Baptism

Holy Bible, John 3:5

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Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare you for baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Jesus Christ taught by example that everyone must be baptized of water and of the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins.  Through baptism by one who holds priesthood authority and through receiving the Holy Ghost, you will be spiritually reborn.

When you are baptized by one with the priesthood authority given by God, having repented you receive a remission of your sins ( Acts 2:38).  You make a covenant, or promise, with God to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, to follow Him, and to keep His commandments.   In return, He promises to forgive your sins and let you return to live with Him, provided you keep your covenants.  You are briefly immersed in water, as Jesus Christ was baptized. Baptism by immersion is a sacred symbol of the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it represents the end of your old life and the beginning of a new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

We must be baptized to become members of the restored Church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and to eventually enter the kingdom of heaven.  This ordinance is a law of God and must be performed by His authority.  A bishop or mission president must give a priesthood holder permission to perform a baptism or conferral of the Holy Ghost.

Little children do not need to be baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which is eight years of age, as they are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ ( Moroni 8:4–24; Doctrine and Covenants 68:27) . 

Repentance

The process of experiencing sincere regret or sorrow for wrongdoing, confessing one’s sin and asking for forgiveness, making restitution for any damage done, and committing not to repeat the sin. Repentance is made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, who paid the price for the sins of all humanity.

Holy Ghost

Also called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, and the Comforter. He witnesses, or testifies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and reveals and teaches the truth.

Priesthood

The power and authority of God, given to men on earth to act in all things for the salvation of God’s children.

Authority

The right to function in certain capacities in the Church.

Covenant

A binding and solemn agreement, contract, or promise between God and a person or group of persons upon which eternal blessings are based.

Commandment

Instructions given by God to His children to prepare them for eternal life in the world to come.

Sacred

Regarded with reverence; holy.

Ordinance

A sacred rite or ceremony performed by the power of the priesthood and intended to bless God’s children. Some ordinances, such as baptism, are essential for salvation. Other ordinances, such as administering to the sick, constitute gifts from God to His children which are not essential for salvation. Many ordinances have symbolic meaning.

Bishop

A man who has been ordained and set apart as the presiding high priest for a ward, or congregation. He has overall responsibility for ministering the temporal and spiritual affairs of the congregation.

Confirmation

An ordinance in which a person is confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. The ordinance is performed after baptism.

Mercy

The compassion, forgiveness, and forbearance of God with respect to sinners, as made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Baptism

An essential step in receiving forgiveness of sins. Through baptism and confirmation by priesthood authority, we become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Baptism is by immersion, meaning that the person being baptized is briefly submerged in water. Baptism shows our willingness to follow Christ’s example and to make covenants with God.

Resurrection

After physical death, the reuniting of the spirit with the perfected physical body of flesh and bones. Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected.