he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned."[1] On another occasion the Lord added, in a revelation through the modern prophet, Joseph Smith: "Therefore, as I said unto mine apostles I say unto you again, that every soul who believeth on your words, and is baptized by water for the remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost." And further, "Verily, verily, I say unto you they who believe not on your words, and are not baptized in water, in my name, for the remission of their sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned, and shall not come into my Father's kingdom, where my Father and I am."[2]
The Gift of the Holy Ghost follows baptism by water, and its authoritative bestowal constitutes the next essential ordinance of the Gospel.[3] In both ancient and modern times this endowment has been regarded as a higher baptism, lacking which the baptism of water is incomplete. John, distinctively known as the Baptist, so taught on the very eve of our Savior's personal ministry. Consider well his words: "I indeed 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."[4] John testifies further that the One who should thus inaugurate the higher baptism was Jesus, Himself. Not until after he had administered, the ordinance of water baptism to Jesus, did John recognize Him as the Christ; but immediately
- ↑ Doctrine and Covenants 68:8, 9.
- ↑ Doctrine and Covenants, 84:64, 74; see also 112:28, 29.
- ↑ See "The Articles of Faith," Lecture VIII.
- ↑ Matt. 3:11; compare Mark 1:7, 8; Luke 3:16.
