Why be baptized?

One of the most common similarities across all of Christianity is the concept of baptism. Each denomination may do it differently, but there seems to be a sense of necessity present in every instance. Why is that? In the end, it comes down to the life and teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ. To start his public ministry, Christ traveled to John to be baptized in the Jordan River. Why John when there were many people in his day doing baptisms? The answer is because John had the authority from God to baptize. He could do it by God's power, in God's way. In addition to his example, Christ also taught, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16)." Baptism is an ordinance that is necessary for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father again.


In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the authority to perform the ordinance of baptism has been restored. The same authority John the Baptist held. Through it, people can be baptized for the remission of sins and open the gate to eternal life with Heavenly Father. As missionaries we follow the Savior's command to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matt 28:19)."

So why baptism? Because "no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end (3 Ne 27:19)." Baptism and repentance are a gift. If we will utilize them to show our commitment and faith in Christ, we will be happy in this life and be able to dwell with him again hereafter.

The Mediator

President Boyd K. Packer gave this analogy in an address he gave in 1977. In it, he explains the laws of justice and mercy, and how both can be satisfied only through the inclusion of a mediator.



I think that we can all relate to the young man at some point in our lives. We all feel like we can do whatever we would like and the day of accountability will never arrive. Unfortunately, God will require us to be responsible for everything we have done with our time here on earth. Since all of us have messed up at some point or another, it seems logical that all are now doomed to suffer under consequences of a just law and a just God. But in His mercy, God sent His son Jesus Christ to suffer for us and thus become the mediator in our contract. Through him, we are able to become clean and inherit eternal life, "the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 14:7)." With Christ as our new creditor and with the commandments he has set, we are able to fulfill our obligations and become clean through him. It may not be easy, but it is possible.

Declaring vs. Doing

Unfortunately for Michael Scott, declaring bankruptcy is not as easy as merely yelling the word "bankruptcy." He probably was confused when someone told him that if he would only declare bankruptcy, his problems would go away. The real problem, though, arose in Michael's misunderstanding of what it meant to "declare" bankruptcy. In reality, declaring bankruptcy is a lengthy process, requiring dozens of forms, consultations, and court hearings. It is something that takes a lot of work and is hardly a passive or easy process.

The same principle applies in our spiritual lives as well. There are some in the world that would say all that is necessary is to say that you believe and that will suffice. Christ spoke against this lack of responsibility when he said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21)." In addition to "declaring" our willingness, we also have to "do" the will of the Father. So what is the will of the Father? When speaking to the people in the Americas, Christ said, "And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day (3 Nephi 27:19-20)." There is a way to become clean and it is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He has asked that we but have faith, repent, be baptized, receive and follow the Holy Ghost, and follow his commandments to the end. Or in other words, "the will of the Father." At times it may not seem like the easiest process, but the gift of becoming clean and pure is worth any sacrifice we may have to make in our lives.

What Will You Give This Christmas?

It's Christmas time was again! Every year when December rolls around, I get excited for the season and the joy it seems to bring into everyone's life. One of the most often questions asked this time of year is, "What are you getting someone for Christmas?" Even though the focus of Christmas may change over the years, the concept of giving has always remained at the heart. When most people think of the first Christmas gifts given, they usually think of the 3 wise men and their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In reality, however, the first gift given was the gift of our Savior given by our Heavenly Father that first Christmas night. The immortal words of Isaiah still resonate today, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)." Truly this was a day that generations of men and women had faithfully waited for. A day when the Savior would come, and with his life and his death, open the doors of salvation to all of God's children.

So, what will you give this Christmas? Why not give the one of the greatest gifts we can: to give of ourselves. As we give of ourselves in service and love to others, we are following the example of Jesus Christ and giving as he would give. We feel the spirit of Christmas in abundance and then realize that it is in fact, the spirit of Christ. As President Monson states, we more fully understand Christmas when we but drop the last syllable and recognize Christ as the purpose of it.

Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor

I think that this video truly captures the spirit of what Christ meant when he said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Matt 22:39)." To see an entire community come out to help and support this family in their time of crisis is absolutely incredible. After I watched this, I immediately thought, "Do I do enough to help those in need around me?" While some people may have readily visible needs such as this family, other are more subtle. For some the hurt is emotional or spiritual and can rarely been seen with the physical eye.  When we are baptized into the Church of Christ, we promise to take upon the name of Christ and help those around us. As representatives of Jesus Christ we seek to bring all men to his feet so that he can heal them through the power of his atonement. He called out to all of the weary when he said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28)." He has offered the invitation, now it is our responsibility to lift ourselves and others into his out-stretched arms. Remember the words of King Benjamin, "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God (Mosiah 2:17)."

The Most Important Pearl of All

In the world of pearls, it seems like there are limitless options. When you go to a jeweler you have the option of white, black, pink, round, oblong, salt water, fresh water, and everything in between. These pearls are each the result of an oyster coating over and over again some foreign object it finds lodged inside its shell. Each one is appraised beforehand to determine how much it is worth and at what price it can reasonably be sold. Each year people travel all over the world in search of the biggest, best, and most expensive pearls to sell to their customers. To many that pearl would represent an achievement in their lives and a sign of their wealth.

In the scriptures, a reference to a pearl is made to illustrate the kind of wealth we should seek. In Matthew 13:45-46, the Savior likens the kingdom of heaven to a "pearl of great price" that a merchant man gives everything he possesses to obtain. The Lord was instructing his listeners that his gospel, or the way to the kingdom of heaven, was worth anything we may be required to give up. To the rich young ruler Christ said that if he would give up his treasures and follow him, then he would be able to inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:20-22). In most of our lives, the Lord requires us to offer are desires and our sins to him. He asks us to stop doing those things that are contrary to the commandments and follow him. To some it may be quitting an addiction to cigarettes or alcohol. For others it may mean foregoing Sunday activities in order to worship him in church. No matter what the sacrifice may be, Christ has always promised that the reward, or pearl, would be worth far more than anything we may have given up.