NECESSITY AND PURPOSES
OF BAPTISM
Thus, by reading and understanding the Book of Mormon, those who truly
desire to follow Christ will see the necessity and purposes of entering into
the waters of baptism and keeping the covenants made therein. Considering all
aspects of the covenant there are four purposes of baptism. First, baptism
brings us a remission of our past sins. Second, baptism gives us admittance into
the Church and Kingdom of God on earth. Third, baptism opens the gate to the straight
and narrow path that leads to eternal life. Fourth, baptism gives us the
opportunity to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Through the benefits
enumerated in these purposes, the promise of eternal life becomes a reality.
Many other teachings of the Book of Mormon verify these points.
Baptism for remission of sins. Nephi emphasized our
need of baptism by showing that even the Savior, who was sinless was baptized.
And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be
baptized by water, to full all righteousness, O then, how much more need have
we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water! (2 Nephi 31:5)
All men in their fallen state commit sin and are thus unholy and in need
of baptism for a remission of sins. Mormon, in writing to his son Moroni on the
question of infant baptism, points out that all except those who are not accountable
under the law (e.g. children) are in need of baptism; also he states that it is
not the act of baptism alone which brings the remission of sins but the fulfilling
of the commandment given by God. (This was emphasized by Peter also. See 1
Peter 3:21.)
Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and
baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea,
teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as
their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.
And their children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto
repentance to the fulfilling the commandments until the remission of sins . . .
And 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 8:10, 11, 25)
Therefore, the ordinance of baptism makes it possible for men to receive
a remission of sins and a fresh start towards their goal of eternal life. (Messages
for Exaltation: Eternal Insights from the Book of Mormon—For the Sunday Schools
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gospel Doctrine Class [Salt Lake City: Deseret Sunday School Union, 1967], 171-72)
