Jerad answered...

For us, baptism is a two way promise or covenant with our father in Heaven. We promise to obey his commandments, take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and to always remember him ((D&C 20:77-78) and he promises to give us a remission, or forgiveness for our sins and his spirit to guide us (3 Nephi 27:19-20). However, we must keep our promise to maintain the blessings offered by our Heavenly Father. Baptism is preceeded by faith in Jesus Christ and then repentance. Once we repent of our sins and change our lives, we enter into the waters of baptism. We believe in being baptized by immersion, by someone holding the authority of God (3 Nephi 11:19-27), and at an age of responsibility, when we can recognize the difference between right and wrong (the age of eight is set as when we can do this) (D&C 68:27). There is symbolism in baptism by immersion in the death and resurrection of Christ and also the death of our past lives and a rebirth where we are cleansed from sin (Romans 6:3-6). Baptism must also be followed by receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (Acts 19:1-6).The Gift of the Holy Ghost is a second baptism by fire and completes the baptism by water (Matthew 3:11 and John 3:5).