Joseph and Oliver Baptized

Church History In The Fulness Of Times Student Manual

The angel introduced himself as “John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and [told them] that he acted under the direction of Peter, James, and John” (Joseph Smith—History 1:72). He laid his hands upon Joseph and Oliver and said, “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins” (Joseph Smith—History 1:69; see also D&C 13:1). John explained that the Melchizedek Priesthood would be bestowed upon them at a later time. For the first time in centuries, the priesthood was again on the earth.

John directed Joseph to baptize Oliver, and Oliver to then baptize Joseph. They were then to confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon each other. As they came out of the water from their baptisms, they were filled with the spirit of prophecy. Oliver predicted “many things which should shortly come to pass,” and Joseph prophesied “concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected with the Church, and this generation of the children of men.” They were “filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of [their] salvation” (Joseph Smith—History 1:73). They were also given insight into the meaning of the scriptures. They had to keep these things secret, however, because of persecution from local religious leaders. Isaac Hale, Joseph’s father-in-law, had stepped in to provide protection, but his ability to control the situation waned.

Joseph Fielding Smith - Doctrines of Salvation

WHY PROPHET GAINED PRIESTHOOD BEFORE BAPTISM. 3. Another thing very significant in the coming of John is the fact that he, who was at the time a resurrected personage, conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the priesthood and then required of them that they baptize each other. In the natural order of things, men are baptized before the priesthood is conferred upon them. In this case the order was reversed.   

We may conclude quite safely that with the limited knowledge which they had at that time, these two inexperienced young men, had they been guilty of perpetrating a fraud, would not have thought of this. It is most likely that they would have made the claim that the angel first baptized them and then gave them the priesthood. Had they made such a statement as this it would have been fatal to their story. It is an important fact, shown by direct acts and by implication in all the scriptures, that God has done for men all that men can not do for themselves to secure salvation, but he expects men to do all for themselves that is in their power.

Joseph Fielding Smith - Essentials in Church History

Joseph and Oliver Baptized.—This messenger, after conferring the Priesthood, instructed Joseph and Oliver to go down into the water and baptize each other. After which they were to lay hands upon each other and re-confer the Priesthood which he had bestowed upon them. There are two reasons why they should be commanded to do this thing. First, to confer the Priesthood before baptism, is contrary to the order of the organized Church, therefore they were commanded to confer the Priesthood upon each other in the regular way; after they were baptized. Second, the angel did for them that which they could not do for themselves. There was no one living in mortality who held the keys of this Priesthood, therefore it was necessary that this messenger, who held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood in the Dispensation of the Meridian of Time, should be sent to confer this power. It is contrary to the order of heaven for those who have passed beyond the veil to officiate and labor for the living on the earth, only wherein mortal man cannot act, and thereby it becomes necessary for those who have passed through the resurrection to act for them. Otherwise John would have followed the regular order, which is practiced in the Church, and would have first baptized Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and then conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood.

As the angel had commanded them, they repaired to the water where Joseph first baptized Oliver and then Oliver baptized Joseph. Immediately after coming out of the water they experienced great and glorious blessings, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, began to prophesy of the coming forth of the Church and the establishment of the great work of the Lord in the latter days. Their minds were now enlightened and the scriptures were opened to their understandings. For the first time in many centuries there now stood on the earth men with power to officiate in baptism for the remission of sin.