“I Baptize Thee, Having Authority from the Almighty God”

Ed J. Pinegar, Richard J. Allen

Alma prays for the Spirit of the Lord to accomplish his duty “with holiness of heart” (verse 12) as he prepares to baptize Helaman. The wording used in the performance of the baptismal ordinance at the Waters of Mormon is similar to our wording today—which states (calling the person by name): “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen” (D&C 20:73; compare 3 Nephi 11:25)—except that Alma also includes an expression of the attendant blessings of eternal life through the redemption of Christ.

Commentaries and Insights on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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