In Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 we read, “And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.”

This verse outlines the order of operations we are to follow in seeking baptism and performing baptism for others. 

We are to:

1. Humble ourselves before God

2. Desire baptism (understanding what it is and what it means)

3. Come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits (having fully submitted ourselves to God, giving up all our worldly lusts)

4. Witness by our righteousness that we have fully repented of all our sins

5. Be willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him all of our lives (by always doing what we sincerely believe he would do in our place)

6. Manifest by our works that we have received of the Spirit of Christ (having internalized and lived the word and law of God that we have already received), having ceased from all sin

7. And having repented and been baptized are received into the Church of Christ, even the body of Christ, even all those who have truly repented and do walk every day of their lives with faith in Jesus Christ, without sin, unto salvation.

This is the law.

Those who keep this law, having repented, and who are faithful unto the end of their lives are promised eternal life.

“Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh.  And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.” (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 32:6) This is the testimony of Nephi. And this is the testimony, witness, and reality that we should all seek to receive for ourselves.

The Holy Ghost has witnessed to me that this is all true. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.