3
Nephi 1:23
Remission
of Sins
What
23 And
it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, and also many
others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a
great aremission of
sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land.
Why
The
people were converted because of the sign of Jesus' birth. Nephi
baptized many people.
Baptism
brings remission of sins and peace.
Pattern
Matt.
26:28
D&C
27:2
2
For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye
shall eat or
what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be
that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto
the Father my body which
was laid down for you, and my blood which
was shed for the remission of
your sins.
D&C
33:11
11
Yea, repent and
be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of
your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the
baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
John
20:23
23
Whose soever sins ye remit,
they are remitted unto them; and whose
soever sins ye
retain, they are retained.
Acts
10:43
43
To him give all the prophets witness,
that through his name whosoever believeth in
him shall receive remission of
sins.
Heb.
9:22
22
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and
without shedding of
blood is no remission.
Moro.
8:25
25
And the first fruits of repentance is baptism;
and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and
the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of
sins;
Christ
Mosiah
3:13
13
And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among
all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred,
nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever
should believe that Christ should come,
the same might receive remission of
their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though
he had already come among them.
Conference
By
Elder David A. Bednar Of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
A
profound phrase used by King Benjamin in his teachings about the
Savior and His Atonement has been a recurring topic of my study and
pondering for many years.
In
his spiritually stirring farewell sermon to the people he had served
and loved, King Benjamin described the importance of knowing the
glory of God and tasting of His love, of receiving a remission of
sins, of always remembering the greatness of God, and of praying
daily and standing steadfastly in the faith.1 He
also promised that by doing these things, “ye shall always rejoice,
and be filled with the love of God, and always
retain a remission of your sins.”2
My
message focuses upon the principle of always retaining a remission of
our sins. The truth expressed in this phrase can strengthen our faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ and deepen our discipleship. I pray the Holy
Ghost will inspire and edify us as we consider together essential
spiritual truths.
Obtaining and Retaining a Remission of Sins through Ordinances
To
comprehend more fully the process whereby we may obtain and always
retain a remission of our sins, we need first to understand the
inseparable relationship among three sacred ordinances that provide
access to the powers of heaven: baptism by immersion, laying on of
hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the sacrament.
Baptism
by immersion for the remission of sins “is the introductory
ordinance of the gospel”16 of
Jesus Christ and must be preceded by faith in the Savior and by
sincere repentance. This ordinance “is a sign and a commandment
which God has set for [His children] to enter into His
kingdom.”17 Baptism
is administered in the authority of the Aaronic Priesthood. In the
process of coming unto the Savior and spiritual rebirth, baptism
provides a necessary initial
cleansing of
our soul from sin.
The
baptismal covenant includes three fundamental commitments: (1) to be
willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, (2) to
always remember Him, and (3) to keep His commandments. The promised
blessing for honoring this covenant is “that [we] may always have
his Spirit to be with [us].”18 Thus,
baptism is the essential preparation to receive the authorized
opportunity for the constant companionship of the third member of the
Godhead.
Statement
1: “Baptism is a holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the
Holy Ghost; it is the channel and key by which the Holy Ghost will be
administered.”21
Statement
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 by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing
without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.”22
Statement
3: “The baptism of water, without the baptism of fire and the Holy
Ghost attending it, is of no use. They are necessarily and
inseparably connected.”23
...The
Savior Himself proclaimed, “Now this is the commandment: Repent,
all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my
name, that
ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that
ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.”25
Apply
I
will quote from the last section of Elder Bednar's talk on how we can
apply these principals.
Promise and Testimony
We
are imperfect human beings striving to live in mortality according to
Heavenly Father’s perfect plan of eternal progression. The
requirements of His plan are glorious, merciful, and rigorous. We may
at times be filled with determination and at other times feel totally
inadequate. We may wonder if we spiritually can ever fulfill the
commandment to stand spotless before Him at the last day.
With
the help of the Lord and through the power of His Spirit to “teach
[us] all things,”31 indeed
we can be blessed to realize our spiritual possibilities. Ordinances
invite spiritual purpose and power into our lives as we strive to be
born again and become men and women of Christ.32 Our
weaknesses can be strengthened, and our limitations can be overcome.
Although
none of us can achieve perfection in this life, we can become
increasingly worthy and spotless as we are “cleansed by the blood
of the Lamb.”33 I
promise and testify we will be blessed with increased faith in the
Savior and greater spiritual assurance as we seek to always retain a
remission of our sins and, ultimately, to stand spotless before the
Lord at the last day. I so witness in the sacred name of Jesus
Christ, amen.
Hymns
183
In Remembrance of Thy suffering
220
Lord, I would Follow Thee
Children
99
Help Me Dear Father
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