2 Nephi 31 Where can we read about “baptism by water, and…by the Holy Ghost?”

2 Nephi 31 Where can we read about “baptism by water, and…by the Holy Ghost?” “The greatest sermon we have on baptism and the receipt of the Holy Ghost is 2 Nephi 31” (Bruce R. McConkie, Promised Messiah, 421).

It always comes back to the blood of Christ, Gethsemane, the Atonement. Orson F. Whitney put the elements of baptism into proper perspective: “There are three elements in baptism, the Water, the Spirit and the Blood; though only two---water and spirit—are usually mentioned. Without Christ’s atoning blood there could be no baptism of a saving character” (Whitney, Baptism, 11).

2 Nephi 31-33 This is Nephi’s “Doctrines of Salvation.” 2 Nephi 31:2-3 “Let us Speak in Plainness!” 2 Nephi 31:5-124 reasons Christ Was Baptized: 1. v.5 To fulfill all righteousness 2. v.7 To humble himself before His Father 3. v.7 To be obedient to the Father by keeping the commandments 4. v.9 To set the example for us to follow.

2 Nephi 31:7-10, 12-13, 16 How should we follow the example of Jesus Christ? “Perfect worship is emulation. We honor those whom we imitate. The most perfect way of worship is to be holy as Jehovah is holy” (Bruce R. McConkie, Promised Messiah, 568).

Personal Radiation There is a responsibility that no man can evade. That is the responsibility of personal influence… Every man (& woman) has an atmosphere or a radiation that is affecting every person in the world. You cannot escape it… It is simply the constant radiation of what a man (or woman) really is. Every man (& woman) by his mere living is radiating positive or negative qualities. Life is a state of radiation. To exist is to be the radiation of our feelings, natures, doubts, schemes, or to be the recipient of those things from somebody else. You cannot escape it. Man (& women) cannot escape for one moment the radiation of his (or her) character. You will select the qualities that you will permit to be radiated. That reminds me of the following poem, the author of which is unknown.

You tell on yourself by the friends you seek, By the very manner in which you speak, By the way you employ your leisure time, By the use you make of dollar and dime. You tell what you are by the things you wear, And even by the way you wear your hair, By the kind of things at which you laugh, By the records you play on your phonograph. You tell what you are by the way you walk, By the things of which you delight to talk, By the manner in which you bury deceit, By so simple a thing as how you eat. By the books you choose from the well fitted shelf. In these ways and more you tell on yourself. (President David O. McKay, CR, Oct. 1969, 87)

“An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection that is possessed by God himself. ‘But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the word. Or in other words, these attributes are in embryo and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after it’s own kind.

The gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form, and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It invigorates all of the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bones, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being” (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, 61, 100-01).

The Holy Ghost Makes More Handsome and Beautiful People: If you’ attain the highest success, and the most contentment of mind, out of life; practice in your daily contacts the ideals of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I do not hesitate to make that statement without modification. I know the results will be what I indicate. They will make you more handsome, young men; more beautiful, young women; because your thoughts modify your features. They will make you more dutiful sons and daughters, more clever students, more faithful lovers, more desirable companions, more loyal friends, more helpful members of society, more worthy fathers and mothers of future families, make you sons and daughters of God, more successfully fulfilling the measure of your creation on earth (President David O. McKay, Man May Know for Himself, 108).

If even the King of the Kingdom could not return to His high state of pre-existent exaltation without complying with his own eternal law for admission to that kingdom, how can any man expect a Celestial inheritance without an authorized and approved baptism (Mormon Doctrine, 71). 2 Nephi 31:12-14, 17-18D&C 22:2 “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism of water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half --- that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, 314).

2 Nephi 31:13 “Acting no hypocrisy” Hypocrite in Greek means “to act” or “an actor on stage.” Paul called hypocrites --- “whited-walls.” Some of the Jews were simply reading the wrong script.

2 Nephi 31:13 “Receive the Holy Ghost” “Now I am going to say something that maybe I could not prove, but I believe is true, that we have a great many members of this Church who have never received a manifestation through the Holy Ghost. Why? Because they have not made their lives conform to the truth. And the Holy Ghost will not dwell in unclean tabernacles or disobedient tabernacles. The Holy Ghost will not dwell with that person who is unwilling to obey and keep the commandments of God or who violates those commandments willfully. In such a soul the spirit of the Holy Ghost cannot enter. That great gift comes to us only through humility and faith and obedience. Therefore, a great many members of the Church do not have that guidance. Then some cunning, crafty individual will come along teaching that which is not true, and without guidance which is promised to us through our faithfulness, people are unable to discern and are led astray.

