RCE Verse Context

37 And he did teach them and did preach unto them repentance and redemption and faith on the Lord.

38 And it came to pass that he said unto them: "Behold, here are the Waters of Mormon" - for thus were they called -

39 "And now as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God and to be called His people, And are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light,

40 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn, Yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, And to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, That ye may be redeemed of God and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life -

41 Now, I say unto you, if this be the desires of your hearts, What have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord as a witness before Him that ye have entered into a covenant with Him that ye will serve Him and keep His commandments, that He may pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon you?"

42 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy and exclaimed: "This is the desires of our hearts!"

43 And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water and cried, saying: "O Lord, pour out Thy Spirit upon Thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart!"

44 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him and he said: "Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve Him until you are dead, as to the mortal body; And may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you, And may He grant unto you eternal life through the redemption of Christ which He hath prepared from the foundation of the world."

45 And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; And they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.

46 And again, Alma took another and went forth a second time into the water and baptized him according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water.

47 And after this manner he did baptize everyone that went forth to the Place of Mormon, And they were in number about two hundred and four souls,