Entering The Gate

In 2 Nephi Chapter 31, the prophet Nephi teaches about baptism.  He starts by prophesying about Christ’s baptism which will occur in approximately 590 Years.  We hear of baptism as being a way to repent and be washed clean of our sins, but Christ did not have any sins so why did he need to be baptized?  Nephi explains this very well in Chapter 31.  He gives several reasons why it was still essential for Christ to be baptized even though he had no sins to be forgiven.

He states that Christ needs to be baptized "to fulfil all righteousness,” to show that he was humble, to witness to the Father that he was willing to be obedient to His commandments, to make a covenant with the Father, and finally to set an example for us.  Baptism is an essential covenant that we must make to return to our Father in Heaven after this life.  In both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, baptism is referred to as a gate in which we must enter.  This gate then allows us to start on the straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life.  This is talked about both in 2 Nephi Chapter 31 as well as in the New Testament in Matthew Chapter 7.    The account of Christ’s baptism is given in Matthew Chapter 3.

In 2 Nephi Chapter 31, Nephi also tells us why it is important for us to be baptized.  Starting in verse 13, he reiterates that we must follow the example of Christ and be baptized.  When we are baptized, we must repent of our sins, witness to the Father that we are willing to take upon us the name of His son, keep His commandments, always remember Him, and endure to the end faithfully.  In return, we are promised that if we do those things we will always have His Spirit to be with us (i.e. the Holy Ghost) and that we will have eternal life.

Starting in verse 19, Nephi continues to teach.  He asks “And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this straight and narrow path, I would ask if all is done?”  He then explains, “Nay… wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”

Baptism is an essential covenant in order to return to our Father in Heaven.  In 2 Nephi Chapter 31, we can learn why it is important for Christ to be baptized as well as why it is important for us to be baptized.