At the start of His ministry, the Savior went to His cousin, John, and asked to be baptized. John, knowing Jesus’ true identity and perfection, protested, saying it was Jesus who should baptize him, not the other way around. Jesus was perfect, and one purpose of baptism is to wash away sins. He wondered why Jesus wanted to be baptized.
Jesus taught us regularly that we were to follow his example. One reason God sent His Son to be with us is because mortal beings often need a physical example to follow, and this is something the Savior provided us—someone who lived as we did, whose example we could emulate.
8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.
9 And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them (2 Nephi 31 in the Book of Mormon).
Baptism is an opportunity for us to have all our sins removed from us at once and to start over. Prior to our baptism we learn about God and what He expects of us. Then we begin a process of personal repentance, as we ask forgiveness for previous sins and begin to put our lives in line with God’s plan for us. When we’ve reached a certain level of obedience, we can be baptized.
At the same time, we make covenants with God, our very first ones. A covenant is a two-way promise between us and God. We promise God we will do certain things and He promises to do things for us in return. If we do our part, He will do His.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes incorrectly called the Mormon Church, baptizes people at the age of eight or older. Younger children are pure, free of sin, and therefore do not need baptism. We teach that each person is accountable only for his own sins, and not Adam’s, Eve’s, or any other person on earth. A fair and loving God won’t hold us responsible for something entirely out of our control. He sends children to earth clean and pure, and they remain so until age eight, when they are old enough to know right from wrong. Children who die prior to age eight die in complete purity and return to Heavenly Father without accountability for their actions.
Since Jesus was baptized to set the example for us, members of the Church are baptized by immersion, as Jesus was. At that time, they also promise to take on the Savior’s name and keep His commandments.
7 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)
If the Savior, whose devotion to and love for His Father was never in question, felt the need to make this covenant and demonstrate His commitment to God, we most certainly need to follow that example. The baptism is tangible proof of our willingness to completely to give ourselves to God, to sacrifice our own desires for His and to commit ourselves to building His kingdom.
This baptism must be done by one who has the proper authority from God to perform it. This person must be a worthy priesthood holder, and for this reason, people who were baptized in another church are re-baptized when they join the restored church. This baptism is followed by the confirmation. The confirmation gives the newly baptized person membership in God’s church. It also bestows upon the person the gift of the Holy Ghost.
“You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.”
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 314.)
The Holy Ghost will help us recognize God’s voice when we hear it, make wise choices, recognize truth, and return to our Father in Heaven through our increased ability to know and do what He asks.
Just as the Savior went to his cousin, who was authorized to baptize, we must also go to one authorized to baptize and commit ourselves to our Father in Heaven.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
