifications: (1) They were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it; (2) they first came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit; (3) they first witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins; (4) they first took upon them the name of Christ; and (5) none were received unto baptism unless they had a determination to serve him to the end. Moroni points out that after the people were received unto baptism (assuming they had entered into a covenant as prescribed) they were; (6) wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost; (7) numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and (8) their names were taken that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God.
Let’s review the terms of the baptismal covenant that we have considered. To make it easy, here is a consolidated list taken from the scriptures we have read on the subject. I have taken the liberty of numbering them for the sake of reference, but the numbering does not necessarily indicate any particular rank of order or importance.
1. Remember the body and blood of Jesus Christ. (D&C 20:77, 79.)
2. Be willing to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:77; Moro. 6:3.)
3. Be willing to always remember Him. (D&C 20:77.)
4. Bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light. (Mosiah 18:8.)
5. Mourn with those that mourn. (Mosiah 18:9.)
6. Comfort those that stand in need of comfort. (Mosiah 18:9.)
7. Stand as a witness of God at all times. (Mosiah 18:9.)
8. Stand as a witness of God in all things. (Mosiah 18:9.)
9. Stand as a witness of God in all places that you may be in. (Mosiah 18:9.)
10. Stand as a witness of God even until death. (Mosiah 18:9.)
11. Be baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before Him that you have entered into a covenant with him to keep his commandments. (D&C 20:77; Mosiah 18:10; Alma 7:15.)
Prerequisites of Baptism
A prerequisite is something that must precede or go before that which is to take place. In the case of baptism, the Lord requires that the one to be baptized accomplish something BEFORE he or she is baptized. We read earlier, in another chapter, that W. W. Phelps was to have “an eye single to [God’s] glory” before he was to be baptized. (D&C 55:1.) Because of this, it will be included as another prerequisite for baptism.
1. Humble yourself before God. (D&C 20:37.)
2. Desire to come into the fold of God and be called his people. (Mosiah 18:8.)
3. Bring forth fruit to show that you are worthy of baptism. (Moro. 6:1.)
4. Come forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (D&C 20:37; Moro. 6:2.)
5. Witness before the Church that you have laid aside every sin and truly repented of all your sins. (D&C 20:37; Alma 7:15; Moro. 6:2.)
6. Be willing to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:37; Moro. 6:3.)
7. Be determined to serve Him to the end. (D&C 20:37; Mosiah 18:10; Moro. 6:3.)
8. Have an eye single to the glory of God. (D&C 55:1.)
9. Truly manifest by your works that you have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of your sins. (D&C 20:37.)
Blessings of Entering Into a Baptismal Covenant
Our Father in Heaven has His part to play in the baptismal covenant, also. When we make our covenants with Him, and live up to our end of the bargain, He promises to live up to His end of the bargain. Some of His promises to us are that we may:
1. Have faith on the Lamb of God. (Alma 7:14.)
2. Be numbered among the people of the Church of Christ. (Moro. 6:4.)
3. Be remembered and nourished by the good word of God. Moro. 6:4.)
4. Be washed from our sins by the power of the Holy Ghost (Alma 7:14; Moro. 6:4.)
5. Always have His Spirit to be with us. (D&C 20:77, 79; Mosiah 18:10.)
6. Be redeemed of God. (Mosiah 18:9.)
7. Be numbered with those of the first resurrection. (Mosiah 18:9.)
8. Have eternal life. (Alma 7:16.)
This Do In Remembrance of Me
The sacrament, communion, or the Lord’s supper, was first instituted on the day of the Passover meal, a meal commemorating the Lord’s delivering of Israel from Egyptian bondage. This was no coincidence, for it was also to be the day the Lord delivered all of mankind from the bondage of sin. It was the day He was to suffer and shed great drops of blood in the garden to pay the price for sin. It was a time when His flesh was to be broken and He would experience great anguish.
Matthew records the event as follows: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt. 26:26-28.) Luke’s account reads: “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20.) And Mark gave a similar account.
