baptism – Page 3 – What Do Mormons Believe?

“Except a man be born of water…”

Q. Why would a Lutheran pastor say that a baptism held by the Mormon church might not hold true with all of Christianity?

The best place to go for the answer to this question is a Lutheran pastor. There could be many reasons he would hold such a position, and I don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of Lutheran doctrine. However, I will tell you about our beliefs regarding baptism, so that when you talk to the pastor you will be moderately well-informed (in case he doesn’t know the ins and outs of Mormonism).

One thing I want to make clear: baptism is a covenant between an individual and his Heavenly Father. It is not a covenant with the rest of Christianity. Whether any other denomination accepts my baptism is immaterial if I know that it was authorized by God.

But which baptisms does He authorize? I’ll get to that in a moment; first, I’d like to shed a little light on what baptism means and why we do it.

The purpose of baptism

Baptism is found among the very first principles and ordinances of the gospel: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and receipt of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is a token of faith in Christ, and a sign that we have repented of our sins. It is also a prerequisite to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost as a daily, constant companion.

Like I mentioned above, baptism is a covenant (or contract) with God. We promise to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, become one of His people, and to serve God and keep all of His commandments. He promises to forgive us of our sins, to guide us through the Holy Spirit, and to give us eternal life. After baptism, we must be faithful to the promises we made.

jesusbaptized Baptism by water is the gateway to the straight and narrow path leading home to God. Jesus taught, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Being baptized is not optional for salvation. Even Jesus Christ, the holy and perfect Son of God, made this covenant with His Father when He was baptized by John. Why? Nephi, from the Book of Mormon teaches us:

“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” (2 Nephi 31:7).

Baptism must be done in the right way

How can you be sure your baptism was authorized by God? First, it must be done in the right way.

When Jesus appeared to the people in America (in the Book of Mormon), He very first taught them who He was, followed by detailed instructions on how to properly baptize:

“Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: ‘Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.’ And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water” (3 Nephi 11:23-26).

We’ll talk more about that phrase, “Having authority given me of Jesus Christ” in the next section.

Immersion in water is a key component of baptism. The very word “baptize” comes from the Greek word baptizein, meaning “to immerse.” Immersion is a symbol of death and burial. It represents both the death of our old, sinful life and the death and entombment of the Savior. We come out of the water to symbolize resurrection and rebirth. We have a new, clean life ahead of us. Baptism allows us to start with a clean slate.

Another key to proper baptism is accountability. Baptism must be administered to individuals who understand right and wrong. They must be capable of making and keeping this important covenant with God. Baptism of babies is not only unnecessary — because “little children are alive in Christ” (Moroni 8:12), and “of such is the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:14) — it is condemned. Babies are whole; they are not capable of committing sin. It is a wicked thought to say that one baby is saved and another condemned because the parents baptized the first and not the second (see Moroni 8).

Baptism must be done by authority

“We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof” (Article of Faith 5). We call this God-given authority ‘Priesthood.’ It is what allows a baptism on earth to be counted in heaven.

Not everyone holds the priesthood, though. After the deaths of the twelve Apostles, the authority to baptize was lost for hundreds of years.

The Lord never intended for it to be lost forever. When Joseph Smith was translating 3 Nephi 11, where it mentions, “Having authority given me of Jesus Christ…” he and his scribe, Oliver went to the banks of the Susquehanna river to ask the Lord for more information about this authority.

parson-aaronic-priesthood-2_hr An angel appeared to them both. He said he was John the Baptist, and laying his hands on their heads, he said, “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins…” (Doctrine & Covenants 13).

The priesthood authority for baptism has been passed down from the prophet Joseph through the laying on of hands ever since. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is today the only church with the power to authoritatively baptize anyone for the remission of sins. This is the reason we send missionaries all over the world, including to the doors of faithful Christians. We hope to take the preparation of the gospel they’ve received and supplement it with the restored priesthood power and revelations from a living prophet.

We make baptism available to any who desire it. Please contact your local missionaries to set up an authorized baptism for yourself and your family.

Repentance Before Baptism

Q. I am a non member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but looking into it. What is the belief Mormons have on becoming a member of the church: do you have to repent before you are baptized?

Yes, you do. The fourth article of faith states, “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Note that repentance is listed before baptism, although repentance must also be an ongoing, life-long process. Baptism itself is a sign that we have repented. It is a covenant that signifies that we have turned our lives around to become disciples of Christ.

dietaufe Individuals investigating the Church are taught by full-time missionaries the commandments God sets forth for his people. With that knowledge, they can begin a life of obedience to these commandments, which begins with repentance. When investigators repent and make changes to their lives, they show that they are ready to enter into the baptismal covenant with the Lord.

In Doctrine & Covenants 20:37 we read,

“And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.”

