After translating for about five weeks, Oliver
Cowdery and Joseph Smith
were prompted to go into the woods to inquire of the Lord about baptism and priesthood authority.
Considering that they were well into the translation
of the Large Plates of Nephi,
some may wonder what moved them to finally ask about the particulars of baptism.
Oliver later recalled that one could not translate
and write of the resurrected
Savior’s words to the Nephites in Third Nephi regarding the proper method for baptism without desiring it for themselves.
Even so, Third Nephi would not have been the
first place Joseph and Oliver encountered
the discussion of authority to baptize.
They would have read about it in Mosiah and
Alma.
So, it is fair to assume that after such emphatic
repetition, with the final being from the Savior himself,
the two men would have clearly
understood that baptism by proper authority
and in the Lord’s directed way is of upmost
importance to God.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin wisely taught, “We
are constantly reminded through the scriptures
that we should give the things of God much
more than usual superficial consideration.
We must ponder them and reach into the very
essence of what we are and what we may become.”
In fact, Joseph and Oliver had done just as
Elder Wirthlin instructed:
they considered deeply the words of the prophets and the Son of God, and then took the matter to God himself,
asking with sincere hearts and with real intent.
Because Joseph Smith knew to take seriously
the word of God, and use the Book of Mormon
and the holy scriptures to lead the way forward,
he confidently knew what to ask,
which lead to yet another pivotal moment in Church History:
the restoration of the Aaronic priesthood in the latter days.
And now you know why.
