John A. Widtsoe on the Salvific Efficacy of Water Baptism

Every act has its results. The first and glorious effect of baptism is the remission of sins. Those who are baptized are, as it were, washed clean of their past mistakes. That may not mean that no price is to be paid for evil acts that have been committed; but it does mean, that the past will not stand as a hindrance to future progress. Coming out of the waters of baptism, all will have an equal start on the eternal, progressive journey that constitutes the basis of life in the Church of Christ. (“Baptism” in John A. Widtsoe, Man and the Dragon and Other Essays [Salt Lake City: The Bookcraft Company, 1945], 147)