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.
