Baptism is a covenant. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines covenant as "a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action."
I plan to teach my CTR 5 class the promises of both side of the baptismal covenant. This covenant is between God and his child, living in mortal life. This covenant is the first of many in the Gospel path to obtain mortal and immortal joy.
First I will list the promises God gives as the following:
Eternal life, the greatest gift of God, is an eternal family with your spouse. Your children in time can be sealed to you too, if you obtain all the covenants of the Gospel and remain faithful to the end. The blessed and joyous life of eternal life is the life of Heavenly Father, and it is unimaginable. Faithful members of the Church will live in the presence of Heavenly Father.
Arising during the first resurrection is obtaining your body again; however, it is in a perfect and immortal state. Imagine yourself flawless and perfect multiplied by infinity. This is celestial glory.
God will bless you temporally. The blessing are not only for after this life. He will provide the means for you to be temporally successful. He does not want you to be poor. The life of people who follow the Gospel have lightened burdens.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is another great gift that God gives man in mortality. It includes the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, who is the member of the Godhead. The fruits of spirit are the following: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, (&) temperance" (Galatians 5:22).
The remission of your sins is a gift that I think might be overlooked. I dislike having trespassed against God or man, seeking to resolve the issue quickly. Imagine that one never felt forgiven for all their sins and trespasses. This is most of the world's state. I should be a greater missionary sharing what I have, but I have not figured out how to share it well. You can forgive and be forgiven.
The privilege of being spiritually reborn was listed in the 'True to the Faith' book. It is a privilege to be baptized by one, holding the priesthood authority of God; however, you emerge from being buried in the water and arise to a Godly life, following his path.
A greater power to change comes of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I believe that all change to goodness is a manifestation of the Holy Ghost in an individual's life to change their heart. There is great power in the atonement and power of God, for "With God, nothing is impossible."
Access to blessings of the priesthood are abundant for members of the Kingdom of God. The priesthood is a patriarchal order. Patriarchal blessings are basically a personal letter from Heavenly Father to an individual. Fathers can bless their children with comfort and counsel with blessings of God, and bless their children in times of sickness and affliction according to God's will. The homes of people are blessed by the priesthood to be sanctuaries from the world. There are many more blessings.
Guidance from God comes from the Holy Ghost as a constant companion and revelation is more a normal occurrence, since individuals are blessed with deeper relationships with God.
People promise God the following things:
To take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ
Follow Savior's example
Remember & keep his commandments
Serve him to the end
Separate yourself from the world
Stand as a witness of God at all times, and in all things and in all places"
Keep your thoughts, language, and actions pure
Seek wholesome entertainment
Dress modestly
Stay away from pornography, gambling, drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
Serve man
Bear one another burdens
"Willing to mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort"
Humble yourself before God
Daily prayer
I don't have time to expound on God's requirements of us, but I thought to add that the requirements of man before baptism is the following:
Faith in Jesus Christ and his restored church on earth through his prophets.
Give up the world
Give up the natural man
Repent
"And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;
And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God." (Moroni 8:25-26)
