In a similar way, we sign an agreement with God when we are baptized. Like many other contracts we sign, the Lord has drawn up the terms and it is up to us to sign on or walk away. If we sign on, we covenant to dedicate our lives to following Christ, to prepare for a remission of our sins and to take the name of Christ upon ourselves and become one with him. In return, we are promised that our sins will be remitted when we repent and we will be prepared to inherit all the Father has and live as he does in a kingdom of great glory.
The Lord protects this sacred ordinance with a clause of caution: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain;" he states, "for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain" (Exodus 20:7). In other words, if we do not perform our end of the agreement by repenting and striving to follow Christ, eternal law prevents him from taking our sins upon himself and it is as though we were baptized in vain. He commands us-- and pleads with us-- not to let this happen:
"For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink" (D&C 19:16-18).
There is a second agreement that occurs around the time of our baptism that we need to acknowledge for a complete understanding. Jesus taught Nicodemus: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven" (John 3:5). The Prophet Joseph Smith said it this way: "You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half-- that is, baptism of the Holy Ghost."
The scenario laid out in these quotes is similar to the situation college athletic programs face when signing young prospects. At some point in the recruitment process, the program and the athlete will agree to a letter of intent. These agreements state that the athlete intends to attend and play for a particular university and that the university intends to admit the athlete as a student and provide a scholarship for their education. Although they are not yet admitted, athletes agree to end their recruitment process and the university promises to save a scholarship for when they arrive.
Through baptism we express our intent to follow Christ and he expresses his intent to remit our sins, but it is through our confirmation and the reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost that we are sanctified and admitted into His Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We see this two-step process in the two-step renewal of these covenants through the bread and water of the sacrament. In partaking of the bread, we witness that we are "willing to take upon [ourselves] the name of [God's] Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given [us]; that [we] may always have his Spirit to be with [us]" (D&C 20:77, emphasis added). In partaking of the water, we witness that we "do always remember him... that [we] may have his Spirit to be with [us]" (D&C 20:79, emphasis added).
Each of us is familiar with the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost testifies of truth and is the voice by which many of our prayers are answered. He is a voice of conscience to all who do not drown him out and he gives us the direction and comfort we need for our lives. Through our confirmation, we covenant to act on our intent and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost is differentiated from our common experience with the Holy Ghost by at least three factors: cleanliness, companionship, and power.
First, though we can always repent of our sins, we are sanctified by the gift of the Holy Ghost. The prophet Nephi taught: "Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and Redeemer should do... For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost" (2 Nephi 31:17, emphasis added).
On a wilderness backpacking trip, a good pocket knife may be used for sharpening sticks, cleaning fish, preparing and eating food, first aid, and a dozen other things. If a hiker were to jump straight from cleaning a fish to removing a sliver from their finger, the bacteria and germs on the blade could cause a painful infection. Washing the knife in water alone may restore the blade's shine, but the flame of a campfire can sterilize the blade from bacteria and germs so it can be used to remove the sliver.
In a similar way, we are washed by baptism but it is the Holy Ghost that sanctifies us so we are perfectly clean from the sins that have tarnished our souls. We need this perfect cleansing to qualify for eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Because this sanctification comes by the Holy Ghost rather than by baptism, we can be cleansed again as often as we repent without being re-baptized.
Second, the gift of the Holy Ghost is a promise of constant companionship. Nephi taught: "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:5). Though we have all had the privilege of feeling the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the gift of the Holy Ghost is a right to revelation that can result in much more frequent inspiration.
Elder Boyd K. Packer has explained, "You can receive this great blessing-- to become familiar with the still, small voice and learn that this voice will tell you all things that you must do. The word we use to describe this communication is promptings, the way we feel. These promptings can come many times, through many experiences. That is the voice of the Lord speaking" (2003, emphasis in original). Through our baptism, the Lord promises to prepare us for eternal life in His kingdom. The more we learn to recognize and follow the voice of the spirit, the more we will feel his presence in our lives guiding us in all things.
Finally, the gift of the Holy Ghost is the power to speak with the tongue of angels. Nephi taught, "Wherefore, my beloved bretheren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism-- yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel" (2 Nephi 31:13, emphasis added).
Nephi also taught that "angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, wherefore they speak the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32). Therefore, to speak with the tongue of angels is to share inspired testimony, by the power of the Holy Ghost, to bring others to Christ. Those who are baptized and confirmed are promised that they will have power in their testimony if they will open their mouths and share that testimony with others. Just as receiving inspiration, our ability to testify with power improves as we practice doing it.
With our baptism we make a covenant with God. We affirm that we are willing to be a disciple of Christ and that we will strive to remember our Savior and repent often. Through confirmation, we enter an agreement that seals the deal we made at baptism. We become a member of His Church, with all of the blessings and responsibilities of that membership, and we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is a gift of sanctification, of guidance, and of power. In essence, we are given all we need to return to live with our Heavenly Father and commanded, with all the feeling of a loving parent, to do our part to make it home.
This is a contract that is easy to sign. It may not always be easy to fulfill, but the terms of the agreement specify that the rewards are in exchange for our genuine effort regardless of life circumstances or ability to complete your side of the deal. See if you can get that deal at a members-only warehouse.