The Nephi version gives us two more beatitudes. Continuing with the theme of baptism emphasized in the preceding chapter, the Savior explains the specific blessing from following the council of the Brethren and receiving baptism—He states, I will baptize you, with fire and with the Holy Ghost. The fulfillment of this prophecy came after Jesus' three day visit. Although the Twelve were baptized in his presence (3 Nephi 19:12-13), the multitude was not baptized until after he had departed, probably because of the amount of time it would have taken to baptize so many people, And it came to pass that the disciples whom Jesus had chosen began from that time forth to baptize and to teach as many as did come unto them; and as many as were baptized in the name of Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 26:17).
Bruce R. McConkie
"The baptism of the Spirit is called the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost…By the power of the Holy Ghost -- who is the Sanctifier (3 Ne. 27:19-21) -- dross iniquity, carnality, sensuality, and every evil thing is burned out of the repentant soul as if by fire; the cleansed person becomes literally a new creature of the Holy Ghost. (Mosiah 27:24-26.) He is born again.
"The baptism of fire is not something in addition to the receipt of the Holy Ghost; rather, it is the actual enjoyment of the gift which is offered by the laying on of hands at the time of baptism. 'Remission of sins,' the Lord says, comes 'by baptism and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost.' (D. & C. 19:31; 2 Ne. 31:17.)" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 73)
Joseph Smith
"You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 366 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 166)
Joseph Smith
"There is but one baptism; it takes the baptism of water, of the Holy Ghost, and of fire to constitute one full baptism." (Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus, They Knew the Prophet, p. 51)