For further reference, see also the conversion of people in the Book of Mormon as described in Moroni 6.

The missionaries play a very important role in this entire process. Not only are they teachers, but they are guides in helping people to repent. Repentance involves more than changing one’s actions: an individual must plead with God in prayer for forgiveness and strength. The missionaries help with that as well: by directing, encouraging and supporting.

I would like to encourage anyone who needs help with repentance to contact the missionaries serving in your area.

Fundamentals of the Gospel

sermon Of all the many topics and teachings in the church, I have been most impressed with the simplicity and the all-encompassing power of the most fundamental points of the gospel. A month or two back, a post in this blog quoted the Articles of Faith as a summary of our beliefs and I would like to focus on the fourth: “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” These topics can be handled individually for specific treatment but I would like here just to cover them as they relate to each other and how they relate to personal life.

Faith is the beginning. It is by faith that we act. It is a belief in that which is not seen. A most basic but firm belief impels us to seek after the object of our faith. Faith centered in Christ compels us to believe in His existence, words, example, sacrifice and love. As in any true belief, faith causes one to act. I believe that what Christ taught can be applied for my benefit therefore I employ my ability to follow those teachings because I believe in Him. I can be improved by doing those things which he taught. If it is a true principle, then I will be blessed. Naturally, as I perceive the blessings, my faith will increase because I saw the effect of my decision to follow. Action increases faith and faith results in action, but decisions keep the cycle going.

Of course, there are always times when one fails to obey and distances himself from God. That distance does not have to be permanent. There is a manner for everyone to be reconciled with God through repentance. Denoting a change in thought and action, repentance is essentially the ability to change our lives from misery to happiness by relinquishing one’s grasp on harmful activities that damage the body and the spirit. It can be a harsh process, to be sure, to discard habits or control actions but it is at its very core a wonderful blessing allowing us to grow closer to God and thus become happier.

This heartfelt change of body and soul allows healing, forgiveness and growth. It is completed in baptism. As an external ordinance, baptism is a symbolic sign of our dedication to follow Christ. Complete immersion suggests to the mind the death and burial of our former sins followed by a rebirth and resurrection as a disciple of Christ, just as Christ also died and rose again on the third day. Here in baptism, a sacred covenant or promise is made with the Lord where receiving the Holy Ghost is conditional upon compliance to the promise.

By taking upon us the name of Christ, keeping His commandments, and always remembering Him, we fulfill our part and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost serves as our constant companion, guide, comforter, and purifier of the repentant soul. Wherein baptism washes us clean with water, the Holy Ghost purifies us as with fire and Christ mends our broken heart and soul.

This is a continual process of exercising our faith by repenting then qualifying for the covenant of baptism and the healing power of the Holy Ghost. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ in its specific sense, that all may come to Him and receive help. It is the manner of happiness that God intended for us and it is only possible through the power of the atonement and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

“And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.”
Doctrine and Covenants 14:7

What Do Mormons Believe? – Baptism

I met a man once who thought that baptism was a good idea, but not necessary for salvation. He suggested it was sufficient just to “believe in Jesus,” and you’ll be fine. And then there are some others who say that once you’re baptized you’re good to go (to heaven, that is).

Mere belief (which is a much smaller thing than faith), is like believing that a college can make you an attorney. It can. Your belief is right, but there’s still the matter of being accepted. Getting baptized, and baptized properly, is like the ACT or the SAT. And as any attorney can tell you, getting into college is not the same thing as getting out.

The purpose of college, like the purpose of life, is to emerge from the struggle a different, better person. Sure, you could theoretically learn everything a lawyer or a doctor knows through diligent, independent study at a local library. But there are at least two problems with this:

1) Do you really think you’ll study as hard if you never commit to it? Will you push yourself to learn the integumentary system if you aren’t in classes and there are no final exams?

2) Who will hire you? Your knowledge and experience may be high, but your sheepskin is still unofficial and unauthorized.

Now, this is just a simple analogy, but it helps get the point across. Baptism is a rebirth; a new starting point, and for most people it is the disposal of a sinful life in favor of one devoted to God and to godly living. It exhibits your commitment to Jesus Christ, both in His eyes and in yours.

jesusbaptized Just like in the SATs, you aren’t allowed to cheat, either. The exam must be proctored by a testing official appointed by the head of the testing organization. Similarly, baptism must be administered by a person who holds the authority to act in behalf of God. This is why people went to John the Baptist. He had the Levitical priesthood.

Baptism is a requirement for salvation. Consider the baptism of Jesus Himself. He was not turning from a life of sin, nor committing Himself to follow His own path. He had two reasons for doing it: 1) because it is a required step to salvation for all people and 2) to show us how important it is. (see Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 31:9)