Nephi Speaks of Christ's Baptism

Now I, Nephi, end my prophesying to you, my beloved people. I can only write a few of the things that I know will happen, and a few of the words of my brother Jacob.

What I have written so far is enough, except I must speak a few words about the doctrine of Christ. I will speak as plainly as I can, just as I spoke when I prophesied. My soul delights in plainness, for this is how the Lord works among His children. He gives us His light by speaking to us in our own language, according to our own understanding.

Remember the prophet, John the Baptist, whom the Lord showed me, who will baptize the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world? Now if the Lamb of God, being holy, needs to be baptized, how much more do we need to be baptized, being unholy?

I ask you, my beloved brethren, how will the Lamb of God fulfill all righteousness by being baptized? Even though He is holy, He will show all people that He will humble Himself before the Father with a mortal body, witnessing to His Father that He will be obedient and keep His commandments. After being baptized with water, the Holy Ghost will come upon Him in the form of a dove. This sets the example to all people, showing them just how straight the path, and how narrow the gate through which they should enter.

For Christ said to all, “Follow me.” And how can we follow Jesus unless we keep the Father’s commandments? The Father said, “Repent and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.” And the Son’s voice came to me, saying, “The Father will give the Holy Ghost, as He did to me, to all who are baptized in my name. So follow me and do what you have seen me do.”

I, Nephi, know that you must sincerely follow the Son, with honest intentions, not trying to deceive others before God as a hypocrite. If you follow the Son, repenting of your sins, witnessing to the Father that you are willing to take the name of Christ upon you, by baptism, by following your Lord and Savior down into the water according to His word, then you will receive the Holy Ghost. Then the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost will come and you will be able to speak as the angels, shouting praises to the Holy One of Israel.

The Son’s voice also came to me, saying, “If you repent, witnessing to the Father that you are willing to keep my commandments by being baptized, and receive the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and speak with the tongue of angels, and after all this deny me, then it would have been better for you if you had never known me.” I also heard the Father say, “Yes, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. Those who continue in righteousness throughout their lives will be saved.”

Now, my beloved brothers and sisters, because of what I have heard, I know that unless you follow the example of the Son of the living God by continuing in righteousness throughout your lives, you cannot be saved. So do the things that your Lord and Redeemer will do; be baptized as He. His baptism was shown to me so that I could tell you how to repent, be baptized and receive a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

And then you are on the straight and narrow path; you have entered at the gate. By being baptized, you obey the Father’s and the Son’s commandments and are promised the gift of the Holy Ghost, who witnesses of the Father and of the Son.

After you have been baptized and have received the Holy Ghost, have you done everything? No, you have not, for you could not have done these things without relying entirely upon Christ—having an unshakable faith in Him, who is mighty to save you.

You must keep your faith in Christ strong, having a perfect brightness of hope, loving God and all mankind. If you keep your faith strong by feasting on Christ’s words, and continue in righteousness throughout your life, then the Father will say, “You shall have eternal life.” This is the only way and name given under heaven by which God’s children can be saved in His kingdom. This is the doctrine of Christ—the only true doctrine of God the Father, of His Son, Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Ghost, who are as one God forever. Amen.