The World:—Paul, did you teach the people that water baptism was practiced by the Israelites before the days of John the Baptist?
Paul:—I did. Water baptism is one of the ordinances of the Gospel—the true Gospel, which embraces one Lord, one faith and one baptism. That Gospel was preached to the people in the days of Abraham; and also to the Israelites under Moses. Have you not read what I wrote to the Galatians, the Hebrews and the Corinthians concerning this matter? I quote from my epistles: "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Gal. 3: 8.) "For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." (Heb. 4: 2.) "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (I Cor. 10: 1, 2.)
The World:—Paul, you have clearly proved the antiquity of baptism. We will excuse you for the present.
Latter-day Saints:—We can prove to you beyond the possibility of doubt that water baptism is essential to man's salvation. As you know, nearly all the Christian sects believe in and practice some form of baptism, but, with two or three exceptions, none of them believe that that ordinance aids, even in the slightest degree, in the salvation of the souls of men. This is a mistake. Baptism is one of the first ordinances of the Gospel, and is as essential to man's salvation as any other ordinance that God has ever revealed.
The World:—We are ready to hear your witnesses on this matter.
Latter-day Saints:—The first witness that we will introduce is John the Baptist.
TESTIMONY OF JOHN.
The World:—Your name is John?
John:—It is.
The World:—You told us on a former occasion that you were called of God to go before Christ and prepare His way.