How I Became a Member of the LDS Church: Part 4

It was time for another family vacation. It was a long drive from Florida to Virginia, and having two adults and two teenagers in the car only made it seem a bit longer. Thankfully I had brought a long a copy of The Book of Mormon to read while we traversed the southeast states on I-95. The LDS missionaries had taught me most, if not all of the basic teachings of the church by this point. I had committed to follow all of the principles they highlighted. Of course, it's easy to commit to leading a virtuous and chaste lifestyle when dates were few and far in between so there was little temptation to deviate from the prescribed course. There was one principle that I avoided committing to; baptism. The missionaries instructed me regarding this on several occasions but I was very reluctant to commit to taking this step. It wasn't that I was unsure if it was right, and it wasn't that they didn't do a fine job of explaining the concept, it was simply a very big step and I knew I would follow through on it so careful consideration was needed. I am not the type of person who takes commitments lightly; if you can get me to commit to something I will follow through. Baptism was more than a single act, it would create covenant between me and Lord to always do my best to do whats right regardless of the consequences for the rest of my existence. Not by any means something to be taken whimsically.

By the time we were on the way to Virginia I had already completed the final official missionary discussion/lesson and I was obedient to all I was asked except for being baptism. I faithfully continued reading The Book of Mormon. I remember learning this was a true book of scripture by my prayer made in faith a few weeks earlier, and now was a great time to examine it by reading from the beginning. I made it this far before the words of Alma altered the course of my life for the better.

Mosiah, Chapter 18, versus 8-10

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?

These verses engaged me. I followed each word to the next and as they echoed in my mind I felt the Spirit build in my heart. By the end of the tenth verse my mind and heart were in accord with each other; I would be baptized upon my return home.