Jesus Is Baptized

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 the people 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 Jesus Christ was coming to start His Church and would give them the gift of the Holy Ghost. John told the people that Jesus was the Savior, the Son of God. Matt. 3:2, 11–12; Luke 3:10–14; John 1:33–36

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

But Jesus knew that God had commanded all people to be baptized. Jesus told John to baptize Him, and John did so. Jesus set an example for us by being 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

Illustrated by Robert T. Barrett