2 Nephi 31

2 Nephi 31 discusses the basic principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 13 Articles of Faith that summarize what we believe, and the 4^th Article of Faith says:

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.

The beginning of the chapter focuses primarily on baptism. What do you learn about baptism from these verses?

5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!

7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

9 And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.

10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.

The part about “witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water” encompasses two primary doctrines about baptism that Latter-day Saints believe. First, baptism is a choice and commitment to follow Christ—therefore a person must be at least 8 years old to be baptized, old enough to have some accountability and sense of right and wrong. Second, baptism must be by immersion to be valid, like how Jesus was baptized. A third important belief not covered in these verses is that baptism must be performed by someone with authority from God (and we believe that authority was lost from the earth after the original apostles of Christ were killed, and it was restored to Joseph Smith and subsequent leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

Later verses in this chapter dig into the other principles of repentance and the gift of the Holy Ghost. They also talk about a 5^th principle that comes after faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is called “enduring to the end”—in other words, we must continue to follow and grow our understanding and obedience to these 4 basic principles throughout our lives in order to follow Christ. These principles are not a one-time deal. They are the way to peace and happiness in this life, and salvation in the life to come.

17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

 19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay;

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

 21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.