Mormonism teaches that baptism is the gateway to salvation. After faith and repentance, baptism is the next step, and the first ordinance, in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded His apostles to teach and baptize all nations. Mormonism sends thousands of missionaries throughout the world in order to fulfill this command.
We must be baptized for several reasons. Baptism follows faith and repentance, which is demonstrated to the church through an interview with a Mormon Bishop or Mormon missionary, and it is through this ordinance that we receive a remission of sins. When the repentance process is complete, the ordinance of baptism washes away all sin. We are also baptized to become members of the Church of Jesus Christ. All members of the Mormon Church have been baptized. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) is the Lord’s kingdom on earth, established for those who have joined the kingdom through baptism to live as a community. The Savior commanded His disciples to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that need comfort, to serve each other, and to love each other within the community of the Saints. Baptism is also a prerequisite to receiving the Holy Ghost. In order to be clean and worthy for the Holy Ghost to dwell with us we must first have our sins washed away in the waters of baptism. This also shows our obedience to the Lord’s commandments. Jesus commanded us to be baptized in His name. Obedience to this commandment shows that we have faith and want to follow Christ. This helps us retain a remission of our sins. Mormons believe that the highest of all the kingdoms of heaven is the Celestial Kingdom. Baptism is the only way we may enter into this kingdom.
There is also a correct method of baptism. Mormon baptism is done only by a person having priesthood authority to baptize. This priesthood line of authority can be traced back through the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. The person being baptized enters the water with the priesthood holder, who says the baptismal prayer and immerses him or her in the water and brings him out. Immersion is necessary for Mormon baptism, and if any part of the body or clothing of the person is not completely immersed, the baptism must be performed again. Most Mormon churches have an indoor font for performing baptisms. If there is not one available, a river, lake, or ocean may be used as long as the water is deep enough. Immersion is symbolic of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and for that reason, baptisms are performed in bodies of water that are below ground level.
Mormonism teaches that the age of accountability is eight. Every person at least this age must be baptized to receive forgiveness of sins. Mormons do not baptize infants. Children of Mormon families are interviewed by their Bishop at eight years-old and then baptized. Converts to the Mormon Church have been taught and interviewed by Mormon missionaries who baptize them.
Mormonism teaches that baptism is more than just a symbol of one’s desire to follow Christ. When we are baptized we make covenants with God, and He promises us blessings when we obey. We covenant to come into the fold of God (join His church), bear one another’s burdens, stand as a witness of God at all times everywhere, and serve God and keep His commandments. God promises to forgive our sins, give us the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost, let us come forth in the First Resurrection, and give us eternal life.
Mormon baptism is the beginning of a new life for a person. The old, sinful life is buried in the water and a new person is born into the kingdom of God. That person is now a member of God’s kingdom on earth, the Mormon Church, and has made covenants that promise eternal life through obedience.