Baptism

'Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.' Matthew 22:37-38

Kind, loving motivation behind obedience seems of more interest to God than perfect adherence. 'He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love' (1 John 4:8) Even in horrid guilt, love perpetuates brightness. It can always makes things better. Selfishness subdued, love is intrinsic faith in betterness perhaps unseen but so true. What power love holds in bringing out goodness. 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.' 1 Corinthians 2:9

Commandments from heaven come with the same love they should be lived by. Watching for love in thoughts and feelings is how we can recognise promptings from the Holy Spirit. This heavenly revelation comes with perfect empathy for personal situations and personality. Such empathy breeds love both received and reciprocated. 'For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.' Ephesians 3:14-19

Rejected or shallow love is often withheld action rather than words. Infinite sentimental poetry pours out everywhere unproven. Here is the stumbling block, will we love by word and deed? Commandments from heaven may be difficult or strange, requiring changes in habits and lifestyles; coming at times of peace when we see no need, or in crisis when knees more easily bend. Suspicion and bias encourages active avoidance of revelatory truth because of what it may require of us. But eventually even the deaf will hear and arrive at a crossroad. 'Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

'Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.' Acts 2:37-38

When we hear and are pricked in our heart, grasping the empowered moment we see and ask 'what shall we do?' is imperative. It can be fleeting. Idleness and fear can quickly resurface. Discipleship is a question of what we do now, not in the future. If we first love God it is easier to act when His instructions come. Step by faithful obedient step we can find and follow the covenant path.

The first step on this path to eternal life, and the gate by which we enter it is baptism. We may have followed a path of devotion to Christ and His Gospel before reaching this gate, but everyone will at some point need to decide whether they go through the one leading back to Father in Heaven. Ultimately it is the only way. 'Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' John 3:5

Unspeakable strives to express the joy and spiritual peace of following Jesus along this covenant path that begins with baptism. When we lay aside vanity and humbly accept 'a more excellent way' 1 Cor 12:31 'Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable' 1 Peter 1:8

I took lyrics for the song from words in the following scripture. It impresses me that Jesus's example was not just about being baptised, but by His actions showing love for Heavenly Father. Baptism is an action of love. In return we receive peace, descending like a dove through the Holy Spirit. 'Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments. Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove. And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.

'And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do...witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism' 2 Nephi 31:7-13

The spirit that accompanies baptism and music which testifies of Christ is unspeakable. Words cannot encapsulate it. By that unspeakable gift we can follow a path of faithful obedience with confidence and anticipation it will lead to glory beyond our expectations. 'God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost...which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels...a time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld,' Doctrine and Covenants 121:26-28

I would invite anyone who reads this who has not already received baptism to seek it out and begin on the covenant path. It is the beginning of a journey with the Holy Spirit as your constant companion. Nothing is better at showing your gifts, finding your purpose, strengthening your relationships, gaining knowledge and turning trials into blessings.

Free from the past there comes a joy unspeakable

A crowning gift

A strait and narrow way to Jesus

Love divine and bliss

Unspeakable

Alone all I thought was right

Shunned the light that gave me sight

Turned away from what to do

Lived the fables of my youth

Love says, follow me

Be baptised in faith

Love the Father

And do unspeakable

Actions of love

Saviour holy, but being holy

Humbly showed the way

Jesus holy, but being holy

Humbly showed the way

Unspeakable

Peace of a dove

Unspeakable

Actions of love