KnoWhy #279 - Why Did Joseph and Oliver Seek Authority to Baptize? (3 Nephi 11:24-25)

During the process of translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery went into the woods to pray concerning baptism and authority. In response, the Lord sent John the Baptist to confer upon them the Aaronic Priesthood. Some may wonder what it was, in the first place, that initiated Joseph and Oliver’s concern about this subject. A careful study of the text suggests that in the translation process up to that point they would have come across multiple references to baptism and priesthood authority—topics which culminated in importance in 3 Nephi. Oliver explained that after translating the account of the Savior’s ministry, they naturally wanted to show a willingness of the heart “by being buried in the liquid grave.”