Writing in 1839, convert-turned-critic John Corrill wrote the following, showing the early Latter-day Saint belief in baptismal regeneration:
The morality and
effects of the new religion.
I found that the Book
of Mormon taught all the morality, piety, virtue, honesty, righteousness and
Godliness that the Bible did, and even condemned the whoredoms of David,
Solomon and others, and strictly enjoined family and secret prayer, and too, in
great faith, that our prayers may be answered; and, in order to be admitted
into the Church a person must manifest faith in Christ, and a hearty repentance
of their sins. Baptism, by immersion, they believed was for the remission of
sins; and the laying on of lands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, they think
will be attended with signs following, just in proportion to the faith and
righteousness of the believer. (John Corrill, A Brief History of the Church
of Christ of Latter Day Saints (Commonly Called Mormons Including an Account of
Their Doctrine and Discipline, with the Reasons of the Author for Leaving the
Church) [St. Louis, n.p., 1839], 16)
Christ's baptism is NOT imputed to the believer
J. Paul Sampley on Baptismal Regeneration and Ephesians 5:25-27
For a response to Rom 10:9-10, a text often used by Protestants as a "rag doll" for their biblical eisegesis, see:
Full Refutation of the Protestant Claim Romans 10:9-10 Teaches Sola Fide