Part of the real significance of partaking of the sacrament is often overlooked. Jesus had His flesh torn and bones broken for us, because He was willing to suffer all things for His Father’s children. He spilled His precious blood upon the ground to pay the price for sin so that we may not have to pay that horrible price. When we partake of the emblems of the sacrament, we are to REMEMBER HIM: we do it in “REMEMBRANCE” of what He suffered for us. But that is not all we are to do.
As true disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be like Him. When we partake of the sacrament we are renewing a covenant we should have made at the time of our baptism—a covenant to be like Him and do as He did. We are to also be willing to have our flesh torn and body broken for truth’s sake and the testimony of Jesus, and be willing to have our blood shed, if need be, for the salvation of our Father’s children. When He said, “Drink ye all of it,” He was telling us: if we accept the cup of commitment, we are to accept the whole cup and not just a few sips from it.
At one time Jesus said, “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” (John 6:56.) To make such a covenant with full purpose of heart, means that we can have Him dwell in us, and have His Spirit to be with us. Have we made such a covenant?
Self-examination
Now, let’s do a little self-examination. Making a covenant with God is a prerequisite for baptism. Did you—you who have been baptized—actually make a covenant with God, or was the act of being baptized assumed to be the covenant in itself? Did you really—mentally, spiritually, physically, knowingly, purposefully—go through the act of making a covenant with the Lord when you were baptized? Did you really hear the terms of the covenant in the first place? Hopefully all who are baptized are humble and desire baptism, but did you truly have a broken heart and contrite spirit? Did you witness before the Church—not just before an authority, but the Church—that you have truly repented of all your sins? Have you recognized, in the first place, that you are a sinner? And have you personally asked Jesus, with all the humility of your soul, to forgive you and take away your sins? Did you really take the name of Christ upon yourself, which means you behave as one of His children in ways that bring glory and honor to His name at all times, in all places, and in all things? Did you witness to the Father to this effect? Do you keep your promises, especially to the Father?
By saying “Amen” to the sacrament prayer, you promise to always remember Him and keep His commandments. Is He always in your conscious awareness, and do you keep all the commandments in the ways He expects you to? Did you actually make a covenant to serve Him at all times, in all places, and at all costs to the end of your days? Did you have an eye single to God’s glory at the time of your baptism? And did you manifest by your works before baptism that you have received a remission of your sins through the Spirit? If so, unto whom did you manifest that blessing, and how did you do it?
Before children are baptized, those who have at least reached the age of accountability, are they encouraged to make such a covenant at baptism and bring forth the prerequisite fruits before baptism? I am generalizing here of course, but I have not seen any evidence of that being so. The scriptures make no provision for their exemption from these requirements just because they are eight years of age. Yet, we are commanded to teach and prepare the children for such a covenant, which covenant goes far beyond just being a good boy or girl, and wanting to be baptized just because they turn eight years of age. (D&C 20:25-28.)
All are to experience at least a perfunctory interview before baptism by one having authority to do so. But how many have literally and deliberately covenanted with God, turning their lives over to Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit, determined to serve Him until the end of their days with all they have, and at all costs? How many of those baptized are truly converted to Jesus Christ? How many are not ashamed to be called a “Christian.”
Now I realize these are hard questions to consider, but if all of these things are commanded, have we been totally obedient to the Lord’s will? Have we received some into the Church without them making such covenants? Have there been those that have been baptized who have not met the prerequisites for baptism? And if there are those in the Church that did not meet the prerequisites, or make such covenants, how can they renew a covenant which was not made in the first place? These are sobering thoughts I’m sure. And I guess if we could all be honest about it, there’s no wonder then that the day will come when the Lord will have to cleanse His House by separating the wheat from the tares, and the sheep from the goats.
