Thinking about Baptism

2 Nephi 31

Nephi tells why Christ was baptized—Men must follow Christ, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end to be saved—Repentance and baptism are the gate to the strait and narrow path—Eternal life comes to those who keep the commandments after baptism. Between 559 and 545 B.C.

It was so nice to read this chapter this morning. I've been thinking about Cole's baptism, which is coming up in April. By coincedence, the first Saturday in April is the 5th, which is also my baptismal date. How neat that we'll have the same date. Mine is especially significant to me, because without it, I would be walking a different path today. It will be 14 years ago that I was baptized. Wow, how did that happen. 14 years?? The images are still clear in my mind. Especially immediately after, when I went into the bathroom to change into dry clothes. I remember looking into the mirror at my wet face and feeling the purest happiness I'd ever felt. I'm stumbling for words, but at that moment I knew Heavenly Father loved me. I felt the closest to my true self. For Cole, I'm happy that he's excited for his baptism. It's going to be a special day. I know he understands the commandments, and he has a very good heart. He wants to do right by others. The baptism of an eight year old is very sweet, but I almost wish all my kids could experience it like I did. But, then again, when they're ready to ask the big questions, and get answers, that will be their moment.

The plainness of this chapter is refreshing. Very straight forward. There is a singular path to return on. Through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It's the first parts that came easily for me, but the enduring part that requires constant work. This scripture was just was I needed to read this morning:

"19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow ^apath, I would ask if all is ^bdone? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken ^cfaith in him, ^drelying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to ^esave.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a ^asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of ^bhope, and a ^clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and ^dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have ^eeternal life."