Saturday my ward had three convert baptisms: a father and his two sons. I was unable to attend the baptisms—I was cleaning the ward building with my family that morning—but witnessed their confirmations on Sunday.

The spirit that accompanied the confirmations was incredible; tears flowed freely from my eyes and I noted others around me also reached for tissues to dry their teary eyes. The wife and mother of these new converts, a formerly inactive member, also wept as her family received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

As I enjoyed the testimonies that followed, I thought about the decision of these brethren to receive baptism to my own baptism, and to those who received baptism from Alma at the waters of Mormon.

5 Now, there was in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees, where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches of the king.
6 And it came to pass that as many as believed him went thither to hear his words.
7 And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that 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 until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 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?
11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

(Mosiah 18:5-18)

This passage of scripture reminded me of my feelings when I made the decision to be baptized, and today reminds me of how I should continue to live my life as a member of the Lord’s church.