Book of Mormon
Covenant of Christ
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6 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 unto the end. 4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the holy ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ. And their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
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6 Now I’ll speak about baptism. Elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they weren’t baptized unless they produced suitable evidence that they were worthy of it. 2 They didn’t receive any for baptism unless they came forward with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and testified to the congregation that they had truly repented of all their sins. 3 No one was received for baptism unless they took upon themselves the name of Christ, having made up their minds to serve Him to the end. 4 After they had been received for baptism and were influenced and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were included as being part of Christ’s congregation and their names were taken down, so they could be remembered and fed by the good word of God, to keep them on the right way, and to always keep them vigilant, in a state of prayer, relying exclusively on the merits of Christ, who was the author and finisher of their faith.
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5 And the church did meet together oft to fast, and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. 6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus. 7 And they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them. And whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the elders, and if they repented not and confessed not, their names were blotted out and they were not numbered among the people of Christ. 8 But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness with real intent, they were forgiven. 9 And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the spirit, and by the power of the holy ghost, for as the power of the holy ghost led them, whether to preach, or exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.
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5 The congregation met together often to fast, pray, and speak with each other about the well-being of their souls, 6 and they met together often to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus. 7 They were vigilant in making sure there was no iniquity among them. And whoever was found to commit iniquity — and three congregation witnesses gave testimony against them before the elders — and if they didn’t repent or confess, their names were erased and they weren’t included as belonging to Christ’s people. 8 But as often as they repented and asked for forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven. 9 Their meetings were conducted by the congregation according to the operation of the Spirit and by the power of the Holy Ghost. They would do as the Holy Ghost inspired them, whether it was to preach, admonish, pray, humbly petition, or sing, that’s what they would do.