Scripture Sunday: Mosiah 18:11

I am thankful for the Book of Mormon and the way I feel when I study and ponder its words that testify of Christ. Latter-day Saints are often reminded of verses 8 through 10 in Mosiah. Alma is teaching a group of people before baptizing them, so the verses are also known as the baptismal covenant: 

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?

And then, when teaching a lesson in church, we usually stop there. However, verse 11 is my favorite one in the chapter!

And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

I love to see the word "joy" in the scriptures. These people (Mosiah 18:16 says that about 204 were baptized) wanted to bear each other's burdens and do all of the other things that Alma described. They understood that being baptized is a beginning. They clapped their hands for joy because they wanted to serve God and have his Spirit with them. They are great examples to me.