Ordinances and covenants give you access to God’s blessings

Ordinances point you to Jesus Christ. An ordinance is a sacred ceremony with symbolic meanings that teach about Jesus Christ. The sacrament, for example, is not just bread and water. It reminds us of the Savior.

Covenants are a sign of God’s love, trust, and expectations. They take your relationship with God to a deeper level. Making a covenant shows that you love God and are committed to Him. You can trust Him, and He can trust you. With that deeper commitment comes greater access to His power and help as you keep your covenants.

You make covenants with God when you are baptized and confirmed and when you partake of the sacrament. When you are baptized, you promise to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, serve Him, and keep His commandments throughout your life. During the sacrament, you also promise to always remember Him. These are your promises. As you are willing to keep them, God promises to give you the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.

Treat the sacrament like a sacred gift. Show your commitment to Jesus Christ by preparing for a sacred experience during the sacrament. Ponder what you can do to make this ordinance a spiritual highlight of your week.

Look for the Savior in the ordinances. When you watch or participate in an ordinance, ask yourself, “What do I learn from this about Jesus Christ?” or “How does it bring me closer to Him?” Pay attention to what the Spirit teaches you.

Let your covenants guide your actions. When you have a choice to make, remember your covenant relationship with God. Be loyal to Him. Ask yourself: Does this align with my covenants? For example, do I love and minister to others, comfort people who need comfort, and stand as a witness of Christ—everywhere and always?

You can have power to overcome temptation, sin, and the trials of life. Making and keeping covenants gives you access to God’s power. With that power, you can face anything with confidence. Jesus Christ is your strength!

You can be clean and forgiven. Part of God’s promise to you for keeping your baptismal covenant is a remission of your sins. That means that as you repent and keep your promises with God, He will forgive you and help you improve.

You can have the Holy Ghost with you always. Another promise connected to baptism and the sacrament is the constant companionship of His Spirit and the ministering of angels. You never have to face your challenges alone. God never abandons His covenant children—you can count on that.

You can have the support of God’s covenant people. You belong to a community of covenant people in the Savior’s Church. You lift and encourage each other. You mourn together and rejoice together. You bear one another’s burdens. Your family, bishop, leaders, and other Church members are here to help you, and you can help them.