MODE OF BAPTISM.
Not only is the necessity of baptism taught us by the highest possible authority, but, as well, the manner in which that ordinance is to be administered.
Adam, the Father of the race, set an example for all his children to follow. "And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water. And thus he was baptized; and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man;" P. of G. P., p. 17.
Christ went where John was baptizing in the river Jordan, to be baptized of him, and "when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water;" Matt. 3. 16. That he was immersed, or buried in the water, is evident from the sayings of the Apostle Paul, "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;" Rom. 6. 4, 5. "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God;" Col. 2. 12.
The meaning of these passages is evident. If we would come forth in the resurrection in the likeness of Christ, we must, like him, be buried in the water, and come forth out of the water, in the likeness of his burial and resurrection.
The Nephites knew no other mode of Gospel baptism than immersion. Said Jesus to his Nephite disciples, "And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water;" 3 Nephi 11. 26.
When our Savior sent forth his Jewish disciples to preach the Gospel, he authorized them to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; Matt. 28. 19. He instructed his Nephite disciples to use the following words, "Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen;" 3 Nephi 11. 25.
Quite explicit instructions on this subject are given to the Latter-day Saints in the Doc. & Cov.: "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 him 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. Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water;" 20. 73, 74.
Under date of May, 1829, we find the following account of the baptism of J. Smith, Jun., and O. Cowdery, being the first baptisms in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "Accordingly we went and were baptized, I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me, after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood—for so were we commanded. * * * It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of the Messenger, and baptized. Immediately on our coming up out of the water, after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings."
Bible.
Matt. 3. 6 all baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
3. 13 then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John.
John 3. 23 John was baptizing in Enon near Salem, because there was much water there.
Acts 8. 38, 39 Philip went down into the water with the eunuch.
22. 16 arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins.
1 Cor. 10. 2 all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
Titus 3. 5 by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Book of Mormon.
Mos. 18. 12-17 a description of the manner in which Alma baptized the Lamanites in the waters of Mormon.
26. 15 blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Mormon.
Alma 4. 4 many were baptized by Alma in the river Sidon.
3 Nephi 11. 23-28 conditions for and form of baptism.
19. 11-13 Nephi, and his brethren, went down into the water, and came up out of the water.
Pearl of Great Price.
Page 17. Adam was laid under the water, and brought forth out of the water.
18. Enoch was commanded to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.