BAPTISM (Teachings of Joseph Smith)

Baptism Is a Prepatory Ordinance before the Holy Ghost Can Be Administered — Wilford Woodruff Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)

Baptism

Is a Holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost; It is the Channel & Key by which the Holy Ghost will be administered. The gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands cannot be received through the medium of any other principle than the principle of righteousness for if the proposals are not complied with it is of no use but withdraws

Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 2 July 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, pp. 27-28, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Baptism Is a Prepatory Ordinance before the Holy Ghost Can Be Administered — Willard Richards Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)

Baptism

Is a holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost. It is the channel & Key by which the Holy Ghost will be administerd

The gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands cannot be recived through the medium of any other principle, than the principle of Righteousness, for if the proposals are not complied with. it is of no use but withdraws.

Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 2 July 1839, as Reported by Willard Richards, p. 16, The Joseph Smith Papers; underline in original.

Baptism Is a Sign and Ordinance — Wilford Woodruff Account (March 20, 1842)

“My intention (says the speaker) was to have treated upon the subject of Baptism, But having a case of death before, us I thought it proper to refer to that subject, I will now however say a few words upon Baptism as intended God has made certain decreas which are fixed & unalterable for instance God has set the sun, the moon, the stars in the heavens, & given them their laws conditions, & bounds which they cannot pass except by his command, they all move in perfect harmony in there sphere & order & are as wonders, lights & signs unto us, The sea also has its bounds which it cannot pass God has set many signs in the earth as well as in heaven for instance the oaks of the forest, the fruit of the tree, the herd of the field all bear a sign that seed hath been planted there, for it is a decree of the Lord that evry tree fruit or herb bearing seed, should bring forth after its kind & cannot come forth after any other law or principle. upon the same principle do I contend that Baptism is a sign, ordained of God for the believer in Christ to take upon himself in order to enter into the kingdom of God, “for except you are born of the water & the spirit you cannot enter into the kingdom of God,” Saith the Savior, as It is a sign of command which God hath set for man to enter into this those who seek to enter in any other way will seek in vain, for God will not receive those neither will the angels acknowledge their works as accepted, for they have not taken upon themselves those ordinances & signs which God ordained for man to receive . . . Baptism is a sign to God to Angels to heaven that we do the will of God & their is no other way beneath the heavens whareby God hath ordained for man to come & any other cource is in vain. God hath decreed & ordained that man should repent of all his sins & Be Baptized for the remission of his sins then he can come to God in the name of Jesus Christ in faith then we have the promise of the Holy Ghost[.]

. . . their is certain key words & signs belonging to the priesthood which much be observed in order to obtaine the Blessings

Discourse, 20 March 1842, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, pp. 135-137, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Baptism Is a Sign and Ordinance — Times & Seasons Account (March 20, 1842)

My intention was, to have spoken upon the subject of baptism, but having a case of death before us I thought proper to refer to that subject. I will now however say a few words upon baptism, as I intended. God has made certain decreees which are fixed, and immovable, for instance; God set the sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens; and gave them their laws, conditions, and bounds which they cannot pass, except by his commandments; they all move in perfect harmony in their sphere, and order, and are as lights, wonders, and signs unto us. The sea also has its bounds which it cannot pass. God has set many signs on the earth, as well as in the heavens, for instance; the oak of the forest, the fruit of the tree, the herb of the field; all bear a sign that seed hath been planted there; for it is a decree of the Lord that every tree, plant, and herb, bearing seed, should bring forth of its kind, and cannot come forth after any other law, or principle. Upon the same principle do I contend that baptism is a sign ordained of God, for the believer in Christ to take upon himself in order to enter into the kingdom of God, “for except ye are born of water, and of the spirit ye cannot enter into the kingdom of God,” saith the Saviour. It is a sign, and commandment which God has set for man to enter into his Kingdom. Those who seek to enter in any other way will seek in vain; and God will not receive them, neither will the angels acknowledge their works as accepted: for they have not obeyed the ordinances . . .

Baptism is a sign to God, to Angels, and to heaven that we do the will of God: and there is no other way beneath the heavens whereby God hath ordained for man to come to him, to be saved, and enter into the kingdom of God, except faith in Jesus Christ; repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins, and any other course is in vain . . .

There are certain key-words, and signs belonging to the priesthood, which must be observed in order to obtain the blessing, the sign of Peter was to repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins, with the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost: and in no other way is the gift of the Holy Ghost obtained. There is a difference between the Holy Ghost, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before he was baptized; which was the convincing power of God unto him of the truth of the gospel; but he could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized. Had he not taken this sign, or ordinance upon him, the Holy Ghost which convinced him of the truth of God, would have left him. Until he obeyed these ordinances and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands, according to the order of God, he could not have healed the sick, or commanded an evil spirit to come out of a man, and it obey him; for the spirits might say unto him, as they did to the sons of Sceva;—‘Paul we know; and Jesus we know, but who are ye!’ It mattereth not whether we live long or short on the earth after we come to a knowledge of these principles and obey them unto the end. I know that all men will be damned if they do not come in the way which he hath opened; and this is the way marked out by the word of the Lord.

The sign of Peter was, to repent & be baptized for the remission of Sins, with the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost & in no other way is the gift of the Holy Ghost obtained, Their is a difference between the Holy Ghost & the gift of the Holy Ghost, Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before he was Baptized which was the convincing power of God unto him of the truth of the gospel, but he could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost untill after he was Baptized, & had he not taken this sign or ordinances upon him the Holy Ghost which convinced him of the truth of God would have left him, untill he obeyed these ordinances & received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands according to the order of God he could not have healed the sick or commanded an evil spirit to come out of a man & it obey him for the spirit might say to him as he did to the sons of Scava, Peter I know & Christ I know but who are ye

It mattereth not whither we live long or short after we come to a knowledge of these principles & obey them, I know that all men will be damned if they do not come in the way which God has appointed

Times and Seasons, 15 April 1842, pp. 751-752, The Joseph Smith Papers. There is additional context and information about the connection between baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost on p. 752.

