Mormonism follows the New Testament teachings on baptism. When Jesus Christ was living on this earth, He taught that baptism is necessary for salvation. He told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:1-5). Baptism is an essential part of our Father in Heaven’s plan for us. He actually commands us to be baptized by immersion to show that we believe in Jesus Christ, that we love Him, and that we want to follow Him by obeying His commandments.