Keeping the Covenants We Make at Baptism

By Dwan J. Young

Primary General President

(Adapted from a September 9, 1984, general women’s meeting address. See Ensign, November 1984, pages 94–95.)

Baptism is the beginning of a new life for each one of us, a life of purpose. The Lord is very clear about what it means to keep His commandments, come into His fold, and be called His people. His people 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.” (See Mosiah 18:8–9.)

There are countless stories of the faithfulness of children who are keeping the promises that they have made at baptism.

Christina was such a girl. When her Primary teacher’s husband died, Christina showed great concern. As soon as she heard the sad news, she went to her teacher and told her not to worry, that she would check in on her every day to make sure that she was all right. And she did. She often took fresh vegetables from the garden to cheer her teacher up, to let her teacher know that she cared. Christina truly comforted one who needed comfort.

From Idaho comes the story of Jonathan, who went to school in the cold weather wearing his warm hat. When he got to school, he noticed that another boy’s ears were frostbitten because he had had to wait so long in the cold for the school bus to pick him up. On his own, Jonathan went to the telephone, called his mother, and asked if it would be all right to give the younger boy his hat because he needed it more. When we bear one another’s burdens, as Jonathan and Christina did, we are fulfilling the covenant we made at baptism.

Illustrated by Beth M. Whittaker