Jesus set the example for us by being baptized

 Christians today are divided on the subject of baptism.  Because they rely solely on the Bible for guidance and deny the revelations of God, they are unable to resolve differences of opinion and practice.  The reason for this is that the Bible does not provide all the essential information to arrive at a unity of the faith on this principle.

For example, Jesus commanded everyone to be baptized (John 3:5, Mark 16:16)  However, the manner of baptism, the appropriate age for for baptism, and the authority needed to baptize has historically been the cause of much contention among Christian sects.  Some believe that baptism is optional. Some believe that and infant who dies without baptism is not saved.  Some insist that a proper baptism can only be done by complete immersion while others contend that sprinkling or pouring are permissible.  Some believe that only an ordained priest or pastor can baptize, while others believe any layman can do so.

Given that Jesus said that he who believes and is baptized will be saved and those who believe not (and thus reject baptism) will be damned, a clear understanding is essential to the eternal outcome of our lives.  Thankfully, the Book of Mormon provides incredibly clear teachings on the subject of baptism.  Here are the questions that it resolves with great simplicity and clarity.

IS BAPTISM ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION?

"And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it." (2 Nephi 9:23-24)

There is no question.  Baptism is not optional.  Baptism is a testimony that we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ and keep his commandments.  The prophet Alma said the following to a group of believers as he preached by the Waters of Mormon:

BAPTISM IS A SYMBOL OF A COVENANT WITH GOD

"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; 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—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?" (Mosiah 18:8-10)

Jesus himself was required to make this covenant with God, his Father.  In doing so, he "fulfilled all righteousness" and showed that he would submit himself to the Father in all things.  Even though he was sinless, he was baptized to set the example for us.

And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water! And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water? 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. (2 Nephi 31:5-7)

The symbolism of baptism is representative of the "old" you dying and going into the grave and the "new" you coming forth in the likeness of Jesus' resurrection.  To be "born again" is to see the kingdom of God, that it is here on earth.  This discovery engenders a desire within in us to repent and forsake our sins, to be clean and pure.  Baptism cleanses us from sin.  It is the gate through which one enters to gain access to the earthly kingdom of God, which is the Church.

"Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness."

King Benjamin said this of being born again:

"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters."

What a glorious blessing it is to be born again and to feel the remission of sins after baptism!

HOW IS BAPTISM TO BE PERFORMED?

The form of baptism was ordained by God himself.  Jesus taught the nature of the ordinance when he organized his church among the Nephites in the Book of Mormon.  When the resurrected Lord appeared to them, he taught them:

"And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you. Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water." (3 Nephi 11:22-26)

It can't be any more plain.  Baptism is performed by immersion for the remission of sins.  Baptism is preceded by sincere repentance.  Thus a person must be old enough to know right from wrong and be capable of feeling sorrow for his sins.  

DO LITTLE CHILDREN REQUIRE BAPTISM?

When I served as a missionary in Toulouse France, the branch president of the Church was a young doctor.  He and his wife were married when he was still in medical school, several years before they encountered missionaries and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were still Catholic, but non-practicing.   In the first couple years of their marriage, his wife became pregnant and they looked forward the birth of their child with great joy and anticipation.  During the delivery, there were complications and the baby died just hours after it was born.  They had not had the baby baptized.  When they approached a local parish priest to arrange burial, he refused to allow the baby to be buried in the main part of the cemetary, because it had died without a Christian baptism.  He insisted that the baby could only be buried in the lot behind the cemetary that was overgrown with weeds and neglected.  This was the area where the unsaved were to be buried.

The couple was shattered by the priest's callousness.  They made other arrangements and went on with their lives.  The husband in particular felt as though he had lost his faith, because he could not accept that God would send the soul of an innocent infant to hell or limbo or anyplace other than heaven.  When he and his wife first encountered the LDS missionaries many years later, they rejoiced at the words of Mormon to his son Moroni:

"Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me. And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children. Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children. And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins. But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!" (Moroni 8:8-12)

The couple I referred to were overjoyed to learn that their child had gone into paradise and was awaiting a glorious reunion with them at the resurrection.  They sensed the justice and mercy of God and they embraced the restored gospel sometime later.

WHO CAN BAPTIZE?

Baptism must be done by one having authority.  The prophet Nephi received authority from Jesus Christ to baptize the disciples.

"And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven." (3 Nephi 11:21).

Moroni, in the final chapters of the Book of Mormon, gave a brief summary of important organizational, procedural, and doctrinal elements, knowing they would need to be preserved.  He recorded the importance of ordination by those who had authority from Jesus and his 12 disciples.  He wrote:

"The manner which the disciples, who were called the elders of the church, ordained priests and teachers—After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said: In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest, (or, if he be a ateacher) I ordain you to be a teacher, to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen. And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them." (Moroni chapter 3:1-4)

A baptism that is performed without having authority from God is invalid. For this reason, baptism by other denominations are not recognized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, 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—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. (2 Nephi 31:13)

Having had our sins remitted through baptism and the grace of Jesus Christ, we are able to receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead. This is a marvelous gift.  The Holy Ghost brings to your remembrance the teachings of Jesus.  It helps you to understand the scriptures by personal revelation.  It guides you to all truth.  It helps you discern truth from error and warns you of dangers.  It is the Comforter spoken of in the New Testament.  Indeed, it does provide spiritual assurance and comfort.  The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed by the laying on of hands after baptism.  Jesus gave the Nephite disciples authority to give this gift.

"The words of Christ, which he spake unto his disciples, the twelve whom he had chosen, as he laid his hands upon them—And he called them by name, saying: Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles." (Moroni 2:1-2)

AFTER BAPTISM, WHAT?

Many Christians disagree over what happens after one is born again or converted.  There are those who believe that once a person has made a confession of faith, they can never fall from grace again.  To illustrate this absurd notion, I would point your attention the the tragedy that occurred just last week where George Sodini went into a women's fitness center with a gun and shot three women dead and wounded nine others, then turned his gun on himself.  The "deacon" of his church says that, because he had once been saved, he is always saved.  http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_637429.html

Latter-day Saints believe that, once one has repented of his sins, entered into the covenant of baptism, and received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, one is obligated by his faith to do good, keep the commandments of God, and serve others.  The prophet Nephi stated with absolute clarity:

"And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved....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 31:16, 20)

Through righteous living we grow closer to God.  When we make mistakes, we repent and resolve to do better.  It's a process that gives us strength to overcome weaknesses and to receive the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost.  God makes us into saints, a degree at a time,  It is a lifelong process of improvement and progression.  Salvation is not just a "get out of jail free card" to keep you from going to hell.  If you wish to go where Abraham, Moses, Daniel, John the Baptist, or Paul have gone in eternity, you must become as they were.  It is not easy.  It takes effort and humility.  Mormons don't believe they're perfect, but we work towards perfection one day at a time.  Salvation is a process, not an event.

All of the passages I listed above from the Book of Mormon are perfectly in harmony with what the Bible teaches.  They do conflict with the doctrines that come from man's creeds and their attempts to pick and choose from the Bible what they will accept and what they will ignore.  That is one of the great benefits of the Book of Mormon.  A second witness sheds greater light on the testimony of the first witness.  The Book of Mormon resolves the conflicts that exists between sectarian churches and brings the clarity and light of revelation to the subject of baptism.  The Holy Spirit bears witness of the Book of Mormon and you can know for yourself, by the same Holy Spirit, that it is true.

 For more info: For more information, please visit http://www.mormon.org/.