Sadly in the Church, there is a lot of “quickie baptisms” performed by missionaries who, along with their mission presidents, simply want another “notch” on their belt. I have seen this all too often even here in Ireland, and it is a cancer that has permeated the Church. Notwithstanding, this is opposed to the teachings of the Church. In a letter dated June 19, 1998, the First Presidency addressed some of the prerequisites to baptism:
Before baptism, each individual must acquire a sufficient foundation of faith and understanding to remain faithful as a member. Conversion includes faith, study, prayer, and obedience to new truths. Then the Holy Ghost will provide a confirming testimony. That strengthens faith, leading to full repentance and further obedience evidenced by increased righteous living. When scriptural requirements are met, an individual can take upon himself or herself the name of Jesus Christ and be baptized into His Church. With continuing support from members and missionaries, the new member grows in faith, obedience, and service until he or she can receive the temple ordinances.
Baptism: Qualifications for baptism are prescribed in Doctrine and Covenants 20:37: ‘And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.’
In addition, before baptism each investigator should have been taught all of the missionary discussions, attended a sacrament meeting, met the bishop or branch president, felt a unity with Church members, and committed to keep the commandments . ..
Worthiness:
‘And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it; For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul; therefore it ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood ye shall forbid him. Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out from among you, but ye shall minister unto him and shall pray for him unto the Father, in my name; and if it so be that he repenteth and it baptized in my name, then shall ye receive him, and shall minister unto him of my flesh and blood’ (3 Nephi 18:28-30). (taken from Mark A. Smith, Sr. Only Repentance [Salt Lake City: Eborn Books, 2003], 438-39)
Would that more members, missionaries, and mission presidents would take heed to the First Presidency on this important issue.
