Too Long & 2 Nephi 31

Honestly, my husband and I have been reading together in the evenings, so I haven't been taking the time to go verse by verse on here. I should, though. My own thought processes are good for me. It's good to read alone, and think, and decide where I stand, rather than have someone else's input all of the time. Of course, if you are reading with a prayer, I'm sure the Spirit has plenty of input in that "conversation"!

Now, to get myself back on track, I believe I will read a chapter. I owe it to myself, don't I? Plus, it's Christmas time, and where should my mind be centered? Right here. In the scriptures.

4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.
5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!
6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?
7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.
8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.
9 And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.
10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?
11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.
12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 31:4 - 12)

This section of scripture is packed full of wonderful question starters for me. And answers.
The first thing that catches my attention is the obvious need for baptism by immersion. I read all too often of how it "just isn't necessary anymore" or "a sprinkling is symbolic". I really don't think it cuts it. Honestly. The scriptures say to follow the Savior, they say he was PURE and not in need of baptism, but was baptized to SHOW US how it is to be done. I don't believe we truly understand all the laws of God (Heaven knows I am confused right now as to how Moses kills a guy, becomes a fugitive, and then is called as a prophet...I have SO many questions to ask when I die), but I think the Christ was pretty explicit in this whole baptism thing. Honestly, if anyone out there can tell me the reasons they don't think they need baptism (by immersion, by someone with priesthood authority)to be saved, I'd love to hear it, because I cannot see it myself when I read the scriptures.

Second. I have a HUGE beef with the whole God & Jesus & the Holy Ghost are the same guy. In the scriptures above, (and in the Bible, since I realize that some reading this may not accept the Book of Mormon as scripture. That's fine, we'll use
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
(New Testament | Matthew 3:15 - 17))

Is Christ throwing his voice? Descending upon himself? Yes, I know there are scriptures that say that the Father & Son are one, but I've been thinking. There are also scriptures that say that "If ye are not one ye are not mine", but even as we as a people become "one" we do not become a huge being of one mass. I'm still me, you are still you. Jesus is Jesus, Heavenly Father is Heavenly Father.

I must add that this is not something I started believing after being baptized into the LDS church. As a small girl, I had a hard time praying to a "being". I started imaging a loving father that would sit & listen to me. I saw him as separate from Jesus, who I learned of & felt indebted to. When the LDS doctrine was introduced to me, even though I'd been living in a Catholic household, the doctrine of them being three separate, distinct beings was not foreign to me.

This belief also makes it easier for me to pray. I feel heard, if you will. I feel like it is a conversation, not just a floating head dissertation. I'm not giving a soliloquy, I'm talking to my creator--a God who I love.