2 Nephi 31:1–13

“Following the Example of the Son of the Living God”

What are some ways we can follow the Savior’s example? Nephi taught that following Jesus Christ by being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost was essential to being saved in God’s kingdom. This lesson can help you better understand and explain the importance of baptism and the blessings that come from it.

Testifying often. Your testimony can increase the faith of your students and help them develop their testimonies. Look for opportunities to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and to speak of Him with reverence, gratitude, and adoration. Share personal experiences that have helped you come unto Jesus Christ.

Student preparation: Encourage students to think of how they would explain why a person would want to be baptized. They could also ask one or two family members or friends why they chose to be baptized.

Possible Learning Activities

Following Jesus Christ by being baptized

The following activity can help students think about the purpose of baptism and how it helps us.

Imagine your friend Ada has been meeting with Church missionaries and is really enjoying the experience. She is reading the Book of Mormon and enjoys what she is learning. The missionaries recently invited her to be baptized. The day after the invitation, Ada tells you about it and says, “I kind of want to be baptized, but also wonder why it matters so much if I am trying to be a good person. What is so important about baptism?”

• Do you feel like you could answer Ada’s question in a way to help her understand the importance of baptism? Why or why not?

As you study today, search for truths that help you understand more about the Savior and why following His example of baptism is so important. Ponder how it has affected your life and those you know. At the end of the lesson, you will have a chance to respond to Ada’s important question.

As Nephi drew closer to the conclusion of his writings on the small plates, he desired to speak about “the doctrine of Christ.” Consider marking this phrase in 2 Nephi 31:2 and 2 Nephi 31:21.

Baptism is an essential component of the doctrine of Christ.

• What do you know about the Savior’s baptism?

Listen carefully to what students say. If it would be helpful, you could invite students to do one of the following to review the Savior’s baptism.

• Read Matthew 3:13–17.

• Watch “The Baptism of Jesus” (2:54), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• Watch children explain the Savior’s baptism in “Baptism” from time code 0:00 to 1:13, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Jesus Christ was sinless, yet He was baptized. Read 2 Nephi 31:5–11 and look for why the Savior was baptized and what we learn about Him.

• What did you find?

  Students may share various insights about the Savior and baptism. Some truths they may identify include: Though sinless, Jesus Christ was baptized to fulfill all righteousness, and Jesus Christ was the perfect example of obedience. Consider writing on the board the principles students share. Use any of the following questions to deepen students’ understanding:

• What stood out to you from verse 5?

• What did Jesus witness, or promise, He would do by being baptized? (see 2 Nephi 31:7).

• What do these verses teach you about the Savior’s feelings toward the Father’s commandments and toward us?

• What do you know about Jesus Christ that would encourage you to follow His example?

If you would like to see lessons children learned from the Savior’s baptism, consider watching the video “Baptism” from time code 1:13 to 3:13, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Nephi continued in his record to testify of blessings of following the Savior’s example of baptism. To help you discover these blessings, read 2 Nephi 31:12–13, 17. For additional insights on baptism, consider studying some of the following: John 3:3, 5; Acts 2:38; Alma 7:14; 3 Nephi 11:33–34, 37.

Invite students to share what they found. If helpful to the discussion, consider using some of the following questions.

• What do you think it means to follow the Savior “with full purpose of heart, [and without] hypocrisy” (2 Nephi 31:13)?

• What blessings does Heavenly Father give to those who sincerely follow the Savior’s example of baptism?

  If useful, consider writing any principles students identify on the board. Here is one example: If we sincerely follow the Savior by being baptized, we will receive the Holy Ghost.

• How has the companionship of the Holy Ghost blessed you in your life?

  If it would help students further understand the roles of the Holy Ghost, you could invite them to review 2 Nephi 31:13, 17 and read 2 Nephi 31:18; 32:3, 5, 8; and 33:1. Students could ponder the various roles of the Holy Ghost and share how the Holy Ghost has blessed their lives acting in these roles.

• What other insights did you find?

Based on what you have learned, write a paragraph to Ada. Help her understand baptism and why she may want to follow the Savior’s example and be baptized like Him. Include the following:

• at least two scriptures you think would help her

• how baptism brings us closer to Heavenly Father and our Savior

• your personal thoughts, experiences, or testimony about baptism and the companionship of the Holy Ghost

You could invite students to share their paragraph in pairs, small groups, or as a class. It may also be effective to invite a student to come to the front of the room and play the role of Ada. Invite a different student to share one thing they prepared to help Ada. Then ask who would like to add something else. Invite several students to share. Look for ways to encourage students to focus on the Savior as well as share their own experiences and thoughts. As the activity continues, invite the student playing the part of Ada to share how she or he would be feeling and ask any questions she or he might have. Continue until students feel they have helped Ada.

To conclude this lesson, think about what you have studied today. How do you feel about your baptism? What might you do to continue to follow the Savior’s example? How might you help others follow the example of the Savior and be baptized? Consider writing your thoughts in your study journal.

Consider expressing admiration for the choice students may have made to be baptized. You might also share your own experience and your testimony of baptism.

Commentary and Background Information

Why is baptism so important?

Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

At baptism we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father that we are willing to come into His kingdom and keep His commandments from that time forward, even though we still live in the world. …

When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God. (Robert D. Hales, “The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 7)

How are we blessed by the Holy Ghost?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

When [the Holy Ghost] is your companion, you can have confidence that the Atonement is working in your life. …

Not only is your feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost a sign that the Atonement, the cure for sin, is working in your life, but you will also know that a preventative against sin is working. (Henry B. Eyring, “Come unto Christ” [Brigham Young University devotional, Oct. 29, 1989], speeches.byu.edu)

Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Sins are remitted not in the waters of baptism, as we say in speaking figuratively, but when we receive the Holy Ghost. … We become clean when we actually receive the fellowship and companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is then that sin and dross and evil are burned out of our souls as though by fire. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the baptism of fire. (Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 290)

Supplemental Learning Activities

The Doctrine of Christ

One way to help students learn about baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is to teach it as part of the doctrine of Christ. The doctrine of Christ is defined in the scriptures as exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. The doctrine of Christ is a process that allows us to come closer to and become more like Jesus Christ.

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

The pure doctrine of Christ is powerful. It changes the life of everyone who understands it and seeks to implement it in his or her life. The doctrine of Christ helps us find and stay on the covenant path. Staying on that narrow but well-defined path will ultimately qualify us to receive all that God has. Nothing could be worth more than all our Father has! (Russell M. Nelson, “Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 6)

Possible discussion questions include: What stands out to you from President Nelson’s teachings? What hope might someone have who understands the doctrine of Christ?