A SAVING ORDINANCE

 

I witnessed the baptism of my grandson this weekend. Each time I hear a talk about baptism on such an occasion, my blood pressure rises, because it confirms to me how little we understand this saving priesthood ordinance in the Church, despite the fact that we have the Book of Mormon which makes it so plan to our understanding. Here is what Elder Renlund said in his conference talk last year:

“As an eight-year-old, I had mistakenly presumed that the water of baptism washed away sins. Not so. In the years since my baptism, I have learned that sins are cleansed by the power of Jesus Christ through His atoning sacrifice as we make and keep the baptismal covenant. Then, through the gift of repentance, we can remain clean. I have also learned that the sacrament brings a powerful virtuous cycle into our lives, enabling us to retain a remission of our sins.” (Elder Renlund, Jesus Christ is the Treasure, General Conference 2023)

Over and over I hear that baptism washes our sins away. I guess the misunderstanding comes from the fact that we use water to wash things clean. Baptism by immersion does not do the same. The baptismal water symbolizes new birth. When we are born physically we emerge from the water of the womb and when we are born spiritually we emerge from the water of baptism. By this immersion we accept a new life in Christ and make a covenant of obedience (Romans 6:4).

-        If water washed away sins, Jesus would never have been baptized because He was sinless. What He did by being baptized is make a covenant of obedience with the Father (2 Nephi 31:7).

-        If water washed away sins, we would not be baptizing children at 8 years of age. Children under that age are not accountable and are therefore considered sinless. Hence, there are no sins to be washed away. They are baptized at 8 years of age to make a covenant of obedience  because they are henceforth accountable.

-        It is not ‘baptism by immersion for forgiveness of sins’. It is ‘baptism by immersion for remission of sins’. The water does not have power to forgive sins, only ‘the power of Jesus Christ through His atoning sacrifice’ does, as Elder Renlund stated.

The idea of purification by the waters of baptism is suggested in Acts 22:16. I am certain that Paul, while recounting his conversion story, did not expound on all that the ordinance of baptism entails. Once again, the Book of Mormon brings the second part of this ordinance to light: “For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and THEN cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 31:17).

What does a remission of sins mean? When we enter the covenant of baptism, our sins are then put into remission until the day of forgiveness which comes through sanctification by the Holy Ghost, made possible because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. It is akin to having cancer and receiving treatment which puts the cancer into remission. The cancer can always return just as our sins can if they are not kept in remission. Elder Renlund stated this in his aforementioned talk: “….the treasured blessings of the sacrament are available to us each time we attend sacrament meeting. We are promised that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion if we approach the sacrament the way a new convert approaches baptism and confirmation, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a determination to live up to that baptismal covenant. The Holy Ghost blesses us with His sanctifying power so that we can always retain a remission of our sins, week in and week out.”

Imagine what an important role the sacrament has! It makes the power of the Atonement active in our lives constantly. I am grateful for the privilege of the saving ordinance of baptism. When I was baptized at 18 years of age, I understood very little of this doctrine but I will never forget rising out of the baptismal water filled with such gratitude that I burst into tears. It’s something I should remember much more often….

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: To Fulfill All Righteousness by Liz Lemon Swindle)