Our Personal Desire
It may take some deep self-analysis to see how we measure up to this commandment of making baptismal covenants. However, we cannot have a reason to believe that there are far-reaching and eternal benefits for such covenants unless we first desire something. We need to desire to serve the Lord above all else. If we have not entered into a covenant with Him to that effect at baptism, should we be entitled to the blessings of baptism? It appears to me, as I read the scriptures considered, that we should not even be baptized unless we have committed our lives to Him and brought forth fruits worthy of baptism. If we have not lived up to the terms of the covenant agreement, can we expect God to bestow His greatest blessings upon us? Remember, the Lord said through the Prophet Joseph Smith, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (D&C 82:10.) Not taking seriously all the elements of the baptismal covenant and living up to them, we have essentially rejected the fulness of the gospel. Consequently the Father has no obligation to live up to His end of the bargain.
Thanks to the grace and forgiving nature of Jesus Christ, all is not lost. Those who have not covenanted as the Lord required can still repent and totally give their lives over to Him. They can still purposefully—with sincerity and real intent, with a broken heart and contrite spirit, recognizing their total dependency upon him and none else—dedicate their entire lives to Him. They can still covenant to serve and be a witness of Him at all times, in all places, and at all costs until the end of their days. And they can still be numbered among His people. He will be not only just their God, but their friend.
Perhaps this discussion can be brought to a close by offering a few more introspective questions you can ask yourselves. Have I truly been spiritually born again of God—not just baptized, but born again? Have I experienced a mighty change in my heart? Can others see His image in my countenance? Have I consciously, purposely, knowingly, and with full intent accepted Christ into my life as my Savior and only way back to the Father? Am I willing to give everything I have, and ever hope to have, to Him, to bring glory and honor to His name? Am I willing to follow the promptings of the Spirit above all other influences? Would my actions and way of life provide enough evidence in a court of law to condemn me as being a true Christian and disciple of Jesus Christ? If there is not that evidence, there can be no hope regardless of your church affiliation or claim of belief.
The Lord taught that “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is heaven.” (Matt. 7:21; 3 Ne. 14:21.) We will not be able to abide the Kingdom of Heaven just because we profess or claim that Jesus is the Christ, for the devils also believe He is. We will only achieve that Kingdom if we DO the Father’s will, which is much more than a simple verbal utterance. Jesus did not say only to confess His name, but He taught, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15.) This simple commandment encompasses all the others. And when we obey the commandment to covenant with the Lord at the time of baptism, and live up to that covenant, we will have our sins washed away. We shall be numbered with His people, have His Spirit to be with us, be redeemed of God, receive of His fulness, and receive eternal life in the Father’s Kingdom.
Partaking of the Sacrament
We are taught that we give approval to the sacramental prayer when we say “Amen” to that prayer, and that it is a renewal of our baptismal covenant. So, to start, let’s review the prayer offered upon the emblems of the sacrament as pertaining to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The prayer offered upon the bread and wine can be found in both the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon.
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. (D&C 20:77; Moro. 4:3.)
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. (D&C 20:79; Moro. 5:2.)
These prayers are covenants when members of the Church respond to them by saying “Amen” at their conclusion. Such a response is a renewing of the baptismal covenant. That covenant, as witnessed by the sacramental prayer, contains the following points of commitment by baptized members of the Church. Those partaking of the sacrament promise to: (1) remember the body of the Son that was broken, and His blood that was shed; (2) witness unto God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ; (3) promise to always remember what the Savior did; and (4) to keep the commandments of Christ. Our Father’s part of the covenant is that He promises those who live up to their end of the covenant that they will “always have His Spirit to be with them.”
Of course there are some things that are implied in this covenant, although not spelled out in their entirety. When we remember the body and blood of the Son, it is expected that we do so with reverence and gratitude, with a broken heart and contrite spirit, realizing that He suffered and did something for us that we could not do for ourselves. When we witness to the Father that we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ, we are promising the Father that we will live as Jesus would have us live so others will not have to question whether we are disciples of Jesus Christ or not—this is a promise to the Father. It is letting our light shine without hiding it under a bushel, being ashamed of the gospel of Christ. When we promise to always remember Him, it is expected that we never lose sight of His being involved in every aspect of our daily lives, and that whatever we have in life, He has given us. When we keep His commandments, we are expected to do just that, keep ALL of His commandments, which of course include the first and second greatest commandments. We are to keep Him foremost in our minds, knowing that where we go, He goes, and whatever we do, He is there with us.
