I've been working with students in the prebaptismal
class trying to help them understand just
what it is they are doing when they ask to be
baptized.
There probably isn't a better invitation statement in the scriptures than that shared by Alma at the waters of Mormon as recorded in Mosiah 9:39- 42.
"And now, as ye are desiours to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they might be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even unto death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life; now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?"
We have talked about promises -- blessings with conditions -- and again this is another important one that they have learned about.
The people at the time of Alma responded by clapping their hands for joy and exclaiming, "This is the desire of our hearts."
I hope those of us who have made this covenant long ago as well as those about to do so can join the saints of that time in saying that this covenant is turly all of our heart's desires.