Baptism
by Immersion for the Remission of Sins Necessary to Salvation
It
is to be remembered, however, that the ritual of baptism is different from the
rituals of other organizations in that it is a sacred ordinance performed by
one duly authorized by the Lord to act in HIs name. It has been said by Him that
such an ordinance duly performed is necessary to salvation and that no one can
enter into the kingdom of heaven without it. It is inconceivable that one who
professes to have faith on His name would question the Lord’s word on this
matter. By the right of His atoning sacrifice, He stated the conditions under
which you could participate in the blessing He gained thereby. The condition is
“obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.” Baptism by immersion for
the remission of sins is one of these ordinances, and no one who has reached
the age of accountability can hope to return to the presence of the Lord without
having it performed in his behalf. This Jesus made clear when He said, “He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be
damned.” (Mark 16:16)
Does
this mean that all those who have died without having the privilege of being
baptized will be denied the blessing of salvation? To believe this would be to
deny the justice and mercy of God. The Lord in His mercy has provided that all
can receive the benefits of this ordinance through the vicarious work that is
done for the dead in the temples of our Lord. All who have died without the privilege
of accepting the gospel in this life will be given this opportunity in the
spirit world. Those who accept will have the ordinance of baptism performed for
them by those living upon the earth. Thus all, living and dead, will have the
opportunity of having this ordinance performed in their behalf.
Little
children alone are exempt from this need to be baptized. According to modern
revelation children under eight years of age are not accountable for their actions.
It would, therefore, be solemn mockery for them to covenant with the Lord to
serve Him and keep His commandments. These little children according to the
words of Mormon “ . . . are alive in him (Christ) because of his mercy. And he
that saith 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
8:19-20)
The
Chosen People of the Lord
When
you are baptized you are numbered among the chosen people of the Lord not
because the Lord has chosen you but because you have chosen Him. Anyone, who
has reached the age of accountability, who has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who has truly repented of his sins and is willing to take upon himself the name
of Christ as a witness unto Him that he is willing to serve Him and keep His
commandments, is a fit candidate for baptism. Jesus invites all who are willing
to meet these conditions “ . . . to come unto him and partake of his goodness
and he denieth none that come, bond and free, male and female; and he
remembereth the heathen; and all are like unto God.” (2 Nephi 26:33)
In
accepting you as a member of His spiritual family, the Lord grants unto you all
of the blessings and privileges pertaining thereto. Some of these are:
A REMISSION OF SINS
Since
no unclean thing can enter into the presence of God, a remission of sins is
necessary to salvation for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is a sign unto you that the Lord
has forgiven you of your sins on condition of your repentance and that you are
clean and pure in HIs sight. It is not only a sign that the sins you committed
before you were baptized are forgiven, but that those you might commit after
you are baptized will be forgiven. Since no man is perfect, the Lord has in His
mercy made provision for our failures. On condition of repentance, He has made
it possible for you to try again and again to live up to the covenant you made
to serve Him and keep His commandments, for He has said, “ . . . As often as my
people repent, will I forgive them their trespasses against me.” (Mosiah 26:30)
(Mary Pratt Parrish, This is the Truth: A Discussion of the First Principles
of the Gospel [Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, n.d.], 66-67)
