Baptism Lesson

Baptism: Why is baptism necessary?

Prophets have taught about this since the beginning. Look in the Book of Moses. (6:52)

Adam asked the same question and was told about original sin, personal sin and that he had to teach it to his children. (Moses 6:53-59)

What does the fourth article of faith teach us about baptism?

Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare us for the ordinance of baptism and confirmation.
An ordinance is a sacred ceremony that shows we are making a covenant with God.

Covenants: A covenant is a solemn agreement between God and man.
Heavenly Father sets the conditions, which we either accept or reject.
Keeping covenants brings us blessings in this life and in the life to come.

What does Heavenly Father promise us? To bless us.
What do we promise Him? To obey him.

How does Heavenly Father bless us in this life? (By keeping covenants we are promised the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost after we are confirmed. You can not have baptism without confirmation of the Holy Ghost. We are also given a forgiveness of our sins and we are born again.)

What does it mean to keep our covenants? (We give up activities that keep us from honoring our covenants or promises.)
For example, we do not shop or have play sports or recreation on Sunday so we can keep the Sabbath Day holy.
We repent every day of our life.
We keep the commandments and serve others to retain (hold on to) a forgiveness of our sins.)

Through ordinances we learn about God's power. Doctrine and Covenants 84:20 -Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. Isn't it wonderful to experience God's power?

Jesus set the example for us by being baptized. Jesus taught that we must be baptized by immersion for the remission (forgiveness) of our sins. In order to be saved we must be baptized. No person can enter the kingdom of God without being baptized.

Baptism by immersion is a symbol of the death, burial and ressurection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Here is a wonderful connection to that example:
Baptism represents the end of our old life of sin and a commitment to live a new life as a disciple of Christ.
Jesus taught that baptism is a rebirth.
When we are baptized we begin the process of being born again and become spiritual sons and daughters of Christ.

Mosiah 5:7-8

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

This ordinance is a law of God. It must be performed by His authority.

Before baptism we show our willingness to make a covenant and keep His commandments.
After baptism we show our faith by keeping our covenants.

Partaking the Sacrament weekly is a commandment. It helps us stay worth to always have the Spirit with us. It reminds us weekly of our covenants.

Jesus introduced the Sacrament to His Apostles just before His Atonement. He commanded that priesthood holders administer the Sacrament in remembrance of His body and His blood which was shed for us.

He restored this ordinance through the Prophet Joseph Smith. By worthily partaking of the Sacrament every week, we promise to always remember Him and keep his commandments. As we do this, we receive the promise that His Spirit will always be with us.

Now a footnote to this lesson on Baptism from Section 68 of the Doctrine & Covenants:

25 And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

Just recently, I learned that it is not enough to teach our children the doctrine of faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, but we must teach them to understand. Teaching is a process and understanding is an outcome.

Doctrine and Covenants 50: 13, 14 helps clarify this principle: "Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth. " We are to preach the gospel by the Spirit. It is the Spirit that does the teaching. Do you see the difference between teaching and preaching? These are insights that one misses at first glance at these two scriptures.

So what is our action plan? We need to take this lesson on baptism and present it in such a way that each grandchild understands the concepts.
1. Baptism has been on earth since the beginning.
2. Baptism must be in water by immersion.
3. Jesus set the example by being baptised.
4. One must be baptized by proper authority, the priesthood.
5. We make promises to Heavenly Father when we are baptized.
6. Heavenly Father promises us blessings for being baptized and obeying His commandments.
7. We must take the Sacrament every week to remember these promises.
8. We must live worthily to always have the Spirit with us.