Jesus Is Baptized

Chapter 10

John lived in the desert for many years. He wore clothes made out of camel’s hair, and he ate honey and locusts, which are like grasshoppers. People came from the cities to listen to him teach. He was known as John the Baptist. Matt. 3:1–5

John the Baptist taught them about Jesus Christ and told them to repent of their sins and be baptized. John baptized those who repented, to wash away their sins. Matt. 3:3, 6

The people asked him how to live better lives. He told them to share with the poor, to always tell the truth, to not hurt other people. He said that Jesus Christ was coming to start His church and would give them the gift of the Holy Ghost. John knew that Jesus was the Savior and told the people so. Luke 3:10–14; Matt. 3:2, 11–12; John 1:33–36

One day when John the Baptist was baptizing people in the Jordan River, Jesus Christ went there and asked John to baptize Him. John knew that Jesus had always obeyed God’s commandments and did not need to repent. John thought that Jesus did not need to be baptized. Matt. 3:13–15; 2 Ne. 31:5–7

But God had commanded all people to be baptized, so Jesus told John to baptize Him, and John did. Jesus set an example when He was baptized to obey God’s commandment. Matt. 3:16; 2 Ne. 31:7–8

When Jesus came up out of the water, the Holy Ghost came to Him, and God spoke from heaven. God said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:16–17, Jesus the Christ, page 150

Illustrated by Robert T. Barrett