Should I be baptized again?

I have had the privilege of teaching many people about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the process of all this there have been many questions that I have been asked. There is one that has recently been reoccurring as I've been back in Nashville. "Should I be baptized again?" This is the concern that I want to address today.

What is it about baptism that it is so important? That is the first question that should be answered. The Savior Himself taught Nicodemus, a pharisee, this about baptism:
"1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:1-5

Jesus Christ taught us by word and by example that baptism is an ordinance, or sacred ceremony, that is necessary for our salvation. We read about His example of its importance in the same place where we read about another part of baptism that is so often overlooked, the baptism of fire, or of the Holy Ghost. In the Gospel of Matthew it reads:

" 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:...

13 ¶Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." - Matthew 3:11-17

 

 Have you ever wondered why the Savior went to John the Baptist to be baptized of him? If you have, or haven't, let me shine some light on the subject. John the Baptist was of the tribe of Levi.This means that he had the Priesthood Authority from God to perform sacred ordinances like baptism. The Savior went to one who he knew was authorized to baptize Him. Shouldn't we do the same today? Here is a short account of others recorded in Holy Scripture who waited to have someone with the proper authority to perform their baptism. This event is found in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

"33 And it came to pass that king Limhi and many of his people were desirous to be baptized; but there was none in the land that had authority from God...

34 Therefore they did not at that time form themselves into a church, waiting upon the Spirit of the Lord. Now they were desirous to become even as Alma and his brethren, who had fled into the wilderness.
35 They were desirous to be baptized as a witness and a testimony that they were willing to serve God with all their hearts; nevertheless they did prolong the time; and an account of their baptism shall be given hereafter." - Mosiah 21:33-25

"17 And it came to pass that after Alma had taught the people many things, and had made an end of speaking to them, that king Limhi was desirous that he might be baptized; and all his people were desirous that they might be baptized also.

18 Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize them; yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his brethren in the waters of Mormon; yea, and as many as he did baptize did belong to the church of God; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma." - Mosiah 25:17-18

Now what about the other part of baptism? The Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost? Well receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost is another sacred ordinance that is a part of our salvation. We read in Acts:
 "14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee." -Acts 8:14-22

Peter and John were chosen Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. As such, they had the authority to act in the Priesthood and confer the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This authority is not something that can be purchased. It is not something that can be discovered at a school or given through a degree. As the scriptures state:
"4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." - Hebrews 5:4

Today we are blessed to have the Priesthood authority once again restored to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. So the question really isn't "should I be baptized again?" as much as it is "who has the authority to baptize me?" Every priesthood holder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can trace his authority through a prophet of God to the Savior Jesus Christ. So the ultimate question that answers both of the above I believe is "was Joseph Smith really called to be the Lord's prophet through which the Priesthood was restored to the Earth?"

I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to restore Christ's Church and His Holy Priesthood to the Earth. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom once again established on the earth. I know that because the Gospel was restored through a chosen prophet of God, we can once again perform necessary ordinances of salvation such as baptism. I know that any and all who desire can know these things for themselves by reading the Book of Mormon and asking God in prayer if the book is true. For this I am eternally grateful. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.