LDS Beliefs

References

* JST= Joseph Smith Translation

** From the Book of Mormon

++ LDS Scripture given through Joseph Smith and other prophets

## (In the Pearl of Great Price)

First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel

Baptism

Jesus Christ taught that we must be baptized by immersion. He set the example Himself by being baptized to “fulfill all righteousness”.

(Matthew 3:13-17)

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill 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.

We are baptized for the remission of sins.

(Acts 2:38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(Acts 22:16) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

We are also baptized to become members of the Church of Jesus Christ, and to enter the kingdom of God

(John 3:5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Through the ordinance of baptism, we make a promise, called a covenant, with God. We promise to accept Christ, to become His followers, and to keep His commandments to the end of our lives. In return, our Heavenly Father promises to forgive our sins and let us return to live with Him, provided we keep our covenants. http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,859-1,00.html

The baptism is performed by one who has priesthood authority, in a font or other body of water large enough to completely immerse the individual. Both the person being baptized and the individual performing the ordinance are dressed in white, as a symbol of the purity that comes through a remission of sins.

After receiving baptism the newly baptized person is confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receives the gift of the Holy Ghost. Typically, this ordinance is performed in a Sacrament Meeting held a few days after the baptismal service. During that meeting, the newly baptized individual is invited to the front of the congregation. The person sits in a chair, while one or more priesthood holders lay their hands on his or her head and perform this ordinance. http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1574-1,00.html

Age of baptism

At the age of 8 a person is considered accountable for their own actions and can then be baptized. We do not baptize babies or anyone younger than 8 years old.

** (Moroni 8: 5-12)

5 For, if I have learned the truth, there have been disputations among you concerning the baptism of your little children.

6 And now, my son, I desire that ye should labor diligently, that this gross error should be removed from among you; for, for this intent I have written this epistle.

7 For immediately after I had learned these things of you I inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. And the word of the Lord came to me by the power of the Holy Ghost, saying:

8 Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me.

9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children.

10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.

11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.

12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!

++ (Doctrine and Covenants 68: 25)

25 And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

26 For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized.

27 And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.

Faith in Jesus Christ

Repentance (and forgiveness)

Baptism

Gift of the Holy Ghost

References: mormon.org | Articles of Faith | lds.org | scriptures.lds.org