Research Question: What role does baptism play in helping people overcome hypocrisy? I. Introduction A. Describe why the baptismal ordinance is really important in the process to become instruments where God can work. B. The type of approach used in the paper will be more spiritual, with the constant use of standard works passages and general conference messages. C. Thesis: By entering the everlasting ordinance of baptism with a full purpose of heart, we receive the Holy Ghost who acts upon us to overcome hypocrisy by showing obedience, humility, and disposition to the Lord’s teachings and commands. II. Baptism is a commitment in which we humbly say to the Lord: “Yes, Lord, I will follow thee.” A. The Lord teaches us in 3 Nephi 13: 6 …show more content…
In Moroni 7: 9 – 10 we learn that a hypocrite person who “prays without a real intent of heart, it profiteth him nothing for God receiveth none such.” i. The baptismal ordinance teaches us humility. Without humility there is only pride in our hearts and hypocrisy grows. B. In Mosiah 18: 9 the Lord teaches us that people who enter into the baptismal ordinance “are willing to bear one another’s burdens.” a. If hypocrisy is found in our hearts, then we will be unable to help our brothers and sisters because the Lord’s spirit will not live in us.” i. With the baptism we humbly say: “Lord I will follow you, even though that means I need to carry my brother’s burdens.” III. Baptism by fire helps us to overcome hypocrisy because we are able to speak with the tongue of angels A. In 2 Nephi 32: 3 we learn that the tongue of angels is where the power of the Holy Ghost resides. And therefore, we speak the words of …show more content…
Brother Holland taught us that our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith, charity, and hope. i. Baptism by fire is when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Hypocrite people think they are fully baptized, but they do not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and thus they are unable to speak with the tongue of angels. B. The power of the Holy Ghost is able to fill hypocrisy with the light of Christ which enables us to rejoice in His words and find happiness in this world. a. When the Holy Ghost lives in our spirit we are able to “retain a remission of our sins and grow in the knowledge of that which is just and true.” (Mosiah 4: 12) i. When hypocrite people really repent, then the Holy Ghost is able to help them become people that can speak with the tongue of angels and thus fill their hearts with the light of Christ. IV. Baptism helps overcome hypocrisy through a commitment to make acts of service to others. A. Elder Renlund taught us that Latter-Day Saints should keep on trying even though the challenge seems impossible a. As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, members become true Latter-Day