I Will Make and Keep My Baptismal Covenant

Baptism is a precious gift from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism, we are cleansed of our sins, become members of the Lord’s Church, and qualify to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. We make sacred promises to Heavenly Father, and He promises us blessings in return. As you prayerfully read the scriptures on this poster, you will learn about these promises, or covenants.

You may have already been baptized, or you may still be preparing for this wonderful experience. Either way, we invite you to take a year’s journey on the path Heavenly Father has laid out for us. You will travel through preparation for baptism, baptism itself, and the lifelong keeping of covenants. You will learn to recognize some of the signposts that help us travel safely. Invite your whole family to come along. This activity will help prepare you for the real journey that follows the Savior’s footsteps and leads to eternal life.

1. Turn the page, open the staples, remove the poster, then reclose the staples.

2. Cut out the three picture strips at the side of the poster and place them in an envelope large enough to hold them without bending them.

3. Mount the poster on lightweight cardboard (optional), cut slits along the dashed lines in the billboard and each month’s path segment, and hang the poster up. Tape the open envelope to the bottom or back of the poster so that the picture strips can easily be removed during the year.

4. From behind, insert the left end of the first picture strip though the two slits in the billboard so that the January picture can be seen. Each month, advance the strip one frame to the left. In May, replace it with the next strip, and do it again in September.

5. Cut out the double car at the side of the poster without cutting the back bumper hinge. Fold the car at the back bumper hinge so that it can travel in either direction on the poster. (If you wish, you can draw the members of your family in the car.) Insert the attached tab, with the car facing right, in the slot on the space marked “January.”

6. At the first of each month, read the theme and the scripture and move the car to the slot for that month. Each billboard picture illustrates a Book of Mormon story that relates to the Sharing Time monthly theme. Read the story in the Friend for that month (see Contents—“Poster Story”). Prepare the flannel-board figures and use them to tell the story in family home evening or in a Primary talk. If you do not have the Friend, read the scripture referred to on each picture. You may wish to read the scripture even if you do have the Friend.

January
Why Is It Important for Me to Be Baptized?
And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God (3 Ne. 11:33).
2 Nephi 31

February
Why Am I Baptized When I Am Eight Years Old?
And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands (D&C 68:27).
Moroni 8:1–26

March
What Happens When I Am Baptized?
And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters (Mosiah 5:7).
3 Nephi 11:1–28

April
What Do I Promise Heavenly Father When I Am Baptized?
They are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him (D&C 20:77).
Mosiah 18:1–17

May
What Does Heavenly Father Promise Me When I Am Baptized?
And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you (3 Ne. 18:7).
3 Nephi 11:33–38; 12:1; 18:36–37; 19:1–22; 26:17–21; 27:19–20)

June
How Will the Holy Ghost Help Me Keep My Baptismal Covenant?
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 Ne. 32:5).
4 Nephi 1:1–23

July
How Does Partaking of the Sacrament Help Me Remember My Baptismal Covenant?
This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19).
3 Nephi 18:1–33

August
How Can “My Gospel Standards” Help Me Keep My Baptismal Covenant?
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments (1 Jn. 2:3).
Alma 53:16–21

September
What Other Special Helps Has Heavenly Father Given Me to Help Me Keep My Baptismal Covenant?
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105).
Enos 1

October
How Do I Show That I Am Keeping My Baptismal Covenant?
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).
Alma 17–18

November
How Can We Help Each Other Keep Our Baptismal Covenant?
Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Tim. 4:12).
1 Nephi 7:6–21

December
How Will Keeping My Baptismal Covenant Help Me Follow Jesus Throughout My Life?
And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 14:7).
Moroni 10:3–5