OBJECT OF BAPTISM.
The primary aim and end of baptism is the remission of sins. This subject is fully explained by the Lord to our Father Adam. "Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children, saying, That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory: For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified; therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory;" P. of G. P., p. 16.
The above quotation is full of meaning, but it is evident, at once, that the object of baptism is to open the way through which, alone, men may attain to all the blessings of salvation and eternal life. It was especially the mission of John the Baptist to preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Mark 1. 4.
On the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter very earnestly exhorted the multitude, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;" Acts 2. 38.
The Apostle Paul says, "Without shedding of blood is no remission;" Heb. 9. 22. John the Apostle also asserts the same doctrine: "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin;" 1 John 1. 7. It is evident, from the tenor of the sacred writings, that only by being buried with Christ in water, by baptism, is the shedding of his blood available to man for the remission of sins.
Bible.
Luke 3. 3 John preached the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.
Acts 22. 16 arise and be baptized and wash away your sins.
Eph. 5. 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water.
Titus 3. 5 by the washing of regeneration.
1 Peter 3. 21 the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.
Book of Mormon.
2 Nephi 31. 17 after baptism by water, cometh the remission of sins.
Alma 7. 14 be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins.
3 Nephi 1. 23 baptism unto repentance, in which there was a remission of sins.
7. 25 baptism by water, a witness of repentance and a remission of sins.
18. 30 the sacrament to be administered only to those who have been baptized.
30. 2 come to me and be baptized, for the remission of sins.
Moroni 8. 11 baptism and fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 19. 31 Shalt declare repentance and remission of sins by baptism and by fire.
55. 2 repentance and remission of sins by way of baptism.
68. 27 children to be baptized for remission of sins when eight years old.
76. 51, 52 baptism and remission of sins necessary, in order to come forth in the resurrection of the just.
84. 27 the Gospel of repentance, and of baptism, and remission of sins.
74 those not baptized for the remission of sins shall be damned.
Miscellaneous Passages.
Matt. 3. 7 when he saw Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism.
20. 22 are ye able to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? Mark 10. 39.
21. 25 the baptism of John, was it from heaven or of men? Mark 11. 30. Luke 20. 4.
28. 19 go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them.
Mark 1. 8 I, indeed, have baptized you with water.
Luke 3. 7 said he to the multitude that came to be baptized of him. 12.
16 John answered, I indeed baptize you with water. 21.
7. 29 the publicans justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30.
12. 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with.
John 1. 25 why baptizest thou, if thou be not the Christ?
26 1 baptize with water, but there standeth one among you. 28.
33 he that sent me to baptize with water, said to me;
3. 22 there he tarried with them and baptized. 23.
4. 1 that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.
Acts 1. 5 John baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 22.
2. 41 then they that gladly received his word were baptized.
8. 12 when they believed Philip they were baptized, both men and women. 13.
16 as yet he was fallen on none of them, only they were baptized.
36 see, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized?
9. 18 Saul received sight and arose and was baptized.
10. 37 that word published throughout all Judea, after the baptism John preached. 47.
16. 15 Lydia, when she was baptized, and her household, besought us. 33.
18. 8 many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized. 25.
1 Cor. 1. 13 or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14, 16, 17.
12. 13 for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body.
Gal. 3. 27 as many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.
Eph. 4. 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Heb. 6. 2 of the doctrine of baptism and laying on of hands.
Book of Mormon.
1 Nephi 10. 9 my father said, he should baptize in Bethabary beyond Jordan; also, that he should baptize the Messiah with water. 10.
2 Nephi 31. 4 the prophet the Lord showed me should baptize the Lamb of God. 6-10, 13.
14 if ye should deny me after being baptized with water and the Holy Ghost, better if ye had not known me.
Mos. 18. 10 what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord?
21. 33 many desirous of being baptized, but there was none having authority. 35.
25. 17, 18 Alma baptized the people of Limhi.
Alma 7. 15 baptism a witness that we covenant with God to keep his commandments.
15. 13 Alma consecrated priests and teachers, to baptize unto the Lord.
19. 35 the Lamanites that believed were baptized, and became a righteous people. 36.
Hel. 16. 1 when they found Nephi they desired to be baptized. 3.
3 Nephi 11. 21, 22 the Lord gave Nephi, and others, power to baptize.
12. 1 Jesus called twelve and gave them authority to baptize.
19. 10-13 Nephi, and all those whom Jesus had chosen, were baptized.
26. 17 the disciples whom Jesus had chosen began to baptize as many as came to them.
27. 1 as the disciples were journeying and baptizing in the name of Jesus.
28. 18 uniting to the church those who believed on their preaching, baptizing them.
Mormon 7. 10 are first baptized with water, following the example of our Savior.
9. 29 see that ye are not baptized unworthily.
Moroni 6. 1-4 explains who are fit subjects for baptism.
8. 4-22 why little children are not fit subjects for baptism.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 18. 7 as thou hast been baptized by my servant, J. Smith, Jun.
20. 37 qualifications necessary for baptism and reception into the church.
38-58 duties of the Priesthood in connection with baptism.
68 duty of members after they receive baptism.
22. 1, 2 old covenants of no avail; necessary to be baptized to enter the new covenant.
39. 20 go forth baptizing with water, preparing the way. 23.
52. 10 let them go, two by two, baptizing by water and laying on hands.
134. 12 not lawful to baptize bond servants, without consent of their masters.
See Testimonies of ancient and modern authors in relation to baptism, Mil. Star, Vol. 21, pages 687, 721, 754, 768, 801, 833, and Vol. 22, pages 44, 142, 491.
O. Spencer's Letters to Rev. Wm. Crowel, No 4.
A Pamphlet by O. Pratt.
History of J. Smith, Mar. 20, 1842.
Mil. Star, Vol. 33, pages 65, 82.
Article by N. Williams, Mil. Star, Vol. 41, page 84.