Although we are supposed to be renewing the covenants of baptism when we partake of the sacrament, is that all there is to the covenant of baptism? Technically it could be considered so. When we consider the four points just mentioned in the sacramental prayers, they could be construed as containing everything else that might be mentioned elsewhere, for the first and second greatest commandments encompass all other commandments. However, a summation of the baptismal covenant, as contained in the prayers upon the emblems of the sacrament, is not the covenant of baptism itself. It is only the renewing of that covenant. If not the actual covenant of baptism, then what is the baptismal covenant?
Covenant of Baptism—What Is It?
There is no one place where we can find the terms of the covenant that is to be made at baptism. In fact, and regardless of what is taught in church, we partake of the sacrament NOT to renew any “baptism” covenant. We do it in “REMEMBRANCE” of His life and sacrifice. In Luke we read: “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20.) How can a covenant be renewed if no covenant was made in the first place. For example, how many eight-year olds make a covenant with the Lord before their baptism, other than to promise the Bishop they will obey their mommy and daddy, pay tithing, live the word of wisdom, etc.? Not very many!
Nowhere can we read something such as, “This is the baptismal covenant,” or any thing close to it, and then have the terms spelled out for us—except, perhaps, D&C 20:37 and Mosiah 18:7-17, which seem to come close (scriptures we will discuss shortly). Our commitment to the Lord is a personal thing, and a covenant with God MUST be on an individual and personal basis. Even those covenants made as a group in the temple are to be individual and personal in nature. However, ALL who are baptized SHOULD covenant with the Lord at baptism. And there are, however, a few basic things written down that all members are expected to include in such a covenant.
In reading through D&C 20 we run across some of these items in verse 37, before we get to verses 77 and 79 which contain the sacramental prayers. Verse 37 reads as follows: “And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.” (D&C 20:37.)
The first thing that we find contained in verse 37 is a commandment to the Church. Those desiring to be baptized are commanded to: (1) humble themselves before God; (2) desire to be baptized; (3) have a broken heart and contrite spirit; (4) witness before the Church that they have truly repented of all their sins; (5) be willing to take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ; (6) be determined to serve Him to the end; and (7) truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins. It is only after the making of the baptismal covenant, which contains these elements, that one receives baptism and is admitted into the Church.
From Mosiah 21:32-35 we get a good indication of what the covenant of baptism consists. From the book of Mosiah we find that King Limhi, and many of his people, had entered into a covenant with God to serve him and keep his commandments, and that they were “desirous to be baptized as a witness and a testimony that they were willing to serve God with all their hearts.”
Let’s consider the people of Alma. Before King Limhi and his people accepted baptism, a covenant of baptism had already been established. After Alma fled from wicked King Noah into the wilderness, he taught his followers and set forth such a covenant. It is interesting that the heading to chapter 18 of Mosiah, in our current edition of the Book of Mormon, states that Alma “set forth the covenant of baptism.” Therefore, that which follows can be considered the covenant of baptism, or at least part of that covenant if not the whole of it.
Within the verses of Mosiah 18:7-17 we find the terms of the baptismal covenant. Those of us who desire baptism are to: (1) be desirous to enter the fold of God; (2) be called his people; (3) be willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; (4) mourn with those that mourn; (5) comfort those that stand in need of comfort; (6) stand as witnesses of God at all times; (7) stand as a witness of God in all things; (8) stand as a witness of God in all places that we are in; (9) stand as a witness of God even until death. If we are willing to so covenant, then we are commanded to: (10) be baptized in the name of the Lord as a witness that we have “entered into a covenant with him”; and (11) serve Him and keep His commandments. And if we are willing to do these things, we may be “redeemed of God, be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that [we] may have eternal life,” and have His Spirit more abundantly upon us.
