| Response |
My answer comes in two parts. The first is found in Matthew 3:13-17. "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto
John to be baptized of him, but John forbade him saying, I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me and Jesus
answered said unto him, suffered it to be so now for thus it becomest us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered
him."
You are right in your assessment that Jesus was perfect and without sin, but you see, Christ's baptism serves the righteous
purpose of showing us by example, the exact way that all of us must follow, which is to repent and be baptized for a
remission of our
sins so that we will be worthy to receive the constant guidance and
companionship of the Holy Ghost. In the Book of Mormon there is reference to that same question. I love the response of
the prophet Nephi who said,
4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize
the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.
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!
6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized 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.
8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.
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?
11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.
12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me;
wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.. (see 2nd Nephi 31: 4-12).
(2 Nephi 31:4-12)
I hope that this is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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