My Baptism Day
Baptism
Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare you for baptism and receiving the gift of the HolyGhost. Jesus Christ taught by example that everyone must be baptized of water and of the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. Through baptism by one who holds priesthood authority and through receiving the Holy Ghost, you will be spiritually reborn.
When you are baptized by one with the priesthood authority given by God, having repented you receive a remission of your sins (Acts 2:38). You make a covenant, or promise, with God to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, to follow Him, and to keep His commandments. In return, He promises to forgive your sins and let you return to live with Him, provided you keep your covenants. You are briefly immersed in water, as Jesus Christ was baptized. Baptism by immersion is a sacred symbol of the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it represents the end of your old life and the beginning of a new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
We must be baptized to become members of the restored Church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and to eventually enter the kingdom of heaven. This ordinance is a law of God and must be performed by His authority. A bishop or mission president must give a priesthood holder permission to perform a baptism or conferral of the Holy Ghost.
Little children do not need to be baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which is eight years of age, as they are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ ( Moroni 8:4–24; Doctrine and Covenants 68:27) .
Gift of the Holy Ghost
We all experience times of loneliness, fear, and sorrow—times when we need comfort. Jesus Christ promised, “I will not leave you comfortless” (John 14:18). He taught that God would send the Comforter, “which is the HolyGhost?” ( John 14:26). The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, along with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Though one in purpose with the Father and the Son, the Holy Ghost is a separate being. Through Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed: “The Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us” ( Doctrine and Covenants 130:22).
All good people can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, but only those who are baptized and who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by priesthood authority have the right to His constant companionship throughout life. While baptism washes you of your sins, the Holy Ghost cleanses, sanctifies, or purifies, you. If you remain faithful to your baptismal covenants, you can have the Holy Ghost with you always to help you recognize and understand truth, provide spiritual strength and inspiration?, comfort you in difficult times, and guide you in making decisions. Your ability to enjoy this divine gift depends on your obedience to God’s commandments, as the Holy Ghost cannot remain with those who do not live according to God’s teachings.
The special mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son, to reveal the truth, to comfort you, and to sanctify you. He is a divine guide and teacher—a testifier—bearing witness of all truth. Jesus Christ said that the Holy Ghost “will guide you into all truth” ( John 16:13). By the power of the Holy Ghost, we “may know the truth of all things” ( Moroni 10:5).
The Holy Ghost is also called the Comforter, as He brings feelings of warmth, reassurance, and peace and can fill your soul with joy. The Holy Ghost often speaks with a voice you feel. It is described as a still, small voice. He can enlighten your mind, telling you in your heart what is right.
Jesus taught that baptism by water must be followed by baptism of the Spirit or it is incomplete. Only when you receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost can you receive a remission of your sins and become completely spiritually reborn. You then begin a new spiritual life as a disciple of Christ. The gift of the Holy Ghost is given by someone who has priesthood authority from God. It is conferred after baptism in an ordinance called confirmation—where one or more authorized priesthood holders lay their hands on your head, confirm you a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and bless you to receive the Holy Ghost.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of Heavenly Father’s most precious gifts. The Holy Ghost can have a sanctifying, cleansing effect upon you and will provide peace of conscience and assurance that your sins have been forgiven when you truly repent. Through the power of the Holy Ghost you can feel God’s love and direction for you.
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE RELATED TO BAPTISM1. What do I wear to the baptism service? Sunday clothes
2. What do I need to have with me? a towel, a comb, dry underwear, white socks, white baptismal clothes
3. Who may come to see me be baptized? Mom and Dad, brothers and sisters, Grandmas and Grandpas, aunts, uncles, friends, teachers, anyone!
4. Can I hold my nose when I go under the water? Yes. The person baptizing you will show you how.
5. What happens if my hair or my toes doesn't go all the wayunder the water?
You will be immersed (put under water) a second time.
6. What promise or covenant do I make with Heavenly Father when I am baptized?
You promise that from now on you will choose the right and obey all of his commandments. You will take upon yourself the name of Christ (that is, to become one of his true followers), and always remember to do what he has taught us to do.
