The World:—We will excuse the witness.
Latter-day Saints:—We have adduced enough evidence to convince every fair-minded person that water baptism is essential to his salvation. We have shown that it was instituted by the Lord from the beginning of the world for the remission of sins. The Israelites received the ordinance under the hands of Moses, and were all baptized in the cloud and in the sea. John, the forerunner of Messiah, was sent by God to preach baptism for the remission of sins. He baptized multitudes of people in the river Jordan for the remission of their sins. Christ the Son of God received baptism at the hands of John in order that He, too, might fulfill all righteousness. Jesus told the Jewish ruler that except a man were born of water and of the Spirit he could not enter the Kingdom of God. He commanded His disciples to "Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Peter, while preaching under the influence of the Holy Ghost, told the people on the day of Pentecost to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. The Lord Himself sent Ananias to Saul of Tarsus to tell him to arise and be baptised and wash away his sins. We preach the same doctrine that was taught by Christ and His Apostles, and say unto you, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
VI.—THE HOLY GHOST.
The World (to the Latter-day Saints):—According to the doctrine of your Church a man must be born of water and of the Spirit before he can enter the Kingdom of God.
Latter-day Saints:—In this we simply reiterate what Jesus said to the anxious Jewish ruler, Nicodemus. These are His words: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." (John 3: 5.) These are the words of the Son of God, and whenever He speaks all discussion should be closed.
The World:—You explained to us in the last examination that being born of the water means being baptized in water: what are we to understand by being born of the Spirit?
Latter-day Saints:—To be born of the Spirit means to be baptized with the Holy Ghost. All men must receive these two baptisms before they can become the sons of God. By being born of the flesh we become the sons of men: by being born of the water and of the Spirit we become the sons of God. We desire you to hear the testimony of John the Baptist on this important matter.
TESTIMONY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.
The World:—John, you told us on two former occasions that you were sent of God to prepare the way for His Only Begotten Son. What did you teach the people they had to do in order to be accepted of the Lord and admitted into His Kingdom?