It is delightful to consider that when the people of Alma heard the terms of the covenant, they “clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.” (Mosiah 18:11.) I wonder how many of us have been so moved by the Spirit that we did that—clapped our hands because of our joy, and exclaimed, “This is the desire of our hearts”?
In speaking to the people of Gideon Alma said, “ye must repent, and be born again,... therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins.” He taught that we must “fear not, and lay aside every sin.” He also said, “show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.” From Alma we learn that we are to: (1) repent; (2) be born again; (3) lay aside every sin; (4) enter into a covenant to keep His commandments; and (5) witness it by being baptized unto repentance. Alma said that when we are baptized unto repentance we are washed from our sins, that we may have faith on the Lamb of God, and that we can receive eternal life. (Alma 7:14-16.)
Verse 14 points out that we must be baptized unto repentance, and have our sins washed away, BEFORE we can have faith in Jesus Christ. This is so true. Without repentance and baptism, we cannot hope for salvation, for we have not covenanted with Him for such. But after such repentance and baptism we can hope and have faith that Christ will live up to His end of the covenant and apply His atoning blood in our behalf that we might be saved in His Father’s kingdom.
Let’s consider now, that which is found in Moroni 6:1-4. Within these four verses we find some of the same elements of the baptismal covenant as we found elsewhere. The verses emphasize the fact that before baptism the people had to meet certain qualifications: (1) They were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it; (2) they first came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit; (3) they first witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins; (4) they first took upon them the name of Christ; and (5) none were received unto baptism unless they had a determination to serve him to the end. Moroni points out that after the people were received unto baptism (assuming they had entered into a covenant as prescribed) they were; (6) wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost; (7) numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and (8) their names were taken that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God.
Let’s review the terms of the baptismal covenant that we have considered. To make it easy, here is a consolidated list taken from the scriptures we have read on the subject. I have taken the liberty of numbering them for the sake of reference, but the numbering does not necessarily indicate any particular rank of order or importance.
SOME ELEMENTS OF A COVENANT OF BAPTISM
1. Remember the body and blood of Jesus Christ. (D&C 20:77, 79.)
2. Be willing to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:77; Moro. 6:3.)
3. Be willing to always remember Him. (D&C 20:77.)
4. Bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light. (Mosiah 18:8.)
5. Mourn with those that mourn. (Mosiah 18:9.)
6. Comfort those that stand in need of comfort. (Mosiah 18:9.)
7. Stand as a witness of God at all times. (Mosiah 18:9.)
8. Stand as a witness of God in all things. (Mosiah 18:9.)
9. Stand as a witness of God in all places that you may be in. (Mosiah 18:9.)
10. Stand as a witness of God even until death. (Mosiah 18:9.)
11. Be baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before Him that you have entered into a covenant with him to keep his commandments. (D&C 20:77; Mosiah 18:10; Alma 7:15.)
Prerequisites of Baptism
A prerequisite is something that must precede or go before that which is to take place. In the case of baptism, the Lord requires that the one to be baptized accomplish something BEFORE he or she is baptized. We read earlier, in another chapter, that W. W. Phelps was to have “an eye single to [God’s] glory” before he was to be baptized. (D&C 55:1.) Because of this, it will be included as another prerequisite for baptism.
SOME PREREQUISITES TO BAPTISM
1. Humble yourself before God. (D&C 20:37.)
2. Desire to come into the fold of God and be called his people. (Mosiah 18:8.)
3. Bring forth fruit to show that you are worthy of baptism. (Moro. 6:1.)
4. Come forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (D&C 20:37; Moro. 6:2.)
5. Witness before the Church that you have laid aside every sin and truly repented of all your sins. (D&C 20:37; Alma 7:15; Moro. 6:2.)
6. Be willing to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:37; Moro. 6:3.)
7. Be determined to serve Him to the end. (D&C 20:37; Mosiah 18:10; Moro. 6:3.)
8. Have an eye single to the glory of God. (D&C 55:1.)
9. Truly manifest by your works that you have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of your sins. (D&C 20:37.)
