Gospel Principles
Chapter 20:
Baptism
“Gospel Principles,”, (2011) ,114-119
OUR OPENING PRAYER WILL BE
GIVEN BY
(Enter name here)
Why must we be
baptized?
The Commandment to Be Baptized
Today, as in the days of Jesus, there are
certain principles and ordinances of the
gospel that we must learn and obey
A gospel principle is a true belief or
teaching.
An ordinance is a rite or a ceremony.
Baptism is the first ordinance of the
gospel.
One of the instructions the Lord gave His
Apostles was,
 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the father
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you”
 (Matthew28:19–20).
The first two principles of the gospel are
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and
repentance.
We Must be Baptized for the
Remission of our Sins
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ,
repent, and are baptized, our sins are
forgiven through the Atonement of
Jesus Christ.
From the scriptures we learn that John
the Baptist “did baptize in the
wilderness, and preach the baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins”
(Mark 1:4).
The Apostle Peter taught, “Repent, and
be baptizd everyone of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins”(Acts 2:38).
Following Paul’s conversion, Ananias
said to him, “Arise, and be baptized, and
wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16).
We Must be Baptized to Become
Members of the Church of Jesus
Christ
“All those who humble themselves
before God, and desire to be baptized
… that … have truly repented of all
their sins … shall be received by
baptism into his church” (D&C 20:37).
We Must be Baptized before We
Can Receive the Gift of the Holy
Ghost
The Lord said, “If thou wilt turn unto
me, and … repent of all thy
transgressions [sins], and be baptized,
even in water, in the name of mine Only
Begotten Son, … ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost” (Moses 6:52).
We Must be Baptized to Show
Obedience
Jesus Christ was without sin, yet He was
baptized.
He said His baptism was necessary “to
fulfil all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).
The prophet Nephi explained that the
Lord told him, “Follow me, and do the
things which ye have seen me do …
with full purpose of heart, acting no
hypocrisy and no deception before God,
but with real intent, repenting of your
sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye
are willing to take upon you the name
of Christ, by baptism” (2 Nephi 31:12–13).
We Must be Baptized to Enter
the Celestial Kingdom
Jesus said, “Whoso believeth in me,
and is baptized … shall inherit the
kingdom of God.
And whoso believeth not in me, and
is not baptized, shall be damned”
(3 Nephi 11:33–34).
Baptism is the gateway through
which we enter the path to the
celestial kingdom
(see 2 Nephi 31:17–18).
How should we be
baptized?
There is only one correct mode of
baptism.
Jesus revealed to the Prophet Joseph
Smith that a person having the proper
priesthood authority to baptize “shall
go down into the water with the
person who has presented himself or
herself for baptism. … Then shall he
immerse him or her in the water, and
come forth again out of the water”
(D&C 20:73–74).
Jesus knew that he too had to be
baptized by immersion.
Immersion is necessary.
The Apostle Paul taught that being
immersed in water and coming out
again is symbolic of death, burial,
and resurrection.
After baptism we start a new life.
Paul said:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into his death?”
“Therefore we are buried with him
by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead
by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of
life.”
“For if we have been planted
together in the likeness of his death,
we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection” (Romans 6:3–5).
Baptism by immersion by a person
having the proper authority is the
only acceptable way of being
baptized.
Why is authority to
perform a baptism
important?
In what ways is
baptism by
immersion like the
burial and
Resurrection of the
Savior?
Baptism at the Age of
Accountability
Who should be
baptized?
Every person who has reached eight
years of age and is accountable
(responsible) for his or her actions
should be baptized.
Some churches teach that little
children should be baptized.
This is not in keeping with the
teachings of the Savior.
When Jesus spoke of little children,
He said, “Of such is the kingdom of
heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
The prophet Mormon said that it is
mockery before God to baptize little
children, because they are not
capable of sinning.
Likewise, baptism is not required of
people who are mentally incapable of
knowing right and wrong
(see Moroni 8:9–22).
All other people are to be baptized
We must receive the ordinance of
baptism and remain true to the
covenants we make at that time.
What might you say
to a friend who
believes that infants
need to be baptized?
We make Covenants when we
are Baptised
Many scriptures teach about
baptism.
In one of these scriptures, the
prophet Alma taught that faith and
repentance are steps that prepare us
for baptism.
He taught that when we are
baptized we make a covenant with
the Lord.
We promise to do certain things, and
God promises to bless us in return.
Alma explained that we must want to
be called the people of God.
