11

Mosiah 18:1–16

“Stand as Witnesses”

Purpose

To review our part of the baptismal covenant and the great promises the Lord has made to those who keep this covenant.

Before the Video

Readiness

Help your class focus on the meaning of their baptismal covenant in their daily lives. Help them to understand that when they were baptized they promised to do certain things. The following may be helpful:

• At what age do you suppose most young men make the commitment to serve a full-time mission?

• Even though young women do not have the obligation to serve a full-time mission, have they made a commitment to stand as witnesses of Christ?

• At what age do you think most people make the commitment to marry in the temple?

• Have you ever been faced with the decision of whether to help someone in need, especially if it was inconvenient?

• Have you already made a commitment to do all of these things?

Scripture Activity

Have students scan Mosiah 18:6–16 to discover our part of the baptismal covenant and the promises the Lord makes to those who keep this covenant. You may wish to list students’ insights on the board. The following chart may be helpful:

Our Part of the Covenant

• “Desirous to come into the fold of God” (v. 8)

• “Desirous … to be called his people” (v. 8)

• “Willing to bear one another’s burdens” (v. 8)

• “Willing to mourn with those that mourn” (v. 9)

• “Comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (v. 9)

• “Stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (v. 9)

• “Witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant” (v. 10)

• “Serve him and keep his commandments” (v. 10)

The Promises of the Lord

• “Redeemed of God” (v. 9)

• “Numbered with those of the first resurrection” (v. 9)

• “Have eternal life” (v. 9)

• “Pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you” (vv. 10, 13)

• “Grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ” (v. 13)

• “Filled with the grace of God” (v. 16)

Refer the class to the sacramental prayers in Moroni 4–5. What is our part of the covenant as stated in the sacramental prayers? (We witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments.) What is the Lord’s promise to us if we do these things? (We will always have His Spirit to be with us.)

Using the Video

“Stand as Witnesses” 7:42

“Look For” Activity

Suggest that the students look for things that Candace does to keep her baptismal covenant.

Show the Video

The video portrays true experiences from the life of Candace Taylor. As Candace prepares to attend a six-week summer ballet workshop, her father reminds her of her baptismal covenant, including her promise to stand as a witness for Christ at all times and in all places. While at the workshop, she shares her beliefs and gives a copy of the Book of Mormon to a friend.

After the Video

Discussion

In your discussion of the video, you may wish to ask questions like the following:

• What did Candace do to keep her baptismal covenant?

• How did she stand as a witness of Christ?

• What do you think Candace may have learned as she shared the gospel?

• In addition to missionary work, what are other ways we can stand as witnesses of Christ?

• If you are going to live up to your baptismal covenant to be a witness of Christ at all times and in all things and in all places, what are some things in your life you need to give up? What do you need to do that you are not doing?

Discussion

Review the Lord’s promises to those who keep their baptismal covenant (see Mosiah 18:9–10, 13, 16 and the chart in the previous scripture activity). Read Mosiah 18:2 with your class and discuss how the Savior’s Atonement relates to our baptismal covenant. (The promise of eternal life for those who keep their baptismal covenant is “brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.”) You may also wish to discuss what it means to renew our baptismal covenant each time we partake of the sacrament.