Why Immersion?

In my religion and in many other Christian churches, we practice baptism "by immersion," specifically complete submersion. There are other groups that baptize "by affusion" or with sprinkling. The mode and manner of baptism has been a point of doctrinal debate since the days of the Reformation. And while many justly argue that the spirit of this ordinance is more important than the method, I have found the physical rite itself to be profoundly beautiful and instructive. What follows is a brief talk I gave at a recent convert baptism in which I explained some of what I have observed and felt about what we can learn from the act of baptizing by immersion:

I think one of the things we are meant to learn from the baptismal ordinance is that Christian discipleship is an immersive experience. You are not being baptized into a church that simply asks for a few hours of your week and an occasional donation. Rather, you are being baptized, as the Apostle Paul said, unto Christ’s death--a long and sometimes steep path of discipleship that will demand your heart, might, mind, and strength; your time, talents, and means; your will, your love, and your life. No partial measures will do. Now, that is not something to enter lightly. And I think baptism by immersion is meant to teach us experientially that our obedience and discipleship will ultimately be incomplete and insufficient if we are not entirely immersed—even if there is just one little hair “above water.”

So, with that said, you might be wondering, “what am I getting myself into?” Well, the answer is water—literally,  but also symbolically. Starting today (and then re-starting every following day), you are to immerse yourself as much as you can in the living water—in Jesus Christ Himself. Although my initial discussion about immersion may have seemed overwhelming (and in some ways, it is, even to me), you should find great comfort in that knowledge. Speaking about the weight of the immersive discipleship He requires (i.e. of what it takes to be a faithful member of His church), Christ declared, “My yoke is easy, and my burden light.” That is the water into which you are being baptized—in which you are to immerse yourself completely. It will ask for everything you have and are. But it will give you all that the Father has and is. It is a burden, but it is light, and it is worth it.

Another thing to remember is that you will not be in that baptismal font by yourself. You could, theoretically, step into the font and immerse yourself without any assistance, but that is not how this ordinance works. Instead, a priesthood holder will stand beside you and help as you perform the ordinance. I’ve said that on one level the water represents Christ—the living water. Well, so does the priesthood holder. In your life, as you try to immerse yourself in His word and His works, as you try to fill your life with His love, He will stand beside you, and help you in those efforts.

There will come moments in your life when you will realize that you have not been immersing yourself as you should—even though the burden is light, you may let it fall. You might slip up on the word of wisdom, or you could miss church some week. What then? Well, what would happen if, during your baptism, you were not completely immersed? You would just have to try again. That’s it. And you’d try again until you got it right. With baptism and with life, as long as you don’t give up, as long as you keep trying, things will work out. They will work out because Christ will never give up on you. If you are willing to take His hand, He will take yours, and lead you gently along until someday you will find yourself at His side, in the presence of God, to go no more out.

Remember this:

• You are committing your whole self—the Book of Mormon prophet Alma explained that one part of the covenant we make at baptism is to “stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death.”

• The baptismal water represents that living water: You should fill your life with love, service, goodness, and light. And, as you do, reflect that to others.
• You are not alone. Jesus Christ will stand by you as you lay down the life of the old man of sin, as you begin a new life of discipleship and membership in the restored church of Jesus Christ, and, ultimately, after you die and are raised up to be with and become like Him.

That is the path you begin today. I want you to know that this path has been beautiful for me. I believe with all my heart that it is true and good.