“What Have You Against Being Baptized in the Name of the Lord”
It is not uncommon to hear other Christians say that water baptism is not essential, inasmuch as they maintain that baptism is merely an outward evidence of an inward grace. Having been blessed with the restoration of gospel truths, we respond: No baptism is the outward manifestation of no understanding of saving ordinances; a baptism of sprinkling is but a manifestation of a sprinkling of desire; while a baptism by immersion performed under proper authority attests to a full immersion in and complete acceptance of the doctrines and requirements of the kingdom of God.
“What Have You Against Being Baptized in the Name of the Lord”
Going down into the “watery grave” through immersion is but a symbolic representation of one’s belief and acceptance of the atonement of the Lord Jesus (see Romans 6:3-5). Nephi explained concerning the covenant of baptism:
“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 you 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” (2 Nephi 31:13; see also Moroni 6:2-4; D&C 20:37).