"And he said unto them, on this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you. Verily I say unto you that who so repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize him; behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. And now, behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:
'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.'
And then shall we immerse them in the water and come forth again out of the water."[A]
[Footnote A: III Nephi xi:22-26.]
3. The Symbol of the Atonement in Baptism: In this ordinance we have recognized first of all Jesus Christ in whose authority the administrator acts—"Having authority given me of Jesus Christ," etc.
"I baptize you * * * then shall we immerse them in the water and come forth again out of the water." By this immersion in the water is symbolized the death and burial of the Christ, the Atonement he made for the sins of man. In the coming forth again out of the water, is symbolized the resurrection of the Christ, his triumph over death, the victory side of the Atonement; death is conquered, life is triumphant; Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection and through him all men participate in the resurrection. "For since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.'"[A]
[Footnote A: Cor. xv:21, 22.]
Nor is this all; but in baptism is symbolized the forgiveness of sins to the baptized. John preached "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."[A] Peter commanded the multitude on the day of Pentecost to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.[B] "Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins."[C] "Come unto me and be baptized in my name that ye may receive a remission of your sins."[D] "Thou shalt declare * * * remission of sins by baptism."[E] "Preach repentance and remission of sins by way of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ."[F]
[Footnote A: Mark i:4. Luke iii:3.]
[Footnote B: Acts ii:38.]
[Footnote C: Acts xxii:16.]
[Footnote D: III Nephi xxx:2.]