Thursday, April 18, 2024

Discussion of the Form (Wording) of Baptism and the difference between Baptism into the Church and Baptism for health by the First Presidency (May 8, 1896)

  

In cases where people are baptized for their health, we see no impropriety in using the words “for the restoration of your health” in the ceremony. There is a difference between baptism for such a purpose and baptism for admission into the Church. One is an ordinance of salvation—the door provided by the Lord through which his children must enter into his Church, and become entitled to the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant; the other, while it may be termed in some respects an ordinance, is not imperative upon the members of the Church. If they have faith and believe, when they have some ailment, that the administration of baptism in that form will be beneficial to them, the privilege is granted to them. But there is a clear distinction between that form of baptism and the form of baptism which the Lord requires His children to obey to become members of His Church.” Signed by the First Presidency. (May 8, 1896: Journal History, in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951 [rev. ed.; Salt Lake City, 2020])