My Covenants
#1053 Hymns—For Home and ChurchLyrics
The Story Behind “My Covenants”
A melody that came to a Swedish mother-to-be waited eight years for its words — until her daughter's baptism gave it a reason.
A Melody Without Words
Around 2011, Hanna Josephine Saffer — one of seven children in a musical Swedish family, studying at a music university — was expecting her first baby. 'I was just filled with the joy and gratitude of expecting my first baby,' she recalled, 'and the melody just started coming.' It arrived in a rehearsal room, complete and insistent — but the words wouldn't settle. She set it aside.
Saffer had a history of songs finding their moments: on her mission in England, she and her companion composed a song for each person they taught who chose to be baptized, and performed it at the baptism.
Eight Years Later, a Baptism
In 2019, the baby the melody had welcomed was preparing to be baptized. Saffer returned to the tune, and this time — with her daughter's covenant approaching — the lyrics 'came with clarity and purpose.' The Swedish original is called 'Lilla barn' — 'little child.'
In June 2019, mother and daughter sang it together as a duet at the baptism, her older brother having transcribed the sheet music that very day — which was also the day her fifth child received a baby blessing. A family song in the fullest sense.
From Sweden to the Hymnbook
'My Covenants' was released February 26, 2026, as hymn #1053 — the notable international member submission of its batch, translated from Swedish. Saffer, who serves on the Swedish translation team for the very hymnbook that now carries her song, said simply: 'I felt so blessed to feel like this song is achieving its purpose. The Spirit can speak to people through it.'
Its subject is the covenant a child makes at baptism and the Helper sent to keep it: the Holy Ghost, promised to everyone who promises to follow Jesus Christ.
Did You Know?
- The melody came in 2011 while Saffer was expecting her first baby — the words came eight years later, for that same child's baptism.
- Mother and daughter sang it as a duet at the baptism, from sheet music transcribed that very day.
- The Swedish original is titled 'Lilla barn' — 'little child.'
- On her mission in England, Saffer wrote a song for every person she taught who chose to be baptized.
- She serves on the Swedish translation team of the very hymnbook that now includes her song.
Scripture Connections
- Mosiah 18:10 — The baptismal covenant — 'serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you.'
- 2 Nephi 32:5 — 'The Holy Ghost... will show unto you all things what ye should do' — the promised Helper of the covenant path.
- John 14:6 — The way the covenants follow: 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.'
Talk About It
Questions to spark a conversation with your family or Primary class:
- This song waited eight years for its words. Has something in your life made sense only later, when the moment finally came?
- What promises did you make (or will you make) at baptism? What did Heavenly Father promise back?
- Saffer wrote a song for each person she saw baptized. What could you make or give for someone's baptism day?
- How does the Holy Ghost help you keep the promises you've made?
Teaching Resources
Attribution
Music by: Hanna Josephine Saffer, 2019; arr. 2026
Text by: Hanna Josephine Saffer, 2019; English transl. 2026
Audio files from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints