Baptism in Mormonism

Mormonism emphasizes the importance of baptism. The fourth Article of Faith, authored by Joseph Smith, states that Mormons "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."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) practices baptism by complete immersion in water. This is symbolic of a death and burial of the carnal person, and a rebirth of the person as a disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of His Church. Like many Christians, Mormons believe that a person who repents and is baptized has all prior sins remitted. He or she is utterly cleansed and looks on the rite as a beginning of life afresh.

After receiving baptism Mormons are granted the gift of the Holy Ghost. Unlike the merely occasional power of the Holy Ghost, felt, for example, by people when they are earnestly investigating the Church, the gift of the Holy Ghost is more permanent. As Joseph Smith wrote, it is bestowed by the laying on of hands upon the head of the recipient. A special blessing is pronounced, and the person thereafter has the continual companionship of God's Spirit to direct, warn, and comfort him or her. If the person sins, the Holy Ghost departs. But when the person repents and strives to be righteous and worthy and receptive, the Holy Ghost can provide great blessings of understanding, protection, and peace.

In the Mormon Church, baptism is never performed before a person's eighth birthday. The age of eight was given in modern-day revelation (see Doctrine and Covenants 68:27) as the age when children become accountable for their sins, meaning that they are able to independently discern between right and wrong and have personal responsibility for their conduct. For those of sufficient age who are yet unable to discern between right and wrong (because of a condition such as severe mental impairment) there is no accountability for sins and, therefore, no requirement of baptism. Such are viewed as fully saved through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, as are all babies and children who die before eight. In this light the Book of Mormon specifically forbids the practice of infant baptism, maintaining that it is "solemn mockery before God." (See Moroni 8:4-23.)

Although Jesus Himself was perfect, the Book of Mormon teaches that He was baptized to show that "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). Small children are not capable of making such a commitment, so again, they have no need of baptism.

Baptism is only recognized as valid when it is performed by someone holding the proper authority, imbued in the office of Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood or a higher office. Mormonism's claim to being the true gospel of Jesus Christ is maintained primarily on the basis of divinely given authority (the priesthood) and continuing revelation.

Similar to the beliefs of many Christian denominations, Mormons hold that baptism is a prerequisite to entering the kingdom of God in the hereafter. This belief presents a problem, however, for the millions of people who have lived and died without the opportunity to ever hear of Jesus Christ, let alone have the chance to be baptized. For this reason, Mormons believe in the ordinance of performing baptisms on behalf of those who have died. This work is done only in Mormon temples and is performed by someone acting as proxy for a deceased person. Mormons believe that such an ordinance, known as baptism for the dead, is only of value to the deceased when that person accepts the work done in his or her behalf. If the ordinance is indeed accepted, the person will be able to enter the kingdom of God just as if he or she had had the opportunity to be taught and baptized while living on earth.

Mormons are not perfect. Even after baptism they continue to make mistakes (though hopefully to a lesser degree and frequency). Sometimes Mormons feel they are no longer living up to the discipleship of Christ which they began at baptism, and they might express with some frustration, "If only I could have another baptism and start again!" Such a provision is granted in the gospel of Christ-not in the form of a second baptism, but rather in the administration of the sacrament (or sanctified bread and water, symbols of Christ's body and blood). This special weekly ordinance is held worldwide in Mormon chapels, and it is a divinely generous opportunity for Mormons to renew the very covenants they made at baptism. Although some Mormons may not realize it, this truly includes the chance to come away feeling totally forgiven and perfectly cleansed of all the missteps of the previous week, just like a baptism. The Lord in His goodness and wisdom has seen fit to teach us this practice as a powerful safeguard against wickedness. The feeling of being purified on a weekly basis can be very motivating in avoiding sin, especially serious transgressions. Like a balloon bobbing in the air, being gently, frequently nudged upward by a person's hand to keep from falling, so a human life will likely fall only into minor mistakes before the week ends and a new sacrament service helps the person rise again. When people, on the other hand, ignorantly believe that they are stuck with their sins from years past, despair sets in, as does a resigned justification for further sins.

It is no surprise, then, that priests in the Mormon Church hold not only the authority to baptize individuals for the remission of sins, but also the authority to bless the sacrament, in essence a weekly maintenance of the remission of sins.

How wonderful are our Lord God and our Savior! Through the restored gospel of Christ, embodied in Mormonism, we feel great hope. Through baptism and the sacrament, we enter the straight path and stay on its narrow course, lovingly guided forward by the Holy Ghost.