The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Baptism

In 2nd Nephi 9:23 it says that we are commanded to repent and be baptized. I had the opportunity this week to teach in primary about Baptism. Because they are only 7 years old, I had to simplify it down to the basics, and it was kind of challenging. I kept thinking of all the elaborate stories that I heard in Sunday School and Relief Society, but I couldn't talk about it because they wouldn't understand.

I boiled baptism down to a couple things: Why are we baptized? We are baptized because it is a commandment and by following this commandment we are able to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. Where are we baptized? Most people are baptized in a font, but you can be baptized in a lake or river. How are we baptized? We are baptized by immersion. This step is so important that if a toe or hair or even part of your clothes comes out of the water, you have to be baptized again. I like this rather than getting sprinkled with water. I think it shows how important the ordinance is. It requires special clothes and witnesses and the prayer has to be just right and you have to go all the way under. There are very few times that we are totally immersed in water (unless we are swimming). 

Who baptizes us? A man with the priesthood authority.This was a big part of our lesson as this is what distinguishes us from other churches. Even if someone were to be baptized by immersion with the same prayer, it would not be a valid ordinance unless the baptizer had the priesthood. Some people are so upset that woman can't have the priesthood. First- I would say that women can't be ordained to an office of the priesthood- but we definitely operate under that same priesthood power. Secondly I am so grateful that my husband has the priesthood, we really need each other to get through this life. 

I am so grateful to be able to focus on the basics of the gospel while having this calling. We do not have to get into deep doctrine all the time. I feel like sometimes that pure and simple truths are lost when we focus on all these crazy stories and "what if's." Take some time to just ponder the gospel in its most simplest terms, I know my testimony has been strengthened because of it.