The Nephite Disciples Baptize:
What Does Heavenly Father Promise Me When I Am Baptized?

And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you (3 Ne. 18:7).

After the resurrected Christ had authorized (given His authority to) twelve Nephite disciples to perform baptisms for the new covenant in the fulness of the gospel, He told them, “Whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God” (3 Ne. 11:33).

This was a wonderful promise, and the Savior soon added another. Speaking of these disciples, He told the people, “Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost” (3 Ne. 12:1).

Jesus taught many marvelous things before going back to heaven. Near the end of His first day’s visit, He authorized His disciples, in the new covenant, to give the Holy Ghost to others. (See 3 Ne. 18:36–37.)

The next day, so many people were there that the disciples divided them into twelve groups to teach them. Then the whole multitude “did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them” (3 Ne. 19:9).

Nephi went down into the water and baptized many people. “And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (3 Ne. 19:13).

Those who are baptized today still receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as a constant companion and guide if they are worthy. Nine-year-old Kendall Hand of Glen St. Mary, Florida, has felt this guidance. He recalls: “When I was baptized on my eighth birthday, I was so happy! I knew that I was following Jesus’ example. After my baptism, we had a birthday party at a nearby park. Some of my friends and family gave me money as birthday presents. I added it to what I had earned that summer, then hid it.

“When I went to get it a few days later, I couldn’t find it. I said a prayer—still no money. Weeks passed—still no money. In the meantime, I earned five dollars for helping my dad. I decided to use those five dollars to pay tithing on the money I had lost. I knew that now that I was a baptized member of the Church, Heavenly Father expected me to pay my tithing. I put the money into a tithing envelope and gave it to the bishop. It felt good.

“That Sunday afternoon I had an idea to look in my closet in a box where I keep my old hats. There was my money! Mom told me that it was the Holy Ghost who gave me that idea. She said that Heavenly Father will bless us if we try to do what’s right. It was right for me to pay my tithing.”

Color the flannel-board figures, then mount them on heavy paper. Cut them out and use them to retell the story “The Nephite Disciples Baptize.”

flannel-board figures

Modern boy paying his tithing; Jesus teaching the Nephite disciples; People being filled with the Holy Ghost; Nephi baptizing.
(Illustrated by Beth Whittaker.)

Painting by Jerry Thompson