1 AND now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.

2 Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins.

3  And none [ Baptism was limited to only those who... ] were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, [ Which is: ] having a determination to serve him to the end. [ So in essence baptism is a covenant of obedience. 1 to be baptized in order to be obedient to God's commands, 2 to covenant that you will be obedient going forward after baptism. ]

4  And after they had been received unto baptism, [ After they have made the covenant with God, after they have been obedient to the command to be baptized. See 2 Ne 31:17. ] and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, [ "were wrought" or they were deeply stirred. So he is stating that the cleansing comes by the Holy Ghost and not by the water. The water does not wash away your sins. Explicitly stating that those who have been baptized are cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost – not by water! This cleansing comes some time after the baptism. (2 Ne. 31:18). In addition; we receive the Holy Ghost after we have made a covenant to be obedient to the will of the Father. ] they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered [ To reflect or remind. ] and nourished by the good word of God, [ Through personal study, with personal revelation received from the Holy Ghost, taking advantage of going to places where the gospel is taught. ] to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, [ Prayer on a daily basis. ] relying alone [ This is the one and only source for the cleansing of their souls. ] upon the merits of Christ, [ The goodness of Christ. ] who was the author [ He is the one who taught us the plan of salvation in pre earth life, and now on the earth through the prophets. He is The Word. ] and the finisher of their faith. [ Which was brought about through the atonement because of infinite love for each of us, which provides a way for us to have hope to live again with our Father in Heaven. ]

5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. [ We meet to teach and help each other. ]

6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, [ To renew our covenants as we partake of the sacrament. ] in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.

7 And they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them; and whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the elders, and if they repented not, and confessed not, their names were blotted out, and they were not numbered among the people of Christ.

8 But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven.

9 And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.