How to Be Baptized

Those who have faith in Christ and repent of their sins must be baptized, as explained in the article, Why Be Baptized?) But it is necessary for baptism to be administered in a proper way and with the proper authority.

Baptism By Authority: Jesus revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that one must be baptized by proper priesthood authority. He said, "The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism." (D&C 20:73.)

In The Book of Mormon when Christ visited the Nephites he gave them the authority to baptize. He said, "I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven. And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize" (3 Nephi 11:21-22.)

Authority from John the Baptist: On May 15, 1829 John the Baptist, as a resurrected being, visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. He gave unto them the Aaronic Priesthood and the authority, called keys, to baptize. (See Joseph Smith History 1:68-72.) This authority has been conferred (given) to worthy men ever since to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins.

Baptism By Immersion: Christ taught, "Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—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 ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.

"And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name" (3 Nephi 11:23-27.)

Symbol of Baptism By Immersion: Being immersed in water and coming back up again is a symbol of death and resurrection. Just as Christ died and was resurrected we too will die and be resurrected. The Apostle Paul taught:

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." (Romans 6:3-5.)

Baptism Available for Dead: What about those who died before they could be baptized or who've never even heard about Christ, repentance, and baptism? Continue reading in this article, "Baptism for the Dead" to learn more.