John, known as "the Baptist," was preaching in Judea, and baptizing those "confessing their sins."
He said: "I baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." (Matt. 3:11.)Of this significant day in the biblical record, Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote in A New Witness for the Articles of Faith:
"In the midst of this great religious crusade, the Sinless One came and asked for baptism at John's hand. John knew that Jesus, who knew no sin, had no sins to be washed away in Jordan; John knew that the Son, to whom God had given the Spirit during every moment of His mortal life, had no need to receive the Holy Ghost, which was already His constant companion. To our Lord the Baptist said: I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?' Jesus said simply:Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.' Thereupon the Baptist immersed the Son of God in the water, the Spirit of God descended in sweet serenity upon the Mortal Messiah, and the Father said: `This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.' (Matt. 3:7-17.)
"The Son of God baptized by mortal man! Why? In what way did He fulfill all righteousness by submitting to the baptism of John? He, being holy, had no need for the remission of sins, no need to come forth in a newness of life, no need to become clean so as to be sanctified by the power of the Spirit.
" But notwithstanding he being holy,' Nephi says,he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.' Jesus was baptized as a token of humility, and in His baptism He made a covenant with His Father to love and serve Him everlastingly."
Elder McConkie noted that there were other reasons why Jesus was baptized. "His baptism `showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.' Though Jesus was God; though He reigned in the heavenly kingdom; though He was alive spiritually and fit in all respects to return to the presence of the Father - yet He was baptized. He was baptized in order to gain salvation in the celestial kingdom of God, thereby setting the perfect example for all men.
" And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?' asks Nephi.The Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. And also the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.' " (2 Ne. 31:5-12.)
Additional Information
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study. -Information compiled by Gerry Avant
-Sources: Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 5; The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff; James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ; Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1; The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball; and Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith
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