We must be willing to help and
comfort each other.
We must stand as witnesses of God at
all times and in all things and in all
places.
As we do these things and are
baptized, God will forgive our sins.
Alma told the people who believed his
teachings about the gospel:
“Behold, here are the waters of Mormon.
… And now, as ye are desirous to come into
the fold of God, and to be called his people,
… what have you against being baptized in
the name of the Lord, as a witness before
him that ye have entered into a covenant
with him, that ye will serve him and keep his
commandments, that he may pour out his
Spirit more abundantly upon you?” (Mosiah
18:8, 10).
The people clapped their hands for
joy and said it was their desire to be
baptized.
Alma baptized them in the Waters of
Mormon. (See Mosiah 18:7–17.)
Alma taught that when we are
baptized we make covenants with
the Lord to:
Alma taught that when we are
baptized we make covenants with
the Lord to:
1. Come into the fold of God.
Alma taught that when we are
baptized we make covenants with
the Lord to:
1. Come into the fold of God.
2. Bear one another’s burdens.
Alma taught that when we are
baptized we make covenants with
the Lord to:
1. Come into the fold of God.
2. Bear one another’s burdens.
3. Stand as witnesses of God at all
times and in all places.
Alma taught that when we are
baptized we make covenants with
the Lord to:
1. Come into the fold of God.
2. Bear one another’s burdens.
3. Stand as witnesses of God at all
times and in all places.
4. Serve God and keep His
commandments.
When we are baptized and keep the
covenants of baptism, the Lord promises
to:
When we are baptized and keep the
covenants of baptism, the Lord promises
to:
1. Forgive our sins (see Acts 2:38; D&C
49:13).
When we are baptized and keep the
covenants of baptism, the Lord promises
to:
1. Forgive our sins (see Acts 2:38; D&C
49:13).
2. Pour out His Spirit more abundantly
upon us (seeMosiah 18:10).
When we are baptized and keep the
covenants of baptism, the Lord promises
to:
1. Forgive our sins (see Acts 2:38; D&C
49:13).
2. Pour out His Spirit more abundantly
upon us (see Mosiah 18:10).
3. Give us daily guidance and the help of
the Holy Ghost (see Acts 2:38; D&C 20:77).
When we are baptized and keep the
covenants of baptism, the Lord promises
to:
4. Let us come forth in the First
Resurrection (see Mosiah 18:9).
When we are baptized and keep the
covenants of baptism, the Lord promises
to:
4. Let us come forth in the First
Resurrection (seeMosiah 18:9).
5. Give us eternal life (see Mosiah 18:9).
What do you think
it means to bear
one another’s
burdens?
What do you think
it means to bear
one another’s
burdens?
to stand as a witness of God at all times and in
all places?
Baptism Gives Us a New
Beginning
With baptism we begin a new way of life.
With baptism we begin a new way of life.
That is why we call it a rebirth.
Jesus said that unless we are born of the water
and of the Spirit, we cannot enter the kingdom of
God (see John 3:3–5).
This principle was explained clearly to Adam:
“Inasmuch as ye were born into the world by
water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have
made, and so became of dust a living soul, even
so ye must be born again into the kingdom of
heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be
cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only
Begotten” (Moses 6:59).
The Apostle Paul said that after our baptism we
should begin a new life: “We are buried with him
by baptism; … even so we also should walk in
newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
One of the great blessings of baptism is that it
provides us with a new start on our way toward
our eternal goal.
How was your
baptism a new
beginning?
I
TESTIMONY
OUR CLOSING PRAYER WILL BE
GIVEN BY
(Enter Name Here)
THE END
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1
Matthew28:19–20
 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
 20 Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I
am with you always, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
Acts 22:16
 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and
be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling
on the name of the Lord.
D&C 20:37
 37 And again, by way of commandment to the church
concerning the manner of baptism—All those
who humble them selves before God, and desire to be
baptized, and come forth with broken hearts
and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that
they have truly repented of all their sins, and are
willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ,
having a determination to serve him to the end, and
truly manifest by their works that they have received
of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins,
shall be received by baptism into his church.
Moses 6:52
 52 And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto
me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and
repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even
in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who
is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the
only name which shall be given under heaven,
whereby salvation shall come unto the children of
men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking
all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it
shall be given you.
Matthew 3:15
 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be
so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all
righteousness. Then be suffered him.
2 Nephi 31:12–13
 12 And also, the voice of the Son came
unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my
name, to him will the Father givethe Holy
Ghost, like unto me;
wherefore, follow me, and do the things
which ye have seen me do.
