Jesus gives these instructions to eliminate Nephite disputations. He indicates two important aspects to the baptism: first, repentance, and, second, that the candidate and officiator “go down and stand in the water.” Mormon provides no context, but the Nephites definitely understood at least these two points. Examples of repentance preceding baptism are 2 Nephi 31:11–15 and Alma 7:13–16. The best example of “going down” comes from Alma’s baptisms at the waters of Mormon:
And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart.
And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world.
And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.
And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized him according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water.
And after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God. (Mosiah 18:12–16)
The disputations must have occurred with those influenced by the Nehors, since the true Nephite record corroborates the Savior’s information in both respects.