Baptism

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

When in your life have you felt the regret that comes after making a serious mistake or committing a sin? The key message of the restored gospel is that through faith in Jesus Christ, sincere repentance, and baptism by immersion by one holding authority, we can obtain forgiveness and a remission of our sins. Baptism symbolizes rebirth—the beginning of a new life. It is the first step on the path to becoming a member of His Church and preparing to receive the sacred ordinances and covenants found in the house of the Lord. When you are baptized, you witness to God the Father that you are “willing to take upon you the name of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:13). That important promise is renewed every time you partake of the sacrament (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:77).

What Is Baptism?

Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the first priesthood ordinance of salvation and exaltation. Baptism is necessary for an individual to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and to enter the celestial kingdom (see John 3:5). Through baptism we gain access to blessings made available because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Topic overview: Baptism

Section 1

Jesus Christ Invites All to Follow Him and Be Baptized

Though Jesus Christ was holy and sinless, He came to John the Baptist and was baptized to “fulfil all righteousness” (see Matthew 3:13–17; Hebrews 4:15; 2 Nephi 31:5–7). God has commanded all His children to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized so they can receive a remission of their sins and inherit eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:13, 17–18). We prepare for baptism when we exercise faith in Jesus Christ and repent of our sins, which repentance is manifested by a broken heart and contrite spirit (see Moroni 6:1–3; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37).

God has commanded that baptism be performed by one holding priesthood authority (see 3 Nephi 11:21–28; Doctrine and Covenants 20:72–74; 22:1–4, including the historical introduction). In May 1829, the ordinance of baptism and the authority to baptize were restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith by the heavenly messenger John the Baptist (see Joseph Smith—History 1:68–73).

Throughout history, many of God’s children have lived and died without learning the gospel of Jesus Christ or receiving baptism performed under His priesthood authority. Because every soul is precious in God’s sight, His plan provides these deceased individuals an opportunity to learn the gospel in the spirit world (Doctrine and Covenants 138:30–37). Members of the Church today strive to search out the names of deceased ancestors who did not receive the necessary ordinances of the gospel in this life and are baptized by proxy on their behalf in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (see Doctrine and Covenants 128:16–18).

Things to think about

The prophet Nephi wrote about why Jesus Christ was baptized. Study 2 Nephi 31:4–13. What do these verses teach you about the purpose of the Lord’s baptism? What does it mean that your baptism is a witness “unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ”? (2 Nephi 31:13).
Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, looking for the important ways a person should prepare for baptism. How can this passage provide direction to a member of the Church who was baptized at a younger age?

Activity for learning with others

The restored doctrine of baptism for the dead was a tremendous blessing to Joseph Smith and the early Latter-day Saints as it is for us today. Watch the video “Glad Tidings: The History of Baptisms for the Dead” (6:55), and consider how you might have felt to be one of the early Saints who learned about the doctrine of baptism for the dead. What does this doctrine teach you about Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation?

Learn more

1 Corinthians 15:29; Alma 7:14–16; Doctrine and Covenants 18:41–42; Articles of Faith 1:4
“Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 89–99
David A. Bednar, “Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 59–62
“Jesus Christ Teaches Repentance and Baptism” (video), Gospel Library

Section 2

Baptism Prepares You for Eternal Life

Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This important imagery helps us see the symbolism of our own spiritual rebirth when we are baptized. As Jesus Christ rose from the dead to new life, we should also “walk in newness of life” when we come up out of the waters of baptism (Romans 6:4; see also verses 3–11).

The scriptures also liken baptism, and the spiritual change that comes to humble followers of Jesus Christ, to birth (see John 3:1–8). Just as an infant is born by water, blood, and the spirit, all who are baptized and who strive to follow Jesus Christ are born again through water and the Spirit and “cleansed by blood, even the blood of [Christ]” (Moses 6:59). Therefore, it is helpful to consider how spiritual rebirth, or being “born again,” provides us with a clean start in life (see Mosiah 5:7; 27:25–26).

The Lord teaches that a baptism of water precedes a baptism of fire. This refers to the gift of the Holy Ghost, which cleanses and purifies like fire (see Acts 1:5; 2 Nephi 31:13). The baptism of fire brings a remission of sins (see 2 Nephi 31:17; 3 Nephi 9:19–20; Doctrine and Covenants 39:6).

Things to think about

Elder David A. Bednar taught:

“We are imperfect human beings striving to live in mortality according to Heavenly Father’s perfect plan of eternal progression. The requirements of His plan are glorious, merciful, and rigorous. We may at times be filled with determination and at other times feel totally inadequate. We may wonder if we spiritually can ever fulfill the commandment to stand spotless before Him at the last day.

“With the help of the Lord and through the power of His Spirit to ‘teach [us] all things’ [John 14:26], indeed we can be blessed to realize our spiritual possibilities. Ordinances invite spiritual purpose and power into our lives as we strive to be born again and become men and women of Christ. Our weaknesses can be strengthened, and our limitations can be overcome.”

What is our role in becoming “born again”? What blessings can come to someone who strives to be “born again”?

Activity for learning with others

Consider watching “Jesus Teaches of Being Born Again” (6:03), inviting group members to listen for principles that Jesus Christ taught Nicodemus. How did Jesus use the symbolism of physical birth to help Nicodemus better understand how to prepare for the kingdom of God?

Learn more

John 3:1–8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Mosiah 5:7; 27:24–26
David A. Bednar, “Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 19–22
D. Todd Christofferson, “Born Again,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 76–79

Section 3

Little Children Do Not Need Baptism

Jesus Christ taught that little children are sinless before God (see Matthew 18:3; Mark 2:17; Moroni 8:8). Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, little children do not need baptism. Parents have the responsibility to teach their children the importance of faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Doctrine and Covenants 68:25–28). Children are to be baptized at age eight, which the scriptures describe as the age of accountability (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:71; 29:46–47; 68:27). “All children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom” (Doctrine and Covenants 137:10).

Some individuals have disabilities that prevent them from being accountable. They do not need repentance or baptism but are saved in the celestial kingdom (see Moroni 8:22; Doctrine and Covenants 29:49–50; 137:10). Church leaders have clarified that “ordinances should not be withheld [from individuals with disabilities] if the person is worthy, wants to receive them, and shows sufficient responsibility and accountability.”

Things to think about

Read 3 Nephi 17:21–24 and Doctrine and Covenants 29:46–48. What do you find in these passages that indicates how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ feel about little children?

Activity for learning with others

President Brigham Young stated, “Infants are pure, they have neither sorrow of heart, nor sins to repent of and forsake, and consequently are incapable of being baptized for the remission of sin.” With your group, read Moroni 8:4–15, 19–24. How can this passage help you explain to others some of the reasons why infants do not need baptism?

Learn more

Matthew 19:13–15; Doctrine and Covenants 93:38–40
Shane M. Bowen, “Because I Live, Ye Shall Live Also,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 15–17