1Start
On May 15, 1829, John the Baptist came back to the earth as a messenger from heaven and laid his hands on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (his account).
2Read Together
Joseph and Oliver were translating the Book of Mormon and read about baptism for the remission of sins. They went into the woods to pray about it (his account).
Mark 1:4–5 · King James Version
4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
3What It Teaches
In the New Testament, John baptized “in the wilderness” and preached “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). He held the Aaronic Priesthood, the authority to do that work.
In 1829 he gave that same priesthood to Joseph and Oliver. It holds the keys of the ministering of angels and of the gospel of repentance. It also holds the keys of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1). Then Joseph and Oliver baptized each other (his account).
Today, young men in the Aaronic Priesthood prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament. Priests can also baptize (Doctrine and Covenants 20:46).
Each Sunday the sacrament lets us renew the promises we made at baptism (Doctrine and Covenants 20:37; 20:77). The authority John brought back to the earth is at work in our ward every week.
4Talk About It
John the Baptist came back to restore the authority to baptize. How does knowing where that authority came from change the way you see the sacrament?