Why Was Jesus Baptized? To Show You the Way Back to God.

Because Jesus was perfect, He did not need to be cleansed from sin. Yet He still came to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. At first John refused, saying, “I have need to be baptized of thee” (Matthew 3:14). But Jesus insisted, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

Jesus chose to be baptized to show obedience to God’s commandments and to set an example for all of us to follow. If you have faith in Him and repent of your sins, you too can be baptized—by immersion, like Jesus was. When you are baptized, you promise to follow God and keep His commandments, which includes loving your neighbor and serving those in need. In return, God will forgive you and you can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, a special blessing to always have the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit with you.

Considering baptism? Meet with missionaries to learn more.

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New Members Share the Joy They’ve Felt since Baptism

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Jennifer

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“Growing up without having any knowledge of God or our Savior Jesus Christ and then being baptized in the Church has completely changed my life. I have a … huge church family now. It’s everything that I never had and more.”

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Marnie and Tony

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“Since joining the Church, our unity and our strength and the love in our family have grown.” —Marnie

“It’s put me on the path that I needed to be on. It’s made me a more honest person. It’s made me a happier person.” —Tony

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Calyann

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“It’s like, ‘I can start all over again.’ You feel love, and you feel a forgiveness, and you feel a happiness and a peace. … It’s like being born again. It sounds so cliché, but it really, really is. It’s a fresh start.”

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Natalie

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“We’ve been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a year now, and I can honestly say it has been my favorite year of my whole life.”

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What to Expect from Your Visit with Missionaries

Wherever you’re at on your journey toward baptism—whether you’re ready now or simply hoping to learn more about following Jesus—missionaries can help you take the next step. Here’s what a visit might be like:

Missionaries coming to your home for a visit

We’ll get to know you, pray together, and talk about your questions.

Missionaries teaching a woman the beliefs and doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We’ll learn about baptism and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We’ll invite you to join us at church.

Baptism by immersion into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

If you choose, you can follow Jesus’s invitation to be baptized.

Common Questions

Yes. Jesus made it clear that being born of water and of the Spirit is necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven (see John 3:1–13). Jesus Himself was baptized—even though He was perfect—to set an example for us.

Little children are an exception. Jesus taught, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). The Book of Mormon gives additional insight, that “little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin” (Moroni 8:8). In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, age eight is considered the “age of accountability.” At that age, children are able to discern between right and wrong and can choose to be baptized for themselves.

Baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follows the example Jesus set:

You will be baptized by a person with priesthood authority.

Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized by someone with authority from God. John was the appointed messenger to “prepare … the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:3) and, as a descendant of Aaron, was a priest. You, too, will be baptized by someone with priesthood authority from God.

You will be baptized by immersion.

The Bible says that Jesus “went up straightway out of the water” (Matthew 3:16). We practice that same pattern of baptism by briefly immersing people fully into the water. The process is beautifully symbolic of spiritual rebirth—you are “buried” under the water and then rise up a new person.

You will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost after your baptism.

Baptism without the Holy Spirit isn’t complete. Jesus declared, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

After Jesus was baptized, “the Spirit of God [descended] like a dove” (Matthew 3:16). After your baptism, people with priesthood authority will lay their hands on your head and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift means you will have the Holy Spirit as a constant companion to guide, protect, and comfort you as long as you keep the promises you made to God at baptism.

Baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints involves a covenant (or two-way promise) with God. The promises you make include a commitment to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and keep God’s commandments. In return, God promises great blessings for your faithfulness, including forgiveness of your past sins.

Missionaries will teach you Jesus’s gospel and the commandments during a series of visits so you fully understand what it is you’re promising.

Yes. Baptism is an entrance into a new way of life, not just a singular act. It’s a promise to live Jesus’s gospel, including to “mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:9). When you’re baptized, you join a church family and you support one another in your efforts to follow Jesus. Your membership in the Church is complete when you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost after your baptism.

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Learn about Jesus’s life through the Walk with Christ email series.

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Why Was Jesus Baptized? To Show You the Way Back to God.

Considering baptism? Meet with missionaries to learn more.

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New Members Share the Joy They’ve Felt since Baptism

What to Expect from Your Visit with Missionaries

Common Questions