Comments and Scriptures on Baptism

Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel as stated in the fourth article of faith. Baptism symbolizes death, burial and resurrection, Romans 6:3, Colossians 2:12. It has been practiced in the true Church since the time of Adam. We learn from the Perl of Great Price that Adam was baptized, Moses 6:64.

Baptism is the gate that leads into eternal life and Christ has set the example for us to follow, 2 Nephi 31:9 and 2 Nephi 31:17. Nephi tells us that if the Lamb of God needed to be baptized, how much more do we need to be baptized, 2 Nephi 31:5-7. Jesus told Nicodemus that all men must be baptized, John 3:3-5. Even though Saul had seen a vision of an angle, to get started on the process of being transformed from Saul the persecutor of Christ to Paul the Lord's Apostle, he still needed to be baptized, Acts 22:16. After we have entered into the gate all is not done, 2 Nephi 31:19-21.

It takes commitment and work to be worth of baptism, D&C 20:37. We must dedicate our lives to God to be worth of baptism. People need to repent of their sins to be baptized, 2 Nephi 11:23. When Alma baptized in the waters of Mormon he invited the people to come into the fold and bear one another's burdens, Mosiah 18:8-10. After we are baptized and confirmed we become "fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God:" Ephesians 2:19.

The people of the Church are to be united and have one faith, Mosiah 18:21-22. If we are not one we are not the Lord's people, D&C 38:27. Unity is one of the laws of the celestial kingdom, D&C 105:2-5. The city of Enoch was called Zion, because the people were of one heart and one mind, Moses 7:18.

After the resurrection of Christ, He tells the people in America they should not offer sacrifices and burnt offerings anymore. Instead they should offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit and they will be baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost, 2 Nephi 9:20. Other places in scripture we are told to have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are: 3 Nephi 12:19, D&C 20:37, D&C 59:8, Psalms 34:18, Isaiah 57:15, and Isaiah 66:2.