Re-baptism in the Book of Mormon

What does the Book of Mormon teach us about baptism?  Was it a one time incident in someone's lifetime?

1 Nephi 20

1. Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of baptism, who swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness.

Baptism has always been the means of showing God that we accept His message and are willing to come unto him. It is the gateway on the path that leads to him. Baptism follows repentance – or the turning again unto the Lord. Baptism has also been a symbol of accepting the covenant or accepting a new covenant. (Mosiah 18:10)

Alma baptized in the waters of Mormon. He had been a priest to King Noah. Had he been baptized before becoming a priest? Had the people? In the book of Mosiah, we are told about the baptisms in the waters of Mormon, and then the baptisms that happened once the people had been re-united with people of Mosiah, and then once again we are told about the going forth to baptize people throughout the lands.

Later, in Alma's famous discourse where he asks if you have been born of God, taken his image in your countenance, and can sing the song of redeeming love; Alma invites the members of the church to be baptized again and the non-members to accept and invitation to come unto God through baptism:

Alma 5

62. I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.

At the end of the Book of Helaman, we are told how those who believed in the words of Samuel the Lamanite, sought out Nephi and were baptized.

Helaman 16

1. And now, it came to pass that there were many who heard the words of Samuel, the Lamanite, which he spake upon the walls of the city. And as many as believed on his word went forth and sought for Nephi; and when they had come forth and found him they confessed unto him their sins and denied not, desiring that they might be baptized unto the Lord.

2. But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows.

3. Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized.

4. For behold, Nephi was baptizing, and prophesying, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people, showing signs and wonders, working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come--

In the very next chapter - after the sign of Christ's birth had been shown among the Nephites - we are told that Nephi was once again going forth and baptizing the people:

3 Nephi 1

23. And it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great remission of sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land.

The Book of Mormon uses the term: “baptized unto repentance”. These baptisms unto repentance caused a great remission of sins and brought peace to the land.

Later in 3^rd Nephi, we are told how none were brought unto repentance save they were also baptized:

3 Nephi 7

23. Thus passed away the thirty and second year also. And Nephi did cry unto the people in the commencement of the thirty and third year; and he did preach unto them repentance and remission of sins.

24. Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who were brought unto repentance who were not baptized with water.

25. Therefore, there were ordained of Nephi, men unto this ministry, that all such as should come unto them should be baptized with water, and this as a witness and a testimony before God, and unto the people, that they had repented and received a remission of their sins.

26. And there were many in the commencement of this year that were baptized unto repentance; and thus the more part of the year did pass away.

It is soon after this time, that the signs of the death of Christ appeared where destruction occurred on the american continent and many people were destroyed. After this destruction, Christ appeared to those who remained.

One of the first things Christ did was explain who he was. He then taught the people the doctrine of Christ:

3 Nephi 11

23. Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them--Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.

Later Nephi and those called to minister to the people were baptized. Nephi was baptizing before the destruction. The more righteous part of the people were the ones spared. Would they not have already all been baptized? Would this be showing a pattern of baptism where baptism is about repentance, about witnessing accepting of God's will, and about new beginnings.

3 Nephi 19

11. And it came to pass that Nephi went down into the water and was baptized.

12. And he came up out of the water and began to baptize. And he baptized all those whom Jesus had chosen.

13. And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

Later, they went forth and baptized the people yet again. All who came to them.

3 Nephi 26

17. And it came to pass that the disciples whom Jesus had chosen began from that time forth to baptize and to teach as many as did come unto them; and as many as were baptized in the name of Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost.

In Moroni, we learn that elders, priests, and teachers were baptized.

Moroni 6

1. And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.

2. Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins.

3. And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.

In Moroni 8, we learn that the first fruits of repentance is baptism.

Moroni 8

25. And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;