“Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptised in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.”
– 3 Nephi 27:20
As I ponder this verse, I am reminded of a similar call from the New Testament. In Acts 2:38, after Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, the people asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter’s reply is direct and echoes the Saviour’s words in 3 Nephi: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Both passages testify to the vital process of repentance, baptism, and the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. What stands out most to me is the universal scope of Christ’s invitation. “All ye ends of the earth” includes every soul, regardless of race, nationality, or prior belief. This invitation is not only for a select few; it is a global call to repentance and faith in Christ. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Ephesians, shows how far reaching this invitation is, proclaiming that Christ “came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh” (Ephesians 2:17). Christ’s atonement spans every divide, and His call to repentance is extended to all people, from the most devout to the most distant.
The command to “come unto me and be baptised” invites us not only to turn from our sins but also to enter into a real covenant relationship with the Saviour. Baptism is the outward sign of our inward commitment, symbolising our death to sin and our rebirth into a new life in Christ. Through baptism, we are sanctified by the Holy Ghost, which works within us to purify our hearts and refine our souls. As Paul writes in Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” This transformation, this renewal of the spirit, is essential if we are to “stand spotless before [Christ] at the last day.”
What a marvellous promise! That through repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, we can be sanctified—made holy—and prepared to stand before God, not with fear or shame, but with confidence and purity. This process is not instantaneous, nor is it easy. It requires daily repentance and reliance upon Heavenly Father. Yet, it is through this path that we become more like Christ, shedding the stains of the world and embracing the robes of righteousness He offers us.
In this passage, I can not but think of the infinite love and patience of our Saviour. His invitation to repent and come unto Him is continual. No matter how many times we stumble, His arms remain outstretched, offering us the opportunity to return, to be cleansed, and to be sanctified anew. His grace is sufficient, and His mercy never fails.
