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DIR Return to: Baptism (M001)
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#Post#: 10--------------------------------------------------
From: Gospel Principles
DIR By: RickBulow
Date: March 17, 2025, 8:34 pm
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The Commandment to Be Baptized
Why must we be baptized?
For teachers: Use questions at the beginning of a section to
start a discussion and send class members or family members to
the text to find more information. Use questions at the end of a
section to help class members or family members ponder and
discuss the meaning of what they have read and apply it in their
lives.
Today, as in the days of Jesus, there are certain principles and
ordinances of the gospel that we must learn and obey. A gospel
principle is a true belief or teaching. An ordinance is a rite
or a ceremony. The first two principles of the gospel are faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance. Baptism is the first
ordinance of the gospel. One of the instructions the Lord gave
His Apostles was, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
We Must Be Baptized for the Remission of Our Sins
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, repent, and are
baptized, our sins are forgiven through the Atonement of Jesus
Christ.
From the scriptures we learn that John the Baptist “did baptize
in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the
remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). The Apostle Peter taught,
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Following Paul’s
conversion, Ananias said to him, “Arise, and be baptized, and
wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16).
We Must Be Baptized to Become Members of the Church of Jesus
Christ
“All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be
baptized … that … have truly repented of all their sins … shall
be received by baptism into his church” (D&C 20:37).
We Must Be Baptized before We Can Receive the Gift of the Holy
Ghost
The Lord said, “If thou wilt turn unto me, and … repent of all
thy transgressions [sins], and be baptized, even in water, in
the name of mine Only Begotten Son, … ye shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost” (Moses 6:52).
We Must Be Baptized to Show Obedience
Jesus Christ was without sin, yet He was baptized. He said His
baptism was necessary “to fulfil all righteousness” (Matthew
3:15). The prophet Nephi explained that the Lord told him,
“Follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do … with
full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception
before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins,
witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you
the name of Christ, by baptism” (2 Nephi 31:12–13).
We Must Be Baptized to Enter the Celestial Kingdom
Jesus said, “Whoso believeth in me, and is baptized … shall
inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me, and
is not baptized, shall be damned” (3 Nephi 11:33–34). Baptism is
the gateway through which we enter the path to the celestial
kingdom (see 2 Nephi 31:17–18).
The Correct Mode of Baptism
How should we be baptized?
There is only one correct mode of baptism. Jesus revealed to the
Prophet Joseph Smith that a person having the proper priesthood
authority to baptize “shall go down into the water with the
person who has presented himself or herself for baptism. … Then
shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again
out of the water” (D&C 20:73–74). Immersion is necessary. The
Apostle Paul taught that being immersed in water and coming out
again is symbolic of death, burial, and resurrection. After
baptism we start a new life. Paul said:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus
Christ were baptized into his death?
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his
death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection”
(Romans 6:3–5).
Baptism by immersion by a person having the proper authority is
the only acceptable way of being baptized.
Why is authority to perform a baptism important?
In what ways is baptism by immersion like the burial and
Resurrection of the Savior?
Baptism at the Age of Accountability
Who should be baptized?
Every person who has reached eight years of age and is
accountable (responsible) for his or her actions should be
baptized. Some churches teach that little children should be
baptized. This is not in keeping with the teachings of the
Savior. When Jesus spoke of little children, He said, “Of such
is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
The prophet Mormon said that it is mockery before God to baptize
little children, because they are not capable of sinning.
Likewise, baptism is not required of people who are mentally
incapable of knowing right and wrong (see Moroni 8:9–22).
All other people are to be baptized. We must receive the
ordinance of baptism and remain true to the covenants we make at
that time.
What might you say to a friend who believes that infants need to
be baptized?
We Make Covenants When We Are Baptized
Many scriptures teach about baptism. In one of these scriptures,
the prophet Alma taught that faith and repentance are steps that
prepare us for baptism. He taught that when we are baptized we
make a covenant with the Lord. We promise to do certain things,
and God promises to bless us in return.
Alma explained that we must want to be called the people of God.
We must be willing to help and comfort each other. We must stand
as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all
places. As we do these things and are baptized, God will forgive
our sins. Alma told the people who believed his teachings about
the gospel:
“Behold, here are the waters of Mormon. … And now, as ye are
desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his
people, … 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?” (Mosiah 18:8, 10). The people clapped their hands for
joy and said it was their desire to be baptized. Alma baptized
them in the Waters of Mormon. (See Mosiah 18:7–17.)
Alma taught that when we are baptized we make covenants with the
Lord to:
Come into the fold of God.
Bear one another’s burdens.
Stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places.
Serve God and keep His commandments.
When we are baptized and keep the covenants of baptism, the Lord
promises to:
Forgive our sins (see Acts 2:38; D&C 49:13).
Pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon us (see Mosiah 18:10).
Give us daily guidance and the help of the Holy Ghost (see Acts
2:38; D&C 20:77).
Let us come forth in the First Resurrection (see Mosiah 18:9).
Give us eternal life (see Mosiah 18:9).
What do you think it means to bear one another’s burdens? to
stand as a witness of God at all times and in all places?
Baptism Gives Us a New Beginning
With baptism we begin a new way of life. That is why we call it
a rebirth. Jesus said that unless we are born of the water and
of the Spirit, we cannot enter the kingdom of God (see John
3:3–5). This principle was explained clearly to Adam:
“Inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood,
and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a
living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of
heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood,
even the blood of mine Only Begotten” (Moses 6:59).
The Apostle Paul said that after our baptism we should begin a
new life: “We are buried with him by baptism; … even so we also
should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). One of the great
blessings of baptism is that it provides us with a new start on
our way toward our eternal goal.
How was your baptism a new beginning?
Additional Scriptures
2 Nephi 31:4–7 (purpose and necessity of baptism)
3 Nephi 11:21–27; D&C 20:72–74 (how to perform a baptism)
Acts 2:38–39 (be baptized for the remission of sins)
Moroni 8:8–12; D&C 20:71–72 (baptism is not required of little
children; baptism is required of all who repent)
Alma 7:14–16 (baptism is cleansing, entering into a covenant of
eternal life)
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