Saturday, July 10, 2021

Joseph Fielding (August 1840) on Allowances for the Mode/Manner of Baptism


Question 2nd.—In baptizing, suppose I should fail to cover the person, say his hands or his face were not covered, would this neglect be censurable on my part? and how far might I go in such neglect, and yet the ordinance be accepted of God, and the design of it be answered?

 

Answer.—If neglect arose through carelessness, you would be highly censurable; but if, from scarcity of water, as is sometimes the case, or from some exertion or unusual action of the candidate, or a slipping of your own food, &c., &c., you might not be censurable. God acts upon reasonable principles; and as the ordinance is “not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the water of a good conscience,” God would accept the offering, should such a casualty occur; but we say to all Elders and Priests, see to it that you bury those who offer themselves for baptism, and thus cut off all occasion for observations on this point. (Joseph Fielding, “Questions And Answers,” in The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 1, no. 4 [August, 1840]:94)