The Baptism of Jesus Christ

At the beginning of Jesus Christ’s ministry, He traveled from Galilee to the Jordan River. John the Baptist was there preaching and baptizing the people. Jesus went to John and asked to be baptized. John did not want to do it, because he thought that Jesus should baptize him. He asked Jesus why He needed to be baptized. The Savior explained that He needed to be baptized to be obedient to the commandments of Heavenly Father.

“And John went down into the water and baptized him.

“And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and John saw, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Jesus.

“And lo, he heard a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him.” (JST, Matt. 3:44–46, page 802, LDS edition of the King James Bible.)

Jesus Christ set the example for us to be baptized. He has told us, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). When we are baptized, we make a covenant, or promise, to Heavenly Father to:

• “come into the fold of God” [become a member of His Church]

• “be called his people” [take upon us the name of Christ]

• “[be] willing to bear one another’s burdens”

• “comfort those that stand in need of comfort” [help others]

• “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” [testify of Christ and set a good example]

• “serve him and keep his commandments.” (See Mosiah 18:8–10.)

Each Sunday in church when we take the sacrament, we should remember Jesus Christ’s Atonement as well as the promises we made to our Heavenly Father when we were baptized.

Color the flannel-board figures, then mount them on heavy paper. Cut them out and use them to retell the story “The Baptism of Jesus Christ.”

Dove; Heavens opening up; Sacrament trays; John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.
(Illustrated by Beth M. Whittaker.)