Baptism is baptism by water performed after repentance and as a witness to the Father of willingness to take upon oneself the name of Christ. Nephi describes following the Lord and Savior “down into the water, according to his word,” while “repenting of your sins” (2 Nephi 31:13).
Nephi calls “repentance and baptism by water” the gate by which people should enter, after which comes “a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 31:17). Alma directs people to “come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins” (Alma 7:14).
One command required “no contention one with another” and “one faith and one baptism,” with hearts knit together in unity and love toward one another (Mosiah 18:21).