The doctrine of Christ encompasses faith, repentance, baptism, and the bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost. As part of this sequence of principles and ordinances, baptism is of immense importance in the plan of salvation. As we have seen, when the Lord arrives on this continent, the very first thing He does, after the people come one by one to feel His wounds, is to give power and authority to baptize. He then explains the doctrine of repentance and talks about the desire and willingness of the person to be baptized. He then instructs them on the mode of baptism. Baptism is essential for our salvation (see verse 33). The Lord reminds us that if we are not baptized we will be damned (see verse 34). Baptism is the life-saving ordinance that permits entry into the celestial kingdom if we are true and faithful and endure to the end. Baptism signifies that the following requirements have been met:
All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church. (D&C 20:37)
We are also counseled, as part of the doctrine of Christ, to bear one another’s burdens, to comfort those who stand in need of comfort, to mourn with those that mourn, and to stand as a witness for God at all times, in all things, and in all places, that we might be redeemed of God (see Mosiah 18:8–9). As he closes his record, Moroni reiterates the qualifications for baptism and the nurturing of new members (see Moroni 6:1–4). This covenant-making process of taking the name of Jesus Christ upon us is holy and sacred. The Lord reminds us of this commitment and blessing each Sabbath day as we renew our covenants (see Moroni 4:3; 5:2; D&C 20:77, 79). In keeping all the commandments and in honoring our covenants, we will be blessed in all things (see Mosiah 2:41).