Baptism of Fire

Nephi, who conversed with both Christ and Christ's Father, taught plainly concerning baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and the baptism by fire and of the Holy Ghost:

“And he [Christ] said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.” (2 Nephi 31:10-15; underline added)

In modern revelation the Lord explained His Gospel as follows:

“And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me. And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.” (D&C 39:5-6; underline added)

In another revelation we read: 

“Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; Yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel;” (D&C 33:10-12; underline added)

"The most consistent and the minimum description of this baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost includes these elements:

-repentance,
-baptism by water,
-baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost,
-evidenced by speaking with the tongue of angels.

One proof of baptism of fire is the gift of prophecy. Both Joseph and Oliver experienced the gift. So did the Lamanites, which they used to preach and declare repentance. I also experienced it after baptism in water. The gift follows as a sign to confirm baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. (D&C 63:9)

This “gift,” like other signs, is designed to confirm in the one who receives it a witness to them, from God, that this baptism has occurred. It is one of the essential elements, and is present in all the accounts. It appears on Nephi’s list also." (BFHG - Part 4)

Here are some additional links:

Baptism of Fire

Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost
BFHG - Part 2
BFHG - Part 3
BFHG - Part 4
BFHG - Part 5
BFHG - Conclusion

He Shall Sit as a Refiner and Purifier of Silver

There was a group of women in a Bible Study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" Malachi 3:3. This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work.

She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse, "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, how do you know when the silver is fully refined? He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."

Alma the younger asked the people these soul-searching questions: “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” Alma 5:14 “I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?” Alma 5:19

How do we receive his image in our countenances?

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

“But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.” Moroni 7:46-48 

Is charity another one of Christ’s titles? Why doesn’t charity ever fail us? Why doesn’t Christ ever fail us? How can we be filled with charity? Does this quest require everything we have to give? Can we hold anything back from our Lord? Who fills us with charity? Is charity our love for others or Christ’s love for us? When charity is bestowed, is this a divine act of mercy, grace, and love?

Why does the Father only bestow this love upon true followers of his Son? Are we purified because of our sinless nature or because of His purity? Is this what he means when he says “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7 Does His charity cover our sins?

How does charity purify true followers of Jesus Christ? What is the purpose of the refiner’s fire? What does this purifying and purging fire feel like? Why, in his charity, does he require us to pass through this intense heat?  Is this the baptism of fire? Can those who are impure offer up to God an offering in righteousness? Malachi 3:2-3 

Before I was married, I lived with my sister.  She didn’t have a sprinkler system, and I was in charge of watering the lawn.  It was hard trying to keep the lawn watered evenly. Sometimes I would turn on the sprinkler, forget about it, leave it running, and create a flood.  Other times I would set the sprinkler, and the outer edges didn’t receive enough water.  When I finally had the lawn watered, it was time to start the cycle again.  It was a big job keeping the lawn green all summer.

One hot July day, I looked up at the sun and thought, “What will happen if I don’t water the lawn?” The answer was obvious, “It will dry up and get brown.” Another question came, “What is created when the hot sun shines down upon a well-watered lawn?” Answer: “The lawn becomes green and lush.” 

An analogy came to mind.  The sun in the heavens can be compared to the Son of God.  During the summer when we feel the heat of the sun/Son, we need a lot of water. On a hot July day, we need extra water.  Without continually drinking from the well of living water, we would shrivel and die; but with ample water, we grow and thrive.

It’s interesting that as we approach the Son, the heat intensifies, and our need for living water also increases.  How do we acquire this essential, life-sustaining water?  “But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life” D&C 63:23.

How are the mysteries of God’s kingdom a well of living water? Why is God able to share His mysteries with those who keep the commandments? What are the mysteries of God’s Kingdom? Why are these mysteries essential to our survival? How do we gain everlasting life?

Who is vigilantly watching as we pass through the fire? Do we trust Him with our soul? Do we trust that he will remove us from the fire before we are destroyed? “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 

“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen” D&C 121:34. “For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” 1 Nephi 20:10. Why does He choose his servants in the furnace of affliction?  Are we willing to patiently submit to the refiner’s fire before being chosen?

Who is waiting for us on the other side of the fire?

 “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

“And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

“Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:13-17  

What are these great tribulations? What are these robes? How do our robes become white in the blood of the Lamb? How does he quench our thirst? How much does he really love us? 

Question #2 - How could three hundred souls be baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost and know it not?

From these scriptures we learn that there were about three hundred souls who saw and heard much; the Holy Spirit of God did enter into their hearts; they were filled as if with fire; they could speak forth marvelous words; a pleasant voice whispered, saying: Peace, peace be unto you; angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them.

My question is: “How could three hundred souls be baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost and know it not? How do people know when they've been baptized by fire?”

“And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.

And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory.

And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words.

And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:

Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.

And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them.

And there were about three hundred souls who saw and heard these things; and they were bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt” Helaman 5:43-49.

“Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost” Ether 12:14.

“And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not” 3 Nephi 9:20.