"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."
"And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end."
We prepare for baptism and for taking Christ’s name upon us when our inner condition matches the three movements in Moroni 6:2–3: broken, heart, and took upon. Each movement corresponds to a principle in the Topical Guide and to the question What prepares us for baptism and taking Christ’s name upon us?
Broken — Poor in Spirit
What prepares us? We come willing to be undone before God—no defenses, no excuses, no self‑saving. A broken posture means we stop resisting Him. We let the Lord humble us, soften us, and make us honest about our need for mercy.
Why this prepares us:
When we are broken in spirit, we finally stop trying to save ourselves. We let God in. We let grace work. Scripture shows that God draws near to the broken, heals the broken, and receives the broken.
Scriptures from the list (Poor in Spirit / Contrite Heart):
- Lev. 26:41 — hearts humbled.
- Ps. 34:18 — He saves the contrite.
- Ps. 51:17 — God receives a broken and contrite heart.
- Isa. 57:15 — He dwells with the contrite.
- Isa. 66:2 — He looks to the poor and contrite in spirit.
- Matt. 5:3–5 (Luke 6:20) — The meek inherit the Kingdom.
- Luke 18:13 — “God be merciful to me a sinner.”
- D&C 56:17 — "Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite"
Principle: Poor in Spirit — We prepare for baptism when we let God break our pride so He can heal our soul.
Heart — Contrite Heart
What prepares us? A contrite heart is not merely broken—it is softened, teachable, and willing. It is the heart that says, “Lord, shape me.” It is the heart that stops running and starts returning.
Why this prepares us:
Baptism is not just cleansing; it is covenant belonging. A contrite heart is the only heart that can enter a covenant honestly. It is the heart that wants to change, wants to follow, and wants to be made new.
Scriptures from the list (Contrite Heart):
- Matt. 11:29 — Christ is meek and lowly in heart.
- Luke 15:21 — “No more worthy to be called thy son.”
- D&C 21:9 — remission comes to the contrite.
- D&C 52:15 — he who prays with a contrite spirit.
- D&C 56:18 — hearts broken, spirits contrite.
- D&C 136:33 — the Spirit enlightens the humble and contrite.
Principle: Contrite Heart — We prepare for baptism when our hearts become willing, soft, and teachable before God.
Took Upon — Taking the Name of Christ
What prepares us? We come ready to take upon us His name—not as a label, but as a life. This means we intend to live as His, represent Him, and serve Him to the end.
Why this prepares us:
Baptism is the covenant where we bind ourselves to Christ. We cannot take His name lightly. We prepare when we believe in His name, trust His name, and desire to be known by His name.
Scriptures from the list (Taking the Name of Christ):
- Acts 4:12 — no other name saves.
- 2 Ne. 31:13 — take His name by baptism.
- Mosiah 5:11 — this is the name He gives His people.
- Mosiah 18:10 — baptized as a witness.
- Mosiah 26:18 — blessed are those willing to bear His name.
- 3 Ne. 27:5 — His church bears His name.
- Moro. 4:3 — willing to take upon us His name, weekly at sacrament.
- D&C 20:37 — taking His name means we are willing to serve Him to the end, we witness that we have repented and are willing to follow Him, we show by our works that His Spirit has changed us.
Principle: Taking the Name of Christ — We prepare for baptism when we desire to belong to Christ and represent Him faithfully.
Unified Principle for Us
We prepare for baptism and for taking Christ’s name upon us when our spirit is broken before God, our heart is contrite toward God, and our will is aligned with Christ.
Broken makes us humble.
Contrite makes us willing.
Taking His name makes us covenantal.
Together, these three movements shape us into disciples who can honestly say, “We are His.”
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