Mosiah 18

The Baptismal Covenant

Some decisions are so important that they can affect everything else in our lives. Making a covenant with God through the ordinance of baptism is one of those decisions. Alma taught his people by the waters of Mormon about the covenant we make with God when we are baptized. This lesson can help you better understand the baptismal covenant and how it can influence your relationship with God and others.

Your baptism

To begin your study today, think about your baptism and try to remember details from that day. If you have not yet been baptized, reflect on what you know about baptism or what you remember from having attended a baptism.

• What are your favorite memories from that day? How did you feel?

• How has your decision to be baptized influenced your relationship with God and other people?

Alma teaches the words of Abinadi

Mosiah 18 contains the account of Alma, who was once one of King Noah’s priests, teaching the words of Abinadi to others. Alma was forced to teach in secret because King Noah wanted to kill him for believing Abinadi’s testimony of Jesus Christ.

Read Mosiah 18:1–7, looking for what Alma taught the people.

• What did Alma teach about the Savior after hearing Abinadi’s testimony?

• Why do you think Alma chose to teach what he did in these verses?

The baptismal covenant

After teaching the people about redemption through Jesus Christ, Alma taught about the importance of baptism. From his teachings we can learn that when we are baptized, we enter into a covenant with God. As you continue to study Alma’s teachings, ponder what you know about the covenant we make at baptism and renew each time we take the sacrament, as well as any questions you might have. Prayerfully seek to better understand how this covenant can influence your relationship with God and others.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained what a covenant is:

A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God (see Bible Dictionary, “Covenant,” 651). In these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments. (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Power of Covenants,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 20)

In Mosiah 18:8–10, Alma described the covenant of baptism. Read Mosiah 18:8–10 and consider marking what we commit to do when we are baptized and, in a different color or style, marking the blessings that Heavenly Father offers us.

Mosiah 18:8–10 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will have an opportunity in the next lesson to practice applying the doctrine taught in this passage to a question or situation.

• What do you think it means to “mourn with those that mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort”? (verse 9).

• What are some ways we can “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places”? (verse 9). Whom do you know that is a good example of doing this?

• How have you seen God bless you or others with the promises He makes with us through baptism?

Keeping your baptismal covenant

To help you see how to better keep your baptismal covenant, you may want to watch the following videos, looking for examples of keeping the promises Alma described in Mosiah 18:8–10. The videos are available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• “No Cussing Club” (4:56)

• “Eyes to See” (from time code 4:55 to 6:53)

• “Dayton’s Legs” (3:02)

• Which words and phrases from verses 8–10 did you see demonstrated?

Choose at least one of the promises we make at baptism that Alma shared in Mosiah 18:8–10. For example, you might choose “bear one another’s burdens” (verse 8) or “keep his commandments” (verse 10).

1. Record which promise(s) you chose to focus on and answer at least three of the following questions:

   • What are some ways a teenager could keep that promise?

   • Why do you think Heavenly Father included that as part of our baptismal covenant?

   • How has the Savior shown through example how to keep that promise?

   • When have you or someone you know kept that promise? What have you learned from those experiences?

Take some time to record in your journal how you feel you are doing at keeping the baptismal promises Alma shared in Mosiah 18:8–10. How have you successfully kept some of these promises? In what situations could you more intentionally keep one of them? How do you think it will affect your relationship with the Lord and with other people if you do?

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Why is it important to understand my baptismal covenant?

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

I have noted throughout my life that when people come to fully understand the blessings and the power of their baptismal covenant, whether as new converts or as lifelong members of the Church, great joy comes into their lives and they approach their duties in the kingdom with contagious enthusiasm. (“Alma the Elder: A Role Model for Today,” in Heroes from the Book of Mormon [1995], 84)

Mosiah 18:14. Did Alma baptize himself?

President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained:

We may conclude that Alma held the priesthood before he, with others, became disturbed with King Noah. Whether this is so or not makes no difference because in the Book of Mosiah it is stated definitely that he had authority [see Mosiah 18:13]. If he had authority to baptize that is evidence that he had been baptized.

Therefore, when Alma baptized himself with Helam that was not a case of Alma baptizing himself, but merely as a token to the Lord of his humility and full repentance. (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., 5 vols. [1957–66], 3:203)

How can I keep my covenant to care for others?

Sister Sharon Eubank of the Relief Society General Presidency said:

As baptized members of the Church, we are under covenant to care for those in need. Our individual efforts don’t necessarily require money or faraway locations; they do require the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a willing heart to say to the Lord, “Here am I; send me.” (Sharon Eubank, “I Pray He’ll Use Us,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 55)