The gospel principle that I am most grateful for is baptism because it can really change your life. In Elder Robert D. Hales’s October 2000 general conference talk, he said, “When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us his name is one of the most significant experiences we can have in life.” Baptism gives you the ability to start over, to choose Heavenly Father’s way, and to receive the gift of having the Holy Ghost with you always.
Photo by Diana Simumpande
I love how you can be baptized and start fresh. Everything is clean and new because all your sins are forgiven. When I was baptized, I felt ready to start a new day in my life. I was excited because baptism gave me a chance to be a better person and to make a covenant with Heavenly Father, promising to follow the Savior. When you start over without any sins, you can try even more to do kind things.
Once you choose to follow God’s plan by being baptized, you can come closer to him. You follow in Jesus’s footsteps. You walk on the path of righteousness. You do all you can to get closer to Heavenly Father. In Mosiah 21:35, it states, “They were desirous to be baptized as a witness and a testimony that they were willing to serve God with all their hearts.” I serve God in my life by praying often. When I pray, I can get comfort if I am scared, receive help with questions in my life, and take the opportunity to thank Heavenly Father for the many blessings I have. These daily prayers help me to stay close to him and his plan.
The last powerful gift of baptism I’ll mention is the gift of the Holy Ghost. After I was baptized, I was confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. One way the Holy Ghost helps me is that it teaches me to make good choices. For example, when I see people who need help, no matter how late I may be running, I feel a small feeling or hear a small voice gently nudging me to make the correct choice and serve them. The Holy Ghost also guides me to not say harsh words. I might be really angry with someone and think that I want to say mean words, but the Holy Ghost is right there reminding me to say kind things.
Baptism can help you have a new chance to be pure and clean. It can humble you, and if you are willing, bring you closer to the Lord. As we stay clean and fresh by repenting daily and choosing to follow God’s plan, we can have the Holy Ghost with us always. I am forever grateful that I was able to be baptized. It is something wonderful that Heavenly Father made so we can return to him. I hope others choose to be baptized so they can receive these same blessings I have been given.
—Ada Louise Faherty, age 10, Latter-day Saint Insights Contributor
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This article was selected as one of two winners of the Fall 2021 Thanksgiving writing contest for Latter-day Saint Insights. The work is original and reflects Ada’s real experiences. We are grateful for the contributions and encourage interested writers to participate in future submission contests.