Blessings of Entering Into a Baptismal Covenant
Our Father in Heaven has His part to play in the baptismal covenant, also. When we make our covenants with Him, and live up to our end of the bargain, He promises to live up to His end of the bargain. Some of His promises to us are that we may:
1. Have faith on the Lamb of God. (Alma 7:14.)
2. Be numbered among the people of the Church of Christ. (Moro. 6:4.)
3. Be remembered and nourished by the good word of God. Moro. 6:4.)
4. Be washed from our sins by the power of the Holy Ghost (Alma 7:14; Moro. 6:4.)
5. Always have His Spirit to be with us. (D&C 20:77, 79; Mosiah 18:10.)
6. Be redeemed of God. (Mosiah 18:9.)
7. Be numbered with those of the first resurrection. (Mosiah 18:9.)
8. Have eternal life. (Alma 7:16.)
This Do In Remembrance of Me
The sacrament, communion, or the Lord’s supper, was first instituted on the day of the Passover meal, a meal commemorating the Lord’s delivering of Israel from Egyptian bondage. This was no coincidence, for it was also to be the day the Lord delivered all of mankind from the bondage of sin. It was the day He was to suffer and shed great drops of blood in the garden to pay the price for sin. It was a time when His flesh was to be broken and He would experience great anguish.
Matthew records the event as follows: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt. 26:26-28.) Luke’s account reads: “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20.) And Mark gave a similar account.
Part of the real significance of partaking of the sacrament is often overlooked. Jesus had His flesh torn and bones broken for us, because He was willing to suffer all things for His Father’s children. He spilled His precious blood upon the ground to pay the price for sin so that we may not have to pay that horrible price. When we partake of the emblems of the sacrament, we are to REMEMBER HIM: we do it in “REMEMBRANCE” of what He suffered for us. But that is not all we are to do.
As true disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be like Him. When we partake of the sacrament we are renewing a covenant we should have made at the time of our baptism—a covenant to be like Him and do as He did. We are to also be willing to have our flesh torn and body broken for truth’s sake and the testimony of Jesus, and be willing to have our blood shed, if need be, for the salvation of our Father’s children. When He said, “Drink ye all of it,” He was telling us: if we accept the cup of commitment, we are to accept the whole cup and not just a few sips from it.
At one time Jesus said, “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” (John 6:56.) To make such a covenant with full purpose of heart, means that we can have Him dwell in us, and have His Spirit to be with us. Have we made such a covenant?
Self-examination
Now, let’s do a little self-examination. Making a covenant with God is a prerequisite for baptism. Did you—you who have been baptized—actually make a covenant with God, or was the act of being baptized assumed to be the covenant in itself? Did you really—mentally, spiritually, physically, knowingly, purposefully—go through the act of making a covenant with the Lord when you were baptized? Did you really hear the terms of the covenant in the first place? Hopefully all who are baptized are humble and desire baptism, but did you truly have a broken heart and contrite spirit? Did you witness before the Church—not just before an authority, but the Church—that you have truly repented of all your sins? Have you recognized, in the first place, that you are a sinner? And have you personally asked Jesus, with all the humility of your soul, to forgive you and take away your sins? Did you really take the name of Christ upon yourself, which means you behave as one of His children in ways that bring glory and honor to His name at all times, in all places, and in all things? Did you witness to the Father to this effect? Do you keep your promises, especially to the Father?
By saying “Amen” to the sacrament prayer, you promise to always remember Him and keep His commandments. Is He always in your conscious awareness, and do you keep all the commandments in the ways He expects you to? Did you actually make a covenant to serve Him at all times, in all places, and at all costs to the end of your days? Did you have an eye single to God’s glory at the time of your baptism? And did you manifest by your works before baptism that you have received a remission of your sins through the Spirit? If so, unto whom did you manifest that blessing, and how did you do it?
