“Witnessed Unto the Church That They Truly Repent”

Brant Gardner

This is the covenant aspect of baptism. The one who is baptized receives the benefit of the Messiah’s atonement through the ordinance of baptism; the act of receiving the benefit creates the covenant, which is to take upon oneself the name of Christ and to endure to the end. (See commentary accompanying 3 Nephi 12:48.)

In the ancient world, taking the name of Christ would have had significant implications that the modern world has forgotten. (See commentary accompanying Mosiah 5:8 and Moroni 4:3.) We are not to adopt just the name of Christ, but also the attitude and actions of a Christian.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 6

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