Relief Society Lesson 11-14-2010

Baptism

Lesson 20

The Commandment to be baptized

·         Why must we be baptized?

(1)  Baptism is one of the first ordinances of the gospel.  We must be baptized for the remission of our sins.  When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, repent, and are baptized, our sins are forgiven through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  We must be baptized to become Members of the Church of Jesus Christ.

1.       For the Remission of our sins

2.       To become Members of the Church of Jesus Christ

3.       We can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost

4.       To show Obedience

5.       To enter into the Celestial Kingdom

The Correct Mode of Baptism

·         How should we be baptized?

(2)  The proper priesthood authority has to be obtained.  The Prophet Joseph Smith said that a person having the proper priesthood authority to baptize “shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself for baptism…Then shall he immerse him in the water and com forth again our of the water” (D&C20-73-74)

(3)  Immersion is necessary.  The Apostle Paul taught that being immersed in water and coming out again is symbolic of death, burial, and resurrection.  After baptism we start a new life.  Baptism by immersion by a person having the proper authority is the only acceptable way of being baptized.

·         Why is authority to perform a baptism important?

·         In what ways is baptism by immersion like the burial and Resurrection of the Savior?

Baptism at the Age of Accountability

·         Who should be baptized?

(4)  Every person who has reached eight years of age and is accountable (responsible) for his or her actions should be baptized.  Some churches teach that little children should be baptized.  This is not in keeping with the teachings of the Savior.  The prophet Mormon said that it is mockery before God to baptize little children, because they are not capable of sinning.  Likewise, it is not required of people who are mentally incapable of knowing right and wrong.  All other people are to be baptized.  We must receive the ordinance of baptism and remain true to the covenants we make at that time. 

·         What might you say to a friend who believes that infants need to be baptized?

We make covenants when we are baptized

(5)  Alma explained that we must want to be called the people of God.  We must be willing to help and comfort each other.  We must stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places.  As we do these things and are baptized, God will forgive our sins.  Alma told the people who believed his teachings about the gospel.

(6)  “Behold, here are the waters of Mormon…And now, as ye are desirous to become into the fold of God, and to be called his people…what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?” The people clapped their hands for joy and said it was their desire to be baptized.  Alma baptized them in the Waters of Mormon. (See Mosiah 18:7-17)

(7)  “At baptism we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father that we are willing to come into His kingdom and keep His commandments from that time forward, even though we still live in the world. When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God.” (Elder Hales, 2001)

Alma taught that when we are baptized we make covenants with the Lord to:

1.       Come into the fold of God

2.       Bear one another’s burdens

3.       Stand as witnesses of God

4.       Serve God and keep His commandments

When we are baptized and keep the covenants of baptism, the Lord promises to:

1.       Forgive our sins

2.       Pour out His spirit more abundantly upon us

3.       Give us daily guidance and the help of the Holy Ghost

4.       Let us come forth in the First Resurrection

5.       Give us eternal life

·         What do you think it means to bear one another’s burdens? To stand as a witness of God?

"And Upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit"

By Julie B. Beck

Personal Revelation

"Qualifying for the Lord's Spirit begins with a desire for that Spirit and implies a certain degree of worthiness. Keeping the commandments, repenting, and renewing covenants made at baptism lead to the blessing of always having the Lord's Spirit with us. Making and keeping temple covenants also adds spiritual strength and power..."

"...Reading the scriptures...are an aid to revelation. Insight found in scripture accumulates over time, so it is important to spend some time in the scriptures every day. Daily prayer is also essential."

"...Earnestly seek help through prayer and scripture study..."

"Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things. When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed."

"Mothers...can be distanced from the Spirit if they lose their temper with children. Being in the right places allows us to receive guidance."

"Personal revelation gives us the understanding of what to do every day to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek those who need our help."

"Personal revelation is a constantly renewable source of strength."

"To do justly to walk humbly, to judge righteously...[the] Spirit will enlighten our minds, fill our souls with joy, and help us to know all things we should do."

"Promised personal revelation comes when we ask for it, prepare for it, and go forward in faith..."

Relief Society--Teaching, Inspiring, and Strengthening

"[Relief Society] has at its very core the responsibility to help sisters increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need."

"It is sacred trust, a guiding light, and a system of watchcare that teaches and inspires women to be strong and immovable...'Charity never faileth'"

"'We can assist each other in not only doing good but in refining ourselves...Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time...the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities'" --Eliza R. Snow of The second general Relief Society President

Measuring Success

"We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. We are doing well when we increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit."

"We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us. Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly."

"'...The women of the Church are seen as distinct and different--in happy ways--from the women of the world...Thus it will be that female exemplars of the Church will be a significant force in both the numerical and spiritual growth of the Church in the last days.'" --President Spencer W. Kimball

"The Lord depends on His daughters"

"As [we] seek and qualify for personal revelation, the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon His handmaids in these latter days."

Notes

Jacob 2:17

Mosiah 4:26

D&C 38:35; 44:6

D&C 20:77

2 Nephi 32:3

3 Nephi 19:24-33

D&C 11:12-14

1 Corinthians 13:8

Joel 2:28-29

GOALS

This is what I received from one of my church classes a while back...

1. Make and keep covenants with Him
2. Are worthy and worship His temples
3. Study His doctrine in the scriptures and the words of the prophets
4. Qualify for, recognize, and follow the Holy Ghost
5. Share and defend His gospel
6. Participate in sincere personal and family prayer
7. Have family home evening
8. Live principles of self-reliance and provident living