Mormons believe that baptism by proper priesthood authority into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an essential requirement for salvation. They perform baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and even baptize by proxy for those who have died without baptism.
Mormon Baptism as a Covenant
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints talk a lot about covenants. Covenants are two-way promises with God, where He promises blessings in return for obedience to certain commandments. God sets the terms for covenants, and people can choose to accept or reject them.
Baptism is the first covenant necessary for salvation. In baptism, people promise God that they will "take upon them the name of thy Son [Jesus Christ], and always remember him and keep his commandments." (D&C 20:17) In return, God promises eternal life to those who keep this covenant.
LDS Baptismal Interview
Making a covenant with God is obviously not to be taken lightly, so before baptism a priesthood leader conducts a baptismal interview to make sure the person understands what they are doing and is prepared to be baptized.
The baptismal interview begins with a prayer and includes these questions:
- Do you believe in God and Jesus Christ?
- Do you believe in the restoration of the gospel? Do you believe that the current LDS church president is a prophet of God?
- Do you feel that you have repented of serious past transgressions? (This includes crimes, abortions, and homosexual relationships.)
- Do you understand and are you willing to obey the law of chastity?
- Do you understand and are you willing to obey the law of tithing?
- Do you understand and are you willing to obey the word of wisdom?
- Do you understand and are you willing to keep the Sabbath day holy?
- Are you ready to make the covenant of baptism and strive to be faithful to it all your life?
An affirmative answer to all the above questions signals that the person is ready for baptism. If not, then they can continue to work on their individual spiritual preparation for baptism until they are ready.
Mormon Baptism Age
Though many other religions practice infant baptism, Mormons do not. They believe that little children and those without the necessary mental capacity to understand right and wrong do not need baptism for the remission of sins, because they are not capable of sin. They are saved by the virtue of Jesus Christ's atonement.
Modern revelation in the Doctrine & Covenants sets the age of accountability at eight years of age, meaning that this is the youngest age at which a person can be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
How Do Mormons Baptize?
Baptism is performed by immersion in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most church meetinghouses are equipped with indoor baptismal fonts, but an LDS baptism can also be done in a pond or river.
White is worn by the person being baptized and by the priesthood holder performing the baptism. A Mormon baptismal program includes talks, hymns, and prayers as well as the baptism.
Symbolism of LDS Baptism by Immersion
Baptism is a covenant and a commandment, but it is also symbolic of spiritual rebirth. The person goes down into the water, symbolizing death and burial, then comes up out of the water being "reborn."
Mormons also believe that baptism is for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. As a person comes up completely clean of sin from the water, symbolically their "garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb." (Book of Mormon, Alma 13:11)
Sacrament as a Renewal of Baptismal Covenants
"Sacrament" in the LDS church is what other religions call the communion or eucharist. After baptism, people are eligible to take the sacrament as a way to renew their baptismal covenants each week.
Mormons believe that making the covenant of baptism is the first step toward salvation. Baptism opens the gate, and if people are continually faithful for the rest of their lives after being baptized they are promised eternal life.
Sources:
- Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service. Salt Lake City: Intellectual Reserve, 2004.
- Doctrine & Covenants, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Intellectual Reserve, 1981.
- Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Salt Lake City: Intellectual Reserve, 1981.
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