7. What does Heavenly Father promise me?
That his Spirit (the Holy Ghost) will always be with you. This will helpyou do what is right so that you can always be happy. If you do this, youcan return and live with him again.
8. What does it mean to be baptized by "immersion"? This means that your whole body is put completely under the water and then brought back up out of the water. Being under the water is a likeness of Jesus' death and burial. Being brought up out of the water is a likeness of Jesus' resurrection to a new life, and a likeness of your being born to a new, clean life of righteousness.
9. Why must I be baptized and confirmed only by a man who holds the priesthood? A man who holds the priesthood has some of the same powers on earth that Heavenly Father and his son Jesus have. Jesus says that if a man is a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, or holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, he has the authority to baptize people in Jesus' name. A man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood has the right to confirm people members of the Church of Jesus Christ. If a man doesn't hold the priesthood, he doesn't have the right to do these special things for Heavenly Father Jesus.
10. How shall I remember the promises I make at baptism? By reverently partaking of the sacrament each Sunday, and by listening to prayers offered over the bread and water.
Baptism
WE MAKE THREE PROMISES AT BAPTISM
· We promise to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ.
This means that we will become followers of Jesus and willbecome known as Christians.
· We will always think of Jesus throughout our lives.
When we have a decision to make, we will remember Jesus, and think of what he would want us to do.
· We promise to serve Jesus by keeping his commandments and following his teachings throughout our lives.
This means we will learn what is right and strive to live the example he has set for us.
My Baptism Record
______
was baptized on ______
by ______
at ______
And was confirmed by ______
The witnesses were ______
and ______
My primary teacher is ______
My Bishop is ______
Family & Friends
______
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the havens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mark 1:9-11
A Note from my parents
______
Baptism Day
Little child dressed in white
He takes your hand, you hold so tight.
He, with his arm raised to the square,
Commissioned of Jesus Christ, invokes the prayer.
You leave the water born anew
And pledge, you’ll try, his works to do.
Heavenly Father is happy today
Because you have followed His Son’s chosen way.
Remember always to choose the right,
Little Child dressed in white.
My Gospel Standards
· I will follow Heavenly Father's plan for me.
· I will remember my baptismal covenant and listen to the Holy Ghost.
· I will choose the right. I know I can repent when I make a mistake.
· I will be honest with Heavenly Father, others, and myself.
· I will use the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ reverently. I will not swear or use crude words.
· I will do those things on the Sabbath that will help me feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
· I will honor my parents and do my part to strengthen my family.
· I will keep my mind and body sacred and pure, and I will not partake of things that are harmful to me.
· I will dress modestly to show respect for Heavenly Father and myself.
· I will only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father.
· I will only listen to music that is pleasing to Heavenly Father.
· I will seek good friends and treat others kindly.
· I will live now to be worthy to go to the temple and do my part to have an eternal family.
Planning for your Baptism Service
· You may choose the day of your baptism. In an effort to help you we have scheduled the building on the following days from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
o March 22
o April 26
o May 24
o June 28
o September 27
o October 25
· If you choose to get baptized on another day it is your responsibility to schedule the building.
· If your baptism is the only one being performed that day then your family will be able to choose the program. It will need to be approved by the Bishop. You should plan to provide:
o Opening and closing prayers
o Opening and closing songs
o A talk on Baptism
o A talk on The Gift of the Holy Ghost
o Perhaps a special musical number
o A Pianist and chorister
o The printed programs
· Make sure to let the Primary and the Bishopric know when they baptism will be so the font will be filled and ready to go.
· If you are being baptized on the same day as someone else, the bishopric will decide the program assuring that all families will be able to equally participate, and they will print it.
· You may provide your own baptismal clothing or we can provide it for you.
Baptismal Prayer
Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. ~Doctrine & Covenants 20:73
Sacrament Prayers
Doctrine and Covenants 20:77
Oh God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of the Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:79
Oh God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this water to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of the Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
The Articles of Faith
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.