2 Nephi 31:12–13
 13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye
shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting
no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with
real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the
Father that ye are willing to take upon you
the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following
your Lord and your Savior down into the water,
according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive
the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of
fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with
the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy
One of Israel.
3 Nephi 11:33–34
 33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the
same shall be saved; and they are they who
shall inherit the kingdom of God.
 34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is
not baptized, shall be damned.
2 Nephi 31:17–18
 17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told
you I have seen that your Lord and your
Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have
they been shown unto me, that ye might know
the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate
by which ye should enter is repentance
and baptism by water; and then cometh
a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy
Ghost.
2 Nephi 31:17–18
 18 And then are ye in this strait and
narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye
have entered in by the gate; ye have done
according to the commandments of the Father
and the Son; and ye have received the Holy
Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the
Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he
hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye
should receive.
D&C 20:73–74
 73 The person who is called of God and has authority
from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the
water with the person who has presented himself or
herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by
name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I
baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
 74 Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and
come forth again out of the water.
Romans 6:3–5
 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his
death?
 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
death: that like as Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life.
 5 For if we have been planted together in
the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the
likeness of his resurrection:
Matthew 19:14
 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid
them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom
of heaven.
Moroni 8:9–22
 9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest
the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son,
I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye
should baptize little children.
 10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye
teach—repentance and baptism unto those who
are accountableand capable of committing sin; yea,
teach parents that they must repent and be baptized,
and humble themselves as their little children, and
they shall all be saved with their little children.
Moroni 8:9–22
 11 And their little children need no repentance, neither
baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the
fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of
sins.
 12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the
foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God,
and also a changeable God, and a respecter to
persons; for how many little children have died
without baptism!
 13 Wherefore, if little children could not be saved
without baptism, these must have gone to an endless
hell.
Moroni 8:9–22
 14 Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that
little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness
and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith,
hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off
while in the thought, he must go down to hell.
 15 For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God
saveth one child because of baptism, and the other
must perish because he hath no baptism.
Moroni 8:9–22
 16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the
Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except
they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness,
having authorityfrom God; and I fear not what man
can do; for perfect lovecasteth out all fear.
 17 And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting
love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me;
wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and
they are all alike andpartakers of salvation.
 18 For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a
changeable being; but he
is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity..
Moroni 8:9–22
 19 Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful
wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto
them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy.
 20 And he that saith that little children need baptism
denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught
theatonement of him and the power of his
redemption.
 21 Wo unto such, for they are in danger of death, hell,
and an endless torment. I speak it boldly; God hath
commanded me. Listen unto them and give heed, or
they stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ.
Moroni 8:9–22
 22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ,
and also all they that are without the law. For the
power ofredemption cometh on all them that have no
law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that
is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto
such baptism availeth nothing—
Mosiah 18:8, 10
 8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold,
here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they
called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into
the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are
willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may
be light;
 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your
hearts, what have you against being baptized in
the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye
have entered into acovenant with him, that ye will
serve him and keep his commandments, that he may
pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Mosiah 18:7–17
 7 And it came to pass after many days there were a
goodly number gathered together at the place of
Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were
gathered together that believed on his word, to hear
him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them
repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.
 8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold,
here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they
called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into
the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are
willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may
be light;
Mosiah 18:7–17
 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those
that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need
of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all
times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be
in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God,
and be numbered with those of the first resurrection,
that ye may have eternal life—
 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your
hearts, what have you against being baptized in
the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye
have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will
serve him and keep his commandments, that he may
pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Mosiah 18:7–17
 11 And now when the people had heard these words,
they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is
the desire of our hearts.
 12 And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he
being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the
water, and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit
upon thy servant, that he may do this work with
holiness of heart.
Mosiah 18:7–17
 13 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the
Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee,
having authority from the Almighty God, as a
testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to
serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body;
and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon
you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through
the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from
the foundation of the world.
 14 And after Alma had said these words, both Alma
and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose
and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled
with the Spirit.
Mosiah 18:7–17
 15 And again, Alma took another, and went forth a
second time into the water, and baptized him
according to the first, only he did not
bury himself again in the water.
 16 And after this manner he did baptize every one that
went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in
number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and
they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and
were filled with the grace of God.
Mosiah 18:7–17
 17 And they were called the church of God, or
the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it
came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the
power and authority of God was added to his church.
You need to look this one up
You need to look up this scripture.