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From "True to the Faith"
DIR By: RickBulow
Date: July 18, 2023, 9:25 am
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(From
HTML https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/baptism?lang=eng
HTML https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/baptism?lang=eng)
The Book of Mormon tells of a group of people who learned the
gospel and were baptized at a place called Mormon. From the time
of their baptism, they regarded Mormon as a place of beauty
because while they were there, they “came to the knowledge of
their Redeemer” (Mosiah 18:30). Strengthened by their
testimonies and their baptismal covenant, they remained faithful
to the Lord, even in times of intense trial (see Mosiah 23–24).
Like the people in this Book of Mormon account, you can rejoice
as you remember your baptismal covenant and the Lord’s promises
to you. You can find strength in the ordinance of baptism,
whether you were baptized recently or many years ago.
<b>Entering the Path to Eternal Life</b>
Baptism is the first saving ordinance of the gospel (see
Articles of Faith 1:4). Through baptism and confirmation by
priesthood authority, you became a member of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When you were baptized, you showed your willingness to follow
the Savior’s example. He too was baptized, even though He was
without sin. As He explained to John the Baptist, He needed to
be baptized in order to “fulfil all righteousness” (see Matthew
3:13–17).
All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior
by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. The
prophet Nephi said that the Savior showed us “the gate by which
[we] should enter. For the gate by which [we] should enter is
repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of
[our] sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are [we] in
this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life” (2
Nephi 31:17–18). We will receive eternal life if we endure to
the end, keeping our covenants and receiving other ordinances of
salvation.
<b>Baptism in the Lord’s Way</b>
The Savior revealed the true method of baptism to the Prophet
Joseph Smith, making clear that the ordinance must be performed
by one having priesthood authority and that it must be done by
immersion:
--- Quote ---
>
> “The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus
Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person
who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say,
calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus
Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
>
> “Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth
again out of the water” (D&C 20:73–74).
>
--- End Quote ---
Immersion is symbolic of the death of a person’s sinful life and
the rebirth into a spiritual life, dedicated to the service of
God and His children. It is also symbolic of death and
resurrection. (See Romans 6:3–6.)
<b>Little Children and Baptism</b>
From latter-day revelation, we know that little children are
redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ. The Lord said, “They
cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little
children, until they begin to become accountable before me” (see
D&C 29:46–47). They are not to be baptized until they reach the
age of accountability, which the Lord has revealed to be eight
years of age (see D&C 68:27; Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis
17:11). Anyone who claims that little children need baptism
“denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the
atonement of him and the power of his redemption” (Moroni 8:20;
see also verses 8–19, 21–24).
<b>Your Baptismal Covenant</b>
When you were baptized, you entered into a covenant with God.
You promised to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ,
keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end (see Mosiah
18:8–10; D&C 20:37). You renew this covenant each time you
partake of the sacrament (see 20:77, 79).
<b>Taking upon Yourself the Name of Jesus Christ.</b>
When you take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, you see
yourself as His. You put Him and His work first in your life.
You seek what He wants rather than what you want or what the
world teaches you to want.
In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin explains why it is
important to take the name of the Savior upon ourselves:
--- Quote ---
>
> “There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh;
therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of
Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God
that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
>
> “And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be
found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by
which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of
Christ.
>
> “And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take
upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name;
therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God” (Mosiah
5:8–10).
>
--- End Quote ---
<b>Keeping the Commandments.</b>
Your baptismal covenant is a commitment to come into God’s
kingdom, separating yourself from the world and standing as a
witness of God “at all times and in all things, and in all
places” (Mosiah 18:9). Your efforts to stand as a witness of God
include everything you do and say. Strive always to remember and
keep the Lord’s commandments. Keep your thoughts, language, and
actions pure. When you seek entertainment such as movies,
television, the Internet, music, books, magazines, and
newspapers, be careful to watch, listen to, and read only those
things that are uplifting. Dress modestly. Choose friends who
encourage you to reach your eternal goals. Stay away from
immorality, pornography, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit
drugs. Keep yourself worthy to enter the temple.
<b>Serving the Lord.</b>
The commandment to separate yourself from the things of the
world does not mean that you should isolate yourself from
others. Part of the baptismal covenant is to serve the Lord, and
you serve Him best when you serve your fellow men. When the
prophet Alma taught about the baptismal covenant, he said that
we should be “willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they
may be light” and “willing to mourn with those that mourn … and
comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:8–9). Be
kind and respectful to all people, following the example of
Jesus Christ in the way you treat others.
<b>Promised Blessings of Baptism</b>
As you keep the covenant you made at baptism, the Lord will
bless you for your faithfulness. Some of the blessings you
receive are the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, the
remission of your sins, and the privilege of being spiritually
reborn.
<b>The Constant Companionship of the Holy Ghost.</b>
After you were baptized, one or more authorized Melchizedek
Priesthood holders laid their hands on your head and gave you
the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift gives you the right to the
constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as long as you are
worthy. The Spirit’s constant companionship is one of the
greatest blessings you can receive in mortality. The Spirit will
guide you in the paths of righteousness and peace, leading you
to eternal life.
<b>Remission of Sins.</b>
Because you have been baptized, you can receive a remission of
your sins. In other words, you can be forgiven through the mercy
of the Savior. With this blessing, you can be permitted
eventually to live in the presence of Heavenly Father.
To receive a remission of your sins, you must exercise faith in
Jesus Christ, be sincerely repentant, and strive always to keep
the commandments. The prophet Mormon taught, “The first fruits
of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the
fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments
bringeth remission of sins” (Moroni 8:25). You “retain a
remission of your sins” as you continue to humble yourself
before God, call upon Him daily in prayer, remain steadfast in
the faith, and serve those in need (see Mosiah 4:11–12, 26).
<b>Being Born Again.</b>
Through the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, you were
born again into a new life. The Savior said to Nicodemus,
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Just as an infant
enters a new existence at birth, you began a new life when you
entered into the baptismal covenant. You can grow in
spirituality and become more like the Savior by keeping your
baptismal covenant, partaking of the sacrament to renew your
covenant, and repenting of your sins. The Apostle Paul taught
that when we have been baptized, we “should walk in newness of
life” (Romans 6:4).
<b>Enduring to the End</b>
Now that you are baptized and have received the gift of the Holy
Ghost, you must continue in righteousness, for these ordinances
mark only the beginning of your journey back to dwell with your
Heavenly Father. The prophet Nephi taught:
--- Quote ---
>
> “After ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I
would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye
have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with
unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who
is mighty to save.
>
> “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in
Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God
and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting
upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus
saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi
31:19–20).
>
--- End Quote ---
<b>Additional references</b>: Acts 2:37–38; 2 Nephi 31:4–13;
Alma 7:14–16; 3 Nephi 11:18–41; 27:13–22; D&C 39:5–6, 10;
76:50–53
<b>See also</b>: Faith; Holy Ghost; Obedience; Priesthood;
Repentance; Sacrament
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