1. Jesus came to John the Baptist, In Judea long ago,
And was baptized by immersion In the River Jordan’s flow.
2. “To fulfill the law,” said Jesus, When the Baptist questioned why, “And to enter with my Father In the kingdom up on high.”
3. Now we know that we must also Witness faith in Jesus’ word,
Be baptized to show obedience, As was Jesus Christ, our Lord.
http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/baptism?lang=eng
The son born of Elisabeth became known as John the Baptist. As with Jesus, son of Mary, so with John—precious little is recorded of their years of youth. A single sentence tells us all that we know of John’s life from his birth to his public ministry: “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” John’s message was brief. He preached faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the bestowal of the Holy Ghost by an authority greater than that possessed by him. “I am not the Christ,” he told his faithful disciples, “but … I am sent before him.” “I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Then occurred the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist. Later Jesus testified, “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.”
All of us need points of reference—even models to follow. John the Baptist provides for us a flawless example of humility, as he deferred always to the One who was to come—the Savior of mankind. As the Savior demonstrated, the consecrated life is a pure life.
While Jesus is the only one to have led a sinless life, those who come unto Him and take His yoke upon them have claim on His grace, which will make them as He is, guiltless and spotless. With deep love the Lord encourages us in these words: “Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day” (3 Nephi 27:20).
John the Baptist was a choice spirit chosen to help build Heavenly Father’s kingdom by preparing the way for Jesus Christ; we are choice spirits chosen to help build Heavenly Father’s kingdom by helping people know more about Jesus Christ.
When we hear the transcendent truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, hope and faith begin to blossom inside of us. The more we fill our hearts and minds with the message of the risen Christ, the greater our desire is to follow Him and live His teachings. This, in turn, causes our faith to grow and allows the light of Christ to illuminate our hearts. As it does, we recognize the imperfections in our lives, and we desire to be cleansed of the depressing burdens of sin. We yearn for freedom from guilt, and this inspires us to repent.
Faith and repentance lead to the purifying waters of baptism, where we covenant to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and walk in His footsteps.
You have felt the peace of a pure little child at times when you have tried to be like Jesus. It may have come when you were baptized. He did not need baptism, because He was pure. But when you were baptized, you had the feeling of being washed clean, like a little child. When He was baptized, the heavens were opened, and He heard the voice of His Heavenly Father: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” You heard no voice, but you felt the approval of Heavenly Father for having done what Jesus did.
Do you remember the feeling you had when you were baptized — that sweet, clean feeling of a pure soul, having been forgiven, washed clean through the merits of the Savior?
I love the innocence of a child as they are getting ready to be baptized. They are so in tune with what will be happening. I love watching their faces as they come out of the water. They look as though they have the light of Christ in their eyes. My cousin who is 33 was recently rebaptized after losing herself down Satan’s path. It took a lot of repentance and humility but she made it again. She said the feeling she had was like God had wrapped his arms around her welcoming her home. What an amazing gift to be able to come back if you choose the wrong path.
Those who seek to follow the Savior will understand the importance of the ordinance of baptism. The Lamb without Blemish saw fit to submit himself to baptism by one holding the authority of the priesthood in order to 'fulfill all righteousness.' How much more each of us has need of the cleansing and saving power of this ordinance and the other ordinances of the gospel." — Dallin H. Oaks,
Posted by Sister Angie Nelson
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