I’ve been meaning to write about this for some time, it was a special day for our family… Sunday evening (18th May 2008), our Elena was Baptised by myself, here both of us dressed in white with Andria (mum), symbolic of the purity of Baptism. It was a very special day for Elena.

Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (sometimes incorrectly called the “Mormon Church”) is very important to our family, our faith sustains us, much of what we do revolves around our faith.

We know that baptism by immersion is part of the vital process of following Jesus Christ and entering into a covenant relationship with Him. We’ve taught each of our children about their decision to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

We’re taught that baptism must be performed by one who has proper authority from God for this sacred ordinance. Naturally, there are many other views and many questions that people ask about our beliefs in this regard.

I realise that some groups claim that baptism is not essential, assuming that faith alone is the requirement for salvation. The broad issue of the relationship between faith, grace, works, and salvation I’ll not get into here, my friend Jeff Lindsay wrote an excellent summary of those issues on his faith and works page.

So why did Elena get baptised at age 8 and why by me? By what Authority?

The Bible teaches the importance and even necessity of baptism, we also have 13 Articles of Faith, the fourth stating:

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.

Let us first consider the example of Christ, who showed us how to live and how to follow Him. As he began His ministry, He sought out the prophet and messenger of the Messiah, John the Baptist. John was teaching men to repent of their sins and to be baptized by immersion (that’s what the Greek word means) in “water unto repentance” (Matt. 3: 2,11), or, in the words of Mark, John preached “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). Though Christ was the Son of God, pure, holy, and without sin, He came to John and asked to be baptized (see Matt. 3: 13-17). John refused, knowing who Christ was, but Christ explained that it was necessary “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3: 15). Then John baptized Christ in the river Jordan – apparently by immersion, for then Christ “went up straightway out of the water.” It was at this moment where the Holy Ghost descended in the form of a dove and the voice of God the Father spoke from above saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

This is the same manner in which our Elena was baptised by myself, by immersion.

Infant Baptism

In mainstream religions – Baptising a baby is often viewed as very special event in the lives of young parents. Grandparents come to witness the special occasion. A white baptismal dress is purchased for the baby. Photographs are taken. The little child, often crying and unaware of what is happening, is sprinkled with water by a robed priest or clergyman at the church house. Parents hug. Grandparents smile with pride. The little baptismal dress is stored away as a memento. Some of you who are reading this article may have been baptised as a baby. It is a very common practice. The term “christened” often refers to infant baptism. Why are babies baptised and what do the Scriptures teach about such things?

Actually, there are two different reasons why some believe babies ought to be baptised:

The Catholic view is based upon the idea that babies are born in sin. Pope Clement IV declared in 1267, that infants who die without baptism die in their original sins and are excluded from the vision of God. The doctrine of “Limbo,” the intermediate state between the suffering in hell and the glory of heaven, was developed to satisfy grieving mothers whose children died without baptism. For Catholics, infant baptism is a matter of salvation. There are some non-Catholic groups that practice infant baptism for this same reason. They have accepted the idea of inherited sin and this is a natural conclusion that comes from believing that.

The Protestant view differs from the Catholic view. To most Protestants, infant baptism is not seen as a matter of salvation. Generally, Protestants believe in salvation by faith only and would not accept baptism as necessary for salvation. Yet many of them will baptize their babies. Instead of baptising the baby for the remission of sins, as the Catholics do, Protestant’s baptise babies as a promise that the parents will raise the child in a godly home and bring the child to church services. Infant baptism is viewed as a sign or a pledge made by the parents to the child.

Latter-Day Saint view – I ought to point out that some other faiths not just us ‘Mormons’ such as most Baptists, and the Seventh-day Adventist do not practice infant baptism either. We feel the Scriptures are quite clear on this matter.

Moroni 8: 9-15
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!
13. Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell.
14. Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell.
15. For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.

Let’s be clear – Babies are not sinners! They are incapable of sin. They cannot be held accountable.

Moroni 8: 9-15
19. Little achildren cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy.
20. And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we baptise children not before the age of 8 years old, this being when a child can be held accountable since they are capable of knowing right from wrong by this age. In the New Testament, the only indication of this age of accountablility is recorded in 1 Peter 3: 18-21. These few verses describe following Christ’s crucifixtion on the cross his body now lay for three days in the Tomb, but his spirit went and preached to those spirits who had been waiting since the days of Noah. I find it interesting how the scripture references to those who were saved from the Great Flood in the Ark – “eight souls were saved by water”, these being Noah, his wife and their three sons and wives.

More improtantly the following sentence, which says…. referencing the age or number 8… “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.”

19. By which also he went and preached unto the bspirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.

Within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we have additional other revelation through living Prophets and the Book of Mormon both which support this teaching.

So that’s my rant on Infant Baptism! I don’t mean to offend anyone, but looking at our six childen I know that little children are pure before God and for me saying a baby or child who dies without baptism is going to ‘Hell’ really doesn’t make sense!

I’m grateful for the knowledge and restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here the testimony of others who have been baptised into this Gospel and what motivates us to share it.

Your friend, John Deighton
My other web site!