It depends on our faithfulness and our obedience to the commandments of the Lord if we have the teachings, the enlightening instruction, that comes from the Holy Ghost “When we are disobedient, when our minds are set upon the things of this world rather than on the things of the kingdom of God, we cannot have the manifestations of the Holy Ghost. Did you ever stop to think what a great privilege it is for us to have the companionship of one of the members of the Godhead? Have you thought of it that way? That is our privilege, if we keep the commandments the Lord has given us” (Joseph Fielding Smith, We Are Here to Be Tried, Tested, Proved, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year (25 Oct. 1961) 4-5).

2 Nephi 31:14-21 “Baptism of Fire” v.17 Nephi wrote of two baptisms. One was the baptism of water, which may be administered under the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, and the other was the baptism of fire, or the Holy Ghost, administered under the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Elder McConkie explained that by the power of the Holy Ghost --- who is the Sanctifier --- dross iniquity, carnality, sensuality, and every evil thing is burned out of the repentant soul as if by fire; the cleansed person becomes literally a new creature of the Holy Ghost (Mormon Doctrine, 73).

2 Nephi 31:17 Was the ordinance of baptism commonly practiced before the days of Christ? “This scripture indicates clearly that baptism was practiced, at least among the Nephites, hundreds of years before the Savior was born. “…The Jewish Encyclopedia indicates that baptism was a common practice in ancient Israel… (Vol. 2, 499)” (Daniel H. Ludlow, Companion, 154). Where does remission of sins come from? “This baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost here spoken of by Nephi… cleanses, heals, and purifies the soul. It is the sealing and sign of forgiveness” (Marion G. Romney, Learning for the Eternities, 133).

2 Nephi 31:18 What is one important role of the Holy Ghost? “No man can know that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, 243). 2 Nephi 31:20 When can we have the promise of eternal life? “After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue… living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and election made sure” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, 150).

Four keys to receiving personal revelation 2 Nephi 32 1. v. 1 Pondering 2. v. 3 Feasting upon the words of Christ 3. v. 4 You must ask 4. v. 5 The Holy Ghost will show you all things what ye should do Examples: D&C 138, 76, The First Vision, etc!

2 Nephi 32:3 What blessings come from “feasting upon the words of Christ?” “If (you) are acquainted with the revelations, there is no question --- personal or social or political or occupational --- that need go unanswered. Therein is contained the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Therein we find principles of truth that will resolve every confusion and every problem and every dilemma that will face the human family or any individual in it” (Boyd K. Packer, “Teach the Scriptures,” 5).

Purpose of Light President Romney’s talk “The Light of Christ (1977).” 1. The Light of Christ leads you…. to Baptism 2. The Holy Ghost leads you to…Jesus Christ… (the Temple) 3. Jesus Christ leads you to the Father

Nephi’s Farewell Testimony 2 Nephi 33:1-3 “Mine eyes water my pillow by night” Four things the scriptures will do for those who read them: 1. v.4Persuadeth them to do good. 2. v.4Maketh known unto them of their fathers. 3. v.4Persuadeth them to believe in Christ. 4. v.4Persuadeth them to endure to the end.

2 Nephi 33:11 See you at the judgment bar! (Jacob 6:13, Moroni 10:27-29) 2 Nephi 33:15 “I must obey” (I Nephi 3:7) Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and those who love it are not equal to those who live it (Confucius).

2 Nephi 33:15 “Amen is another title of Jesus Christ.” “Christ is called ‘the Amen, the faithful and true witness’” (LDS Bible Dictionary,). (2 Corinthians 1:20; Revelation 3:14).

Great one-liners in 2 Nephi 33 v. 3, “And my eyes water my pillow by night” v. 6, “I glory in plainness, I glory in truth” v. 6, “I glory in my Jesus” v. 11, “And you and I shall stand face to face before his bar” v. 15, “And I must obey”

2 Nephi 31 Where can we read about “baptism by water, and…by the Holy Ghost?”