WAIT. WHAT?! BAPTISM DIDN’T WASH AWAY MY SINS?

PRESIDENT M. RUSSELL BALLARD THINKING ABOUT YOU

“As I think about your schedules and the pressures you face at this time in your lives, I can understand why scripture study can so easily be neglected. You have many demands pulling at you. In some cases, just maintaining your social life is a full-time occupation. But I plead with you to make time for immersing yourselves in the scriptures.  Couple scripture study with your prayers. Half an hour each morning privately studying, pondering, and communicating with your Heavenly Father can make an amazing difference in your lives. It will give increased success in your daily activities. It will bring increased alertness to your minds. It will give you comfort and rock-steady assurance when the storms of life descend upon you” (“Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might,” BYU Fireside, March 2002).

.  .  .  .  .

WAIT. WHAT?! BAPTISM DIDN’T WASH AWAY MY SINS?

At one baptismal service a pair of eight-year-old cousins were sharing their baptism day.
After the first cousin came out of the water, the second refused to get into the baptismal font for her turn.  

“Aren’t you going to drain the water?” She asked her father.  

“No why?” Inquired her dad.   

“I don’t want to go in there. That water is full of sin!” 

Although this story may make you smile, many members of the Church misinterpret the meaning and purpose of Baptism thinking that is truly an event that washes away past sins.
It’s not uncommon to hear a well meaning lifelong member of the Church telling a newly baptized member of the Church that they are the “cleanest and most perfect person” in the room.
While there is truth to the idea that the baptismal ordinance represents a symbolic cleansing  (see Acts 22:16), it does not however make one individual any more perfect than another.  

THE ORDINANCE OF BAPTISM: THREE BEAUTIFUL SYMBOLS
• Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (see Romans 6:3–5; D&C 128:12–13).
• Baptism symbolizes a rebirth to a newness of life (see Moses 6:59; John 3:3–5).
• Baptism symbolizes washing and cleansing (see D&C 39:10; Moses 6:59).

THE COVENANT OF BAPTISM: THREE BEAUTIFUL PROMISES
• Take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ — Think, Act, Speak, Serve, and Love as if you were Him.
• Always remember Him — Remember and be grateful for His perfect life and example, and His loving selfless sacrifice.
• Keep the commandments and Standards He has given His disciples — Strive to become like Him.
Click here to learn more about the Covenant of Baptism

So if Baptism is only a symbolic cleansing and doesn’t really cleanse us from sin then why do we feel so clean? 

PLEASE OPEN YOUR SCRIPTURES TO
MORONI 6

As you study record your thoughts and feelings in your journal or in your Gospel Library Scripture Notes
As you do this, the things you learn from the Spirit will not fade away and you will receive more.

In four verses Moroni teaches the proper sequence and purpose of Baptism— he also tells us why we feel so clean.
Study verses 1-3 and list the steps before someone can be baptized?
• According to verse 2 what is the primary purpose of Baptism? For a cross-reference-clue see 2 Nephi 31:7
• According to verse 4 why do we feel so clean?
If someone present at the Baptism feels the Holy Ghost as strongly as the person being baptized who is cleaner?

WHY DO WE RECORD EVERYTHING SO CAREFULLY?
Once baptized and confirmed, the ward clerk fills out a baptismal certificate and new member’s name is placed on the records of the Church.
Read Moroni 6:4 and answer the question: Why does the Lord want our names to be written?
• Look-up in your ward directory in LDS Tools and view the names of the youth in your class or quorum.
• As you look over their names, do the things Moroni taught: remember, nourish, keep in the right way, continually watching unto prayer, relying on Christ.
• Listen to impressions you feel as you look over their names.
• Who could be benefit by knowing that someone remembers them?
• What could you do this week to show that you remember them?  

WHY DO WE NEED TO BELONG TO AN ORGANIZED CHURCH?
In 2020 the Church introduced new guidelines to the Youth Program. Part of those changes were to introduce emblems of belonging.  

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines emblem as: “A picture representing one thing to the eye, and another to the understanding; a painted enigma, or a figure representing some obvious history, instructing us in some moral truth.” 

We talk about the emblems of the sacrament, bread and water, representing the body and blood of Christ.  

The Church’s website states:
“Children and Youth represents a worldwide group of individuals striving to become more like Jesus Christ. To represent that unity, children and youth will receive several emblems during their time in Primary, Aaronic Priesthood quorums, and Young Women classes. They can also receive emblems of achievement near the completion of their time in Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Young Women classes.” 

Read Moroni 6:4-9 Look for Moroni’s definition of belonging then study the following descriptions and pictures of the emblems and answer the following question:

POWERFUL EMBLEMS OF BELONGING
The year a child turns 8 years old, they will receive a ring with a temple insignia and a picture of the temple in their temple district. (see below)

The year a youth in the Church turns 12 years old, they will receive a temple recommend holder.
Young Women will also receive a medallion with a temple insignia and gem pendant. Young men will also receive a ring with a temple insignia. (see below)

The year a youth turns 18, the young men will receive an oil vial with a temple insignia they can use after they are ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood. (see below)
Young women will receive a pendant with a temple insignia that can be added to the chain with their medallion. (see below)

During the year a young man or young woman turns 18, he or she (with parents, if desired) will have the opportunity to meet with the bishop to discuss his or her progress.
In this setting, the bishop will present a certificate from the First Presidency, as well as the Children and Youth crystal etched with a picture the “Christus Statue” — the living Christ.
The Bishop will give these emblems of achievement to youth who are trying to become more like the Savior by striving to:

• Study the scriptures and pray daily.

• Be worthy of a limited-use temple recommend.

• Participate in Sabbath meetings, quorum or class work, and seminary.

• Work on goals in each area of growth.

• Serve others in a personally significant way, which could include a service project.

New converts, those who have not been actively participating in Children and Youth or the Church, and those who are not members of the Church may also receive the emblems of achievement the year they turn 18 if, at the time of their interview, they are actively working to develop these patterns of discipleship.

The cleansing power of Christ’s Atonement is felt every time we feel the Spirit. Baptism is a witness that we are willing to live worthy of the Spirit. When we belong to Christ’s Church we strive to remember and nourish the souls of family and friends.

EXTRA MILE LEARNING JOURNEY: WHY DO YOU GO TO CHURCH?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland observed,
“Most people don’t come to church looking merely for a few new gospel facts or to see old friends, though all of that is important. They come seeking a spiritual experience. They want peace. They want their faith fortified and their hope renewed. They want, in short, to be nourished by the good word of God, to be strengthened by the powers of heaven. Those of us who are called upon to speak or teach or lead have an obligation to help provide that, as best we possibly can.” (“A Teacher Come from God,” April 1998 General Conference)

President Dallin H. Oaks quoting a member of the Church named Mark Skousen,
“Years ago, I changed my attitude about going to church. No longer do I go to church for my sake, but to think of others. I make a point of saying hello to people who sit alone, to welcome visitors, … to volunteer for an assignment. … In short, I go to church each week with the intent of being active, not passive, and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Consequently, my attendance at Church meetings is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling.”  (“Unselfish Service,” April 2009 General Conference)

As you watch one of the following short videos, think about what you can do to fulfill the purpose of the Church that Christ restored and you have the opportunity to belong to:

What is one thing you learned today that you want to remember to teach your children one day?

Make sure to record your thoughts, feelings, and impressions so they will not be lost.