John the Baptist
John the Baptist is well-remembered as the biblical man who baptized Jesus. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also know him as the man who conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Susquehanna River near Harmony, Pennsylvania, on May 15, 1829.
John was the long-awaited son of Zacharias and Elisabeth. Through them he was a descendent of Aaron. As Zacharias was officiating in the temple, the angel Gabriel visited him and told him Elisabeth would bear a son. Due to their advanced years, Zacharias was doubtful, and Gabriel struck him deaf and dumb until the naming of the baby eight days after John’s birth. John was “the embodiment of the law of Moses,” the one who would “prepare the way for the Messiah and make ready a people to receive Him.”[1]
Even while yet in his mother’s womb, John bore testimony of Jesus at the time of Mary’s visit to Elisabeth. “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And She spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blesses is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luke 1:40–44)
- He was a child of promise, with prophecies of his mission having been given by Isaiah (Isa. 40:3) and Malachi (Mal. 3:1; see also 1 Ne. 10:7–10; 2 Ne. 31:4–8). He grew up in the desert until the time arrived for his ministry to prepare the way for the Savior.[2]
Latter-day revelation tells us that he was “ordained by an angel,” when he was eight days of age, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews and to prepare a people for the Lord. We learn also that he was baptized while yet in his childhood. (D&C 84:27–28).
He was a great teacher, drawing many to him and baptizing them. But he turned his followers to Jesus, saying, “I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. . . . He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 1:26–27) (John 3:30)
“At least two of those who were later to become members of the Twelve, John and Andrew, were disciples of John before they met Jesus (John 1:35–42). It is probable that others of the Twelve were also tutored by him (Acts 1:21–22). He watched, without feelings of jealousy, the waning of his own influence and the growth of the influence of Jesus (John 3:25–36).”[3]
John was imprisoned by order of King Herod. After close to a year in prison, John was beheaded.
- His ministry has operated in three dispensations: he was the last of the prophets under the law of Moses, he was the first of the New Testament prophets, and he brought the Aaronic Priesthood to the dispensation of the fulness of times.[4]
Restoration scripture declares that John the Baptist was among the prophets and saints who were with Christ in his resurrection. (Doctrine and Covenants 133:55)
- For a deeper discussion of John the Baptist, see “John the Baptist: A Burning and a Shining Light” by Robert J. Matthews
