Universality of the Doctrine

The incredible thing about this is that what happened to these chosen disciples of God can and ought to happen to us if we will have faith. The doctrine of Christ taught to these people in this supernal setting, which includes the requirement of obtaining this baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, is binding upon all mankind, for Christ himself commanded them to "declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth." (3 Ne. 11:41.) In fact, in teaching these people at this time, the Savior took this one step further, saying, "More blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins." (3 Nephi 12:2.)

According to the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, Christ taught this same precept in the Old World also in what was the initial portion of the Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are they who shall believe on me; and again, more blessed are they who shall believe on your words, when ye shall testify that ye have seen me and that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe on your words, and come down into the depth of humility, and be baptized in my name; for they shall be visited with fire and the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins." (R-JST-Matt. 5:3,4; compare 3 Ne. 12:2.) Joseph Smith's translation also sheds light on what John the Baptist told his disciples concerning Christ: "He shall baptize, not only with water, but with fire, and with the Holy Ghost." (JST-John 1:28; also JST-Matt. 3:38,40.) Jesus' disciples therefore knew that "the Holy Ghost was promised unto them who believe," but they also knew that this would not come until "after that Jesus was glorified." (JST-John 7:39.) Accordingly, when instructing the apostles following his resurrection, the Lord commanded them to "wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts. 1:4,5.) A few days later, on the day of Pentecost, "there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it rested upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (R-JST-Acts. 2:3,4.)

When Peter was given the revelation to take the gospel to the Gentiles, this transition was marked by the receipt of the Holy Ghost. Addressing a congregation which included Gentiles, announcing this new revelation, "while Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts. 10:44-47.) When Peter was subsequently explaining this perceived breach of propriety to his skeptical brethren in Jerusalem, he reasoned, "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" (Acts 11:15-17.)

The doctrine of Christ, including the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, was not new to the Lehites at the time of Christ's first appearance. Nearly six centuries previous, having seen in prophetic vision that many "plain and most precious" parts would be "taken away from the gospel" recorded in the Bible (1 Ne. 13:26) that would go "forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles," causing "an exceedingly great many [to] stumble" (1 Ne. 12:29), Nephi was among those who recorded "the doctrine of Christ" (2 Ne. 31:2-21; 32:1-6) in "plainness" (2 Ne. 31:2,3) for the benefit of his seed, short- and long-term, who would keep and preserve his writings "from generation to generation" (2 Ne. 25:21), as well as for the benefit of the Jews and Gentiles who would eventually have his writings (2 Ne. 30:3). Hence, "they also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine." (2 Nephi 27:35 = Isa. 29:24.) Nephi's contribution in verse thirteen of II Nephi 31 is a classic: "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 ye 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; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel."

This doctrine has been repeated in latter-day scripture. According to Doctrine and Covenants 33, the message we are to proclaim to the world is: "Repent, repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost." (33:10,11.) Referring to these words, the Lord then said, "Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and remember that they shall have faith in me or they can in nowise be saved; and upon this rock I will build my church; yea, upon this rock ye are built, and if ye continue, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you." (D&C 33:12,13.)

From Joseph Smith's translation of the Book of Genesis, we learn that the doctrine of Christ was in effect with the very first man, Adam. The record states: "And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water. And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man." (Moses 6:64,65.) Then, lest he be as the Lamanites at the time of their conversion, who were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost yet "they knew it not" (3 Ne. 9:20), Adam "heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever." (Moses 6:66.) The wording in verse 65 above (of Moses 6) makes it clear that the baptism by fire and by the Holy Ghost is the same thing as being "born of the Spirit," or born again.

This account resembles that given by Parley P. Pratt of his wife, Thankful. "She had a vision in open day while sitting in her room. She was overwhelmed or immersed in a pillar of fire, which seemed to fill the whole room, as if it would consume it and all things therein; and the Spirit whispered to her mind, saying: 'Thou art baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost.' This vision was repeated on the next day at the same hour, viz: -- twelve o'clock. She was overwhelmed with a joy and peace indescribable, and seemed changed in her whole nature from that time forth." (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, Deseret Book, 1985, p. 141.) Perhaps the hour of her vision is a foreshadowing of when the saints as a body will receive this baptism, viz: -- at the twelfth hour. No doubt this event helped inspire Apostle Pratt to pen these words of what is now Hymn 180 (LDS, 1985):

2. We now repent of all our sin and come with broken heart,
And to thy covenant enter in and choose the better part.

3. O Lord, accept us while we pray, and all our sins forgive;
New life impart to us this day, and bid the sinners live.

5. We will be buried in the stream in Jesus' blessed name,
And rise, while light shall on us beam the Spirit's heav'nly flame.

6. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost and seal us as thine own,
that we may join the ransomed host and with the Saints be one.

Not only is the doctrine of Christ universal, but it is also of utmost importance, as is made clear by the emphasis placed upon it in the Book of Mormon. The very last words recorded by Mormon, the key compiler, in which he is setting forth the "intent" of the entire Book of Mormon, are: "And if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment. Amen." (Morm. 7:9,10.) Mormon ended the book of III Nephi similarly, as commanded by Jesus Christ. (See 3 Ne. 30:1,2.)

"Would God that ALL the Lord's People Were PROPHETS"

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