Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. on Water Baptism, not Confirmation, being the Instrumental Means of Initial Remission of Sins


Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., writing on the topic of soteriology, discussed the salvific efficacy of water baptism:

Baptism is essential to salvation and exaltation for the following reasons:

1. It is the means by which the repentant individual obtain remission of sins. (Mar 1:4; Luke 3:3)

2. It admits the repentant person to membership in the Church and kingdom of God on earth. (D. & C. 20:37; Matt. 7:13-14)

3. It is the means whereby personal sanctification may be obtained through reception of the Holy Ghost. (3 Nephi 27:20)

4. It is the gateway to the celestial kingdom. (John 3:1-11; 2 Nephi 9:23-24) Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. Religious Truths Defined: A Comparison of Religious Faiths with the Restored Gospel [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1959], 287)

Notice that, according to Smith, water baptism and not confirmation is the instrumental means of receiving a remission of sins; instead, confirmation is the beginning of progressive sanctification.

Interestingly, such also supports justification being transformative, as, through the instrumental means of water baptism, God cleanses us (which is not a mere declaration; it is a transformation) and makes (not simply declares) us to be righteous/justified and such a transformation is separate from the process of sanctification.