Doctrine and Covenants Section 13

Historical Background

As Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery worked on the translation of the plates, with Joseph and translator and Oliver as scribe, they came across passages that mentioned baptism and the reception of the Holy Ghost. Questions about these matters began to form in their minds. In an effort to resolve their questions, they concluded that they would go into the wooded area behind the Smith home in Harmony and ask the Lord in prayer. The result of their prayer was that John the Baptist, as a resurrected being, appeared to them and conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood, and gave them instructions that that should baptize each other. He also indicated that the higher authority of the priesthood by which they could confer the gift of the Holy Ghost would be given shortly thereafter.

Afterward, Joseph and Oliver went into the waters of the Susquehanna River, a smooth, wide river that was about 100 yards from the home where Joseph and Emma lived, and baptized each other with this newly restored authority. According to their instructions, Joseph baptized Oliver first, and then Oliver baptized Joseph. Afterward, again according to the instructions given to them by John the Baptist, Joseph ordained Oliver to the Aaronic Priesthood and then Oliver ordained Joseph. Joseph wrote, “No sooner had I baptized Oliver Cowdery, than the Holy Ghost fell upon him, and he stood up and prophesied many things which should shortly come to pass. And again, as soon as I had been baptized by him, I also had the spirit of prophecy, when standing up, I prophesied concerning the rise of this Chruch, and many other things connected with the Church, and this generation of the children of men” (see Joseph Smith-History 1:68-73).

D&C 13:1 Scripture Analysis

1 Upon you my fellow servants, [What is the relationship that John the Baptist has with Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery? Who are they serving? What are they trying to accomplish with their service? Cross-reference: Moses 1:39.]

in the name of Messiah [Who is the Messiah? What name do we know him by? Explain to students that the word Messiah is a word that comes from the Hebrew language. It means “anointed one”. The word Christ comes from the Greek language and means “anointed one.” Therefore, John the Baptist might just as easily said, “in the name of Christ”. Why did he use the word Messiah?]

I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, [Cross-reference: Exodus 28:1-3. See also, D&C 84:26-28.]

which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, [Ask students what they think this means. What does it mean to have priesthood keys? What does it mean to have the authority to receive the ministering of angels? What angels appeared to Joseph Smith as he was given power to restore the Church to the earth? Is Joseph Smith the only person who ever had or will ever have the ministering of angels? Cross-reference: D&C 84:88.]

and of the gospel of repentance, [What does it mean to repent? Cross-reference: D&C 58:43. Who has the authority to invite people to repent? What place does repentance have in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Cross-reference: D&C 20:29-34.]

and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; [Why must baptism be done by immersion? Why must we have authority to baptize? Cross-reference: D&C 22:1-4. What does it mean to have our sins remitted? Does baptism wash away our sins? Cross-reference: Mosiah 18:10. What is it that washes away sins? Cross-reference: 2 Nephi 31:17.]

and this shall never be taken again from the earth, [This statement indicates that the Aaronic Priesthood had been taken from the earth. It was not on the earth at the time that Joseph and Oliver prayed. John the Baptist, who held the authority anciently, restored it to the earth. No one on the earth could have done this, because no one on the earth had the authority.]

until the sons of Levi [Levi was one of the sons of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. To the descendants of Levi was given the authority to serve in the tabernacle. Two important descendants of Levi are Moses and Aaron. Cross-reference: D&C 84:31-33. Who are the spiritual sons of Moses and Aaron today?]

do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. [Cross-reference: Malachi 3:1-3. See also, D&C 128:24. What is the sacrifice that the modern sons of Levi are to offer to the Lord in righteousness?]