“Then Cometh a Remission of Your Sins”
The Holy Ghost is a sanctifier (Alma 13:12; 3 Nephi 27:19-20). The ordinance of baptism consists of two parts: the baptism of water and the baptism of fire or the Holy Ghost (see John 3:3-5). The Holy Ghost is the sanctifying medium by which one’s sins- after the outward ordinances- may be purged, as though by fire. “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man,” said Joseph Smith, “if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half- that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.” (Teachings, p. 314.)
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