About Baptism

Question

This Saturday I get to give a talk on Baptism at the baptism of a friend. Do you have any suggestions of something I could say for her?
Thanks, Heather


Answer

This is my favorite scripture about baptism. The story is good, but more importantly it explains the commitments we make at baptism and renew when we take the sacrament. It also describes the Lord's promises to us.


See Mosiah 18:8-10 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mosiah/18)

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;
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?


Baptism serves as a witness before Christ that
1. we desire to come into the fold of God (v. 8)
2. we want to be called his people (v. 8)
3. we are willing to bear each other's burdens (v. 8)
4. we are willing to mourn with those that mourn (v. 9)
5. we will comfort those who need comfort (v. 9)
6. we will stand as witnesses to God at all times in all things and places all our lives (v. 9)
7. we will serve him and (v. 10)
8. we will keep his commandments (v. 10)


In return God promises
1. that we will be redeemed (v. 9)
2. rise in the first resurrection (v. 9)
3. receive eternal life (v. 9)
4. and he will pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon us (v. 10)