Moroni 8:25

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;

To receive full forgiveness of our sins and to have them remitted or canceled from our account requires obedience on our part. Christ has already paid the price. The cost of our ransom has been covered by his atoning sacrifice. He is prepared to set us free whenever we qualify. To which commandments must we be obedient to become eligible to be ransomed and released from guilt? Repentance and baptism. While the Lord gives us many commandments to guide our lives and teach us how to live as he lives, the two things we must do for forgiveness and justification are repent and receive baptism. The doctrine is simple enough for an eight-year-old to understand.

Moroni 8:15

For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.

The principle of agency is behind this doctrine that teaches against infant baptism. Those who cannot choose, either because of maturity, capacity, or duress, cannot be held accountable. The whole plan of salvation is based on agency. Where agency does not exist, accountability cannot exist, nor guilt. Therefore, little children must be innocent. How merciful is God's plan, for how many little children never get to choose and are therefore saved immediately in the Father's kingdom!

Moroni 6:2-3

Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins. And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.

The qualifications for baptism are a broken heart (godly sorrow), a contrite spirit (humility), repentance, taking the name of Christ (faith in Christ), and a willingness to serve (endure) to the end. These principles are the same through the ages because they are eternal. Only one way leads to salvation, and that is through Christ, his doctrine, his gospel, and his covenants, which we make through ordinances. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

3 Nephi 23:5

And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things.

Salvation is free but not without stipulations and qualifications. We must learn and obey the commandments, receive the ordinance of baptism, and continually repent if we want salvation. It is not hard or complicated to understand, but it takes a lifetime and beyond to do it. The promise, however, is worth every effort.

Mosiah 5:4

And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.

What are the prerequisites to the mighty change of heart like the people of King Benjamin experienced? Faith (faithfulness) and covenants (promises) to do God's will and to obey his commandments. We demonstrate our faith and make such a covenant at baptism. The weekly sacrament is an opportunity to renew our covenant with God. If we truly desire it, we can have a mighty change come to us every week when we partake of the sacrament.

Second Nephi 31:6-7

And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water? 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.

Christ set the example for all mankind by pledging his own loyalty, faithfulness, and obedience to his Father through baptism. An ordinance is an outward expression of an inner commitment. Some may ask why we cannot just make a promise in our hearts to follow and obey God. Why do we have to perform a public, visible sign of our commitment? I do not know the answer to that question. But if it was important to the Savior to submit to baptism as a sign of his formal covenant with Heavenly Father to be obedient, it is surely important to me to do the same. That is Nephi's point. We may not understand the reason for everything, but as long as we follow Christ, we cannot go wrong.

Second Nephi 31:4-5

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. 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!

Christ not only teaches the doctrine, he lives it. He is the very embodiment of his doctrine. He says with authority and confidence, "Come, follow me." Baptism is a key principle in the doctrine of Christ. Jesus demonstrated the significance of baptism by setting the example for us.

Baptism is a cleansing ordinance and a covenant making ordinance. We are baptized unto repentance. The ordinance unlocks for us the door to forgiveness, justification and sanctification. Jesus needed no repentance, but he still needed baptism because he needed to make the covenant with his Father that he would obey him. We are likewise baptized into the covenant to do our best to become like Christ, and always remember him, and keep his commandments.

The covenant of baptism also brings with it a promise from God that as we keep the covenant, we will always have his spirit to be with us. Jesus needed that promise as much as we do.

Second Nephi 9:53

And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.

The covenants God offers us represent his condescensions. They express his willingness to let us participate with him in working out our salvation. When we make and keep sacred covenants, he condescends, meaning he descends to be with us. He comes down to our level to lift us up to his level. Covenants and ordinances are the means by which he does this.