Next, Nephi returns to his earlier visions in which he had an audience with Christ. This is what he has been writing about throughout his record, of course, but most of that is implied by context. Here, he goes straight to the vision of Christ's baptism; which was part of his great visit with the Second Comforter. As he does so, we should realize he is trying to give us clues on how to read and understand his book. We need to keep that in mind as we read. He writes: "Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world. And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!" (2 Nephi 31: 4-5.)
The import of this is clear. Baptism is essential to salvation. But these verses also tell of other required lessons. First, if we are required to do what Christ did in this ordinance, to what lengths are we going to be required to "follow Him" in other respects, too? Nephi's principle (Christ did it, we should too) holds a potentially much broader application. Taken to its final end, it suggests a complete sacrifice of our lives. What Nephi is implying here, Christ commanded directly in His teachings.
Secondly, he is taking us back to his vision of Christ we saw abruptly end when he was commanded no t to write more. At the conclusion of the record, his commentary returns to that very subject. Nephi is reminding us, in his final commentary, about the visionary knowledge he possesses. Again we see how the Isaiah materials are a convenient way for Nephi to testify, using another prophet's words, of his vision of the world's unfolding latter-day history.
Nephi's advice throughout his record has been adapted to fit what he knows his latter-day audience will need. He may not be able to give us the details of his vision, but he does give us the lessons we need to survive the latter-day struggles we face. Nephi wants us to believe in Christ. He has seen Him, knows He lives, and will be the great sacrifice offered to redeem us. More importantly, Nephi wants us to follow Him.
Later in the Book of Mormon, Christ will introduce Himself to a Nephite audience. His introduction describes how He views Himself. In just two short verses, Christ defines Himself using "the Father" three times: "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning." (3 Nephi 11: 10-11, emphasis added.) Christ tells us He is primarily distinguished by His obedience and devotion to the Father.
When Nephi talks of Christ, he gives us the same message: Christ was obedient in all things to the will of the Father. Concerning Christ's baptism Nephi writes: "Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments." (3 Nephi 31: 7.) This emphasis on Christ keeping commandments is one of the themes of Nephi's testimony. If you want to be like Christ, you must keep His commandments. If you think you are following Christ, you can measure your success by your obedience. By his analogy Nephi is saying what Christ would teach: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14: 15.)
We can demonstrate our love by our obedience. Though obedience is frequently viewed as either an impossible burden, reminiscent of the Mosaic Law, or a superfluous requirement because we are saved by grace, it is in fact neither. Obedience to His commandments is how each of us is given an opportunity to express our love. It is a chance to become more like Him. Following what He commands allows us to see what He is like. His commandments reveal Him to us. To the extent we obey, we conform to the image of Christ. If we want to be like Him, we should obey.
Nephi discusses the need for obedience. His tendency to show formulas in his work reappears. He explains Christ's obedience was a "type" (or example) which we need to follow. Beginning with the ordinance of baptism, Nephi expands the requirement for following Christ in all things He taught. It is a "narrow gate" and there may be only a few willing to enter. Nonetheless, this is the entry point.
Nephi then gives a formula for spiritual enlightenment. He says we must take the following steps:
As a consequence of these things, you can then speak with the tongues of angels. Inspired words, whether out of your own mouth or the mouth of an angel, come from God. They give life. They are life. They are the words Nephi has been writing. He cautions us, however, that getting started down this path is to begin a one-way journey for a lifetime. You cannot leave it except at your everlasting peril. As he puts it: "after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me." (Id.)