Before children are baptized, those who have at least reached the age of accountability, are they encouraged to make such a covenant at baptism and bring forth the prerequisite fruits before baptism? I am generalizing here of course, but I have not seen any evidence of that being so. The scriptures make no provision for their exemption from these requirements just because they are eight years of age. Yet, we are commanded to teach and prepare the children for such a covenant, which covenant goes far beyond just being a good boy or girl, and wanting to be baptized just because they turn eight years of age. (D&C 20:25-28.)
All are to experience at least a perfunctory interview before baptism by one having authority to do so. But how many have literally and deliberately covenanted with God, turning their lives over to Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit, determined to serve Him until the end of their days with all they have, and at all costs? How many of those baptized are truly converted to Jesus Christ? How many are not ashamed to be called a “Christian.”
Now I realize these are hard questions to consider, but if all of these things are commanded, have we been totally obedient to the Lord’s will? Have we received some into the Church without them making such covenants? Have there been those that have been baptized who have not met the prerequisites for baptism? And if there are those in the Church that did not meet the prerequisites, or make such covenants, how can they renew a covenant which was not made in the first place? These are sobering thoughts I’m sure. And I guess if we could all be honest about it, there’s no wonder then that the day will come when the Lord will have to cleanse His House by separating the wheat from the tares, and the sheep from the goats.
Our Personal Desire
It may take some deep self-analysis to see how we measure up to this commandment of making baptismal covenants. However, we cannot have a reason to believe that there are far-reaching and eternal benefits for such covenants unless we first desire something. We need to desire to serve the Lord above all else. If we have not entered into a covenant with Him to that effect at baptism, should we be entitled to the blessings of baptism? It appears to me, as I read the scriptures considered, that we should not even be baptized unless we have committed our lives to Him and brought forth fruits worthy of baptism. If we have not lived up to the terms of the covenant agreement, can we expect God to bestow His greatest blessings upon us? Remember, the Lord said through the Prophet Joseph Smith, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (D&C 82:10.) Not taking seriously all the elements of the baptismal covenant and living up to them, we have essentially rejected the fulness of the gospel. Consequently the Father has no obligation to live up to His end of the bargain.
Thanks to the grace and forgiving nature of Jesus Christ, all is not lost. Those who have not covenanted as the Lord required can still repent and totally give their lives over to Him. They can still purposefully—with sincerity and real intent, with a broken heart and contrite spirit, recognizing their total dependency upon him and none else—dedicate their entire lives to Him. They can still covenant to serve and be a witness of Him at all times, in all places, and at all costs until the end of their days. And they can still be numbered among His people. He will be not only just their God, but their friend.
Perhaps this discussion can be brought to a close by offering a few more introspective questions you can ask yourselves. Have I truly been spiritually born again of God—not just baptized, but born again? Have I experienced a mighty change in my heart? Can others see His image in my countenance? Have I consciously, purposely, knowingly, and with full intent accepted Christ into my life as my Savior and only way back to the Father? Am I willing to give everything I have, and ever hope to have, to Him, to bring glory and honor to His name? Am I willing to follow the promptings of the Spirit above all other influences? Would my actions and way of life provide enough evidence in a court of law to condemn me as being a true Christian and disciple of Jesus Christ? If there is not that evidence, there can be no hope regardless of your church affiliation or claim of belief.
The Lord taught that “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is heaven.” (Matt. 7:21; 3 Ne. 14:21.) We will not be able to abide the Kingdom of Heaven just because we profess or claim that Jesus is the Christ, for the devils also believe He is. We will only achieve that Kingdom if we DO the Father’s will, which is much more than a simple verbal utterance. Jesus did not say only to confess His name, but He taught, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15.) This simple commandment encompasses all the others. And when we obey the commandment to covenant with the Lord at the time of baptism, and live up to that covenant, we will have our sins washed away. We shall be numbered with His people, have His Spirit to be with us, be redeemed of God, receive of His fulness, and receive eternal life in the Father’s Kingdom.
