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.

Earth to be Baptized by Water and Fire

Bruce R. McConkie - Millennial Messiah

As to the plan of salvation for the earth, it also calls for successive phases of existence and for whatever else is involved for the earth to abide the law and fill the full measure of its creation. This earth was first created as a spirit planet. Then came the Edenic or paradisiacal or terrestrial creation, during which period all forms of life were placed on its surface, in its waters, or in the atmospheric heavens that surround it. Next came the fall—the fall of man, the fall of all forms of life, and the fall of the earth. The fallen earth became a telestial sphere, which it now is. In the coming millennial day it will be renewed and receive again its paradisaical glory and will thus return to its terrestrial or Edenic state. And its final destiny is to become a celestial globe and shine like the sun in the firmament. In the process of abiding a celestial law, the earth was baptized by immersion in the days of Noah; and it will be baptized by fire at the Second Coming. This old earth is also destined to die and to be resurrected in the day of quickening. During the Millennium it will, in effect, be in a translated state, which, as pertaining to men, is the state Enoch and his people and some others attained. Thus, the earth was first a spirit planet and then a terrestrial globe. It is now a telestial earth; during the Millennium it will become terrestrial again; and finally, it will become a celestial earth. With an awareness of all this, we are ready to consider the new heaven and new earth that is soon to be.

Joseph Fielding Smith - Man, His Origin and Destiny

 (Regarding the flood:) We learn from the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, that the earth is a living being. It is obedient to every command, therefore it is entitled to be sanctified, just as human beings who keep the commandments of the Lord are to be sanctified. "And again," said the Lord, "the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it." Therefore, in order to sanctify the earth and cleanse it, it had to pass through the water of baptism, and by water be cleansed. Then, at a later day, it will be baptized with the fire and the Holy Ghost, just the same for the earth as for humanity who will possess it forever. Now we begin to see why there had to be a flood. It had to be a complete immersion, just the same as any other baptism, so the Lord did two things, first, he cleansed the earth of all of its corruption brought upon it by the wickedness of "all flesh," and second, the earth having reached the age for such an ordinance, was cleansed from all the sin upon its face.

Was the Holy Ghost on the Earth Before the Time of Our Savior?

Joseph Fielding Smith, 
Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols., 2:, p.157-161

Question: "In our class discussion the thought was expressed that the Holy Ghost was not upon the earth before nor during the time of the Savior's life and ministry. If it is the function of the Holy Ghost to teach and warn and bear testimony of the mission of the Savior, to be received following baptism, and if we believe the gospel to be the same yesterday, today, and forever, how can we account for the fact the Holy Ghost was not upon the earth until after the death of Jesus Christ? Would it not be according to reason that the Holy Ghost would be upon the earth as long as the gospel was upon the earth?"  

Answer: It is an astounding thing that an entire class studying the gospel would not have one member who could settle this question definitely from the scriptures. If the members of the class will read their Book of Mormon, they will find that Lehi and Nephi and all the prophets had the gift of the Holy Ghost, and by that Spirit, Nephi received visions.  

If they had read in the Pearl of Great Price, they would have seen that the ancient prophets were guided by the Holy Ghost and that when Adam was baptized, he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and the Spirit of the Lord, or Holy Ghost, descended upon him.  

Joseph Fielding Smith, The Progress of Man, p.66

...this earth was prepared for the habitation of the sons and daughters of God, so that they could all pass through mortality and here gain the experience so essential to advancement on to perfection, after the resurrection from the dead. Adam and Eve were placed at the head, and given the responsibility of introducing the mortal life, and making it possible for all the spirits who were assigned to this earth to come in their proper times and seasons, to obtain the experiences here awaiting them.  (Italics added)