Baptism

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.

Entering the Path to Eternal Life

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.

Baptism in the Lord’s Way

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:

“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).

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.)

Little Children and Baptism

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).

Your Baptismal Covenant

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 D&C

20:77, 79).

Taking upon Yourself the Name of Jesus Christ. 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:

“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).

Keeping the Commandments. 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.

Serving the Lord. 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.

Promised Blessings of Baptism

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.

The Constant Companionship of the Holy Ghost. 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.

Remission of Sins. 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).

Being Born Again. 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).

Enduring to the End

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:

“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).

Additional references: 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

See also Faith; Holy Ghost; Obedience; Priesthood; Repentance; Sacrament