RS/EQ: "The Mission of John the Baptist"

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

07 Apr 2008 12:00 PM

The sixth lesson in our Joseph Smith manual is entitled: "The Mission of John the Baptist." We read that John the Baptist was "a legal administrator and the forerunner of Christ." What all does that mean?

As Joseph and Oliver Cowdery worked on the translation of the gold plates, they came to a passage about baptism that struck their souls. They went out into the woods to pray about it, and were given in answer a visit from John the Baptist, who ordained both of them to the Aaronic Priesthood. This event was significant, as it marked the return of proper Priesthood authority to the earth.

Our lesson begins as the Prophet answers a question that had been put to him, concerning the greatness of John the Baptist, the question arising from the verse in Luke 7:28. Joseph answered, saying that John's greatness came from two things. First, he had been given the mission of preparing the way for the Son of God, a charge no man had ever received before or ever would again. Secondly, he was the one chosen to baptize Christ.

As we hear the Prophet talk about the baptism of Christ, we also learn two very important truths. First, the dove was set aside as a symbol for the Holy Ghost since before the creation of the world, and Satan cannot appear in that form. He counterfeits in other ways, but the sign of the dove is off limits to him. Second, we learn that the Holy Ghost is a personage, and does not appear in the form of a dove, for He does not take on other forms. Rather, the sign of the dove is present to signify Him.

The Prophet also teaches us that the gospel has been on the earth since the time of Adam and has so remained as long as one righteous man has existed on the earth. We did not have to wait until the day of Pentecost. We also learn that a person who holds the spirit of Elias has been set apart to do a preparatory work.

Related Blogs:

The Restoration of the Gospel

Solitude Can Bring You Closer to the Spirit

Reflections of Christ

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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