Joseph Smith said: “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, If not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost” (History of the Church, 5:499).
I will never be able to understand the ordinance of baptism I know what it does and I have seen the change in peoples lives that it has made but how? I want to know how it is done. The symbolism of that ordinance and why it is a commandment for even Jesus Christ. Yes it does give us all a remission of our sins but what about Jesus? He had no sin so why would it be required of Him? I love these scriptures the reference is 2 Nephi 31 4-12
4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.
5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!
6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?
7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.
8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.
9 And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.
10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?
12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.
I don't know what else I could say then what has already been said. Other then leave my own testimony with Nephi's . We can not be Christian people unless we follow Jesus Christ and how can we profess to be followers of him if we do not accept the covenant of baptism in our lives? We baptized a man named Jim on October 8th and he said to me after he was confirmed a member in sacrament the following day that he never has felt more loved in his life. The love he felt was the love of God which is what we should desire above anything else in this world. I love this work and I love the ordinances that we as priesthood holders are able to perform for the salvation of our brethren. How great a responsibility we have been given!! I really don't know what else to say I am sorry for slacking at my blogs but we haven't had any time to get on here and do our online proselyting. I I am doing great we obviously had a baptism that was a long time coming, Jim has been investigating for almost 2 years now! The people that we are to teach are all around us they don't know it ad neither do we but is you listen to the Spirit and follow its promptings when it comes to sharing the gospel I PROMISE you that you will feel an increase in your testimony and you will feel the joy of helping someone receive the restored gospel!
Okay so this isn't the best blog just some random thoughts of mine but I will have a better one next week! I hope you all have a wonderful day!!