Baptism for the dead a likeness of death and the resurrection (September 11, 1842)

The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immers’d therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other to be immers’d in the water, and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves: hence, this ordinance was instituted to form a relationship with the ordinance of baptism for the dead; being in likeness of the dead. Consequently, the baptismal Font was instituted as a simile of the grave, and was commanded to be in a place underneath where the living are wont to assemble, to show forth the living and the dead; and that all things may have their likeness, and that they may accord one with another; that which is earthly, conforming to that which is heavenly, as Paul hath declar’d 1st Corinthians, Chap. 15, verses 46, 47 & 48. “Howbeit, that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural, and afterward, that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man, is the Lord from heaven.

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly:[”] And as are the records on the earth in relation to your dead, which are truly made out; so also are the records in heaven. This, therefore, is the sealing and binding power; and in one sense of the word the keys of the kingdom, which consists in the key of knowledge.

And now my dearly and beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure me that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living; that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation; for their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation; as Paul says concerning the fathers, “That they without us, cannot be made perfect”; neither can we without our dead, be made perfect. And now, in relation to the baptism for the dead; I will give you another quotation of Paul, 1 Cor. 15 chap. verse 29 “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?” And again in connexion with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, which had his eye fix’d on the restoration of the Priesthood— the glories to be reveal’d in the last days, and in an especial manner, this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting Gospel, viz. the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chap.— verses 5 & 6. “Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and terrible dreadful day of the Lord; And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse”. I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose, as it stands, It is sufficient to know in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse, unless there is a welding link of some kind or other, between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other. And behold! what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them, cannot be made perfect; neither can they, without us, be made perfect. Neither can they or us, be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times; which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole, and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations and keys, and powers and glories should take place, and be reveal’d, from the days of Adam even to the present time; and not only this, but those things that never have been reveal’d from the foundation of the world; but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent; shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings, in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.

Journal, December 1841–December 1842, pp. 198-199, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Baptism by Immersion for a Remission of Sins (July 9, 1843)

Baptism is for remission of sins.— childrn have no sins— he Jesus​ blessed them— do what you have seen me do— all made alive in christ. faith & repentance.— we are agreed.— baptism. yes by imme[r]sion. the Hebrew is the root. to bury immerse—— Do you believe this no.— I believe in being converted.—— I believe in this tenaciously

Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 2, 10 March 1843–14 July 1843, p. 303, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Baptism Always Followed by Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost — James Burgess (March 10, 1844)

Philip was clothed with the power of Elias when he went to samaria he could babtise for remission of sins, but could not lay on hands for the gift of the holy ghost, but sent for Peter and John who had the power of Eligah &c Acts 19 chap Paul when he came to Corinth found certain diciples and asked them if they had received the holy ghost since they bleived [believed], and they said we have not so much as heard of the holy ghost and with what surprise says he unto them, unto what were you babtised and they said unto Johns babtism, not so not so my friends if you had you would have heard of the holy ghost, but you have been duped by some designing knave who has come in the name of John an imposture, how do you know it Paul why John verilly babtised with water unto repentance always telling the people that they should beleive on him that should come after him, he would babtise with fire and with the holy ghost, Johns babtism stood good but these had been babtised by some imposture.

Discourse, 10 March 1844, as Reported by James Burgess, pp. 20-21, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Baptism by Water, Fire, and the Holy Ghost — Thomas Bullock Account (April 7, 1844)

the Baptism of Water witht. the Baptism of Fire & the H G. attending it are necy he must be born of Water & Sp in order to get into the K of God— in the German text bears me out same as the revn. which I have given for the 14 years— I have the test to put in their teeth that my test has been true all the time you will find it in the declaration of John the Baptist (reads from the German) John says I baptize you with Water but when J comes who has the power he shall administer the bap of F & the H. G. Great. God now where is all the Sect. [sectarian] world— & if this est [testimony] is true they are all d——d as clearly as any Anathama ever was— I know the text is true— I call upon all to say I— (shouts of I) Alexander Campbell— how are you going to save them with water— for John sd. his bapm. was nothing witht the bap of J. C. One God, Far., Jesus, hope of, our Calling, one baptism— all three bap make one I have the truth & I am at the defiance of the world to contradict . . .

Discourse, 7 April 1844, as Reported by Thomas Bullock, p. 21, The Joseph Smith Papers. The quote above comes from Thomas Bullock’s account of the King Follett discourse.

Baptism by Water, Fire, and the Holy Ghost — Willard Richards Account (April 7, 1844)

Baptism of water fire & Holy Ghost. are insepa[r]ably— connected.— found in the German Bible to prove what I have taught for 14 years abut baptism.— I baptize you with— water. but when Jesus comes having the keys— he shall baptize you with th baptisms of fire & Holy ghost.——

Leaving the principles of doctrin of baptism &c— one god. one baptim— &c one baptim— I.E. all three—

Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 4, 1 March–22 June 1844, p. 71, The Joseph Smith Papers. The quote above comes from Willard Richard’s account of the King Follett discourse.

Baptism by Water, Fire, and the Holy Ghost — Wilford Woodruff Account (April 7, 1844)

I will leave this subject here and make a few remarks upon Baptism, I will read a tex[t] in Jerman upon Baptism, John says I Baptise you with water But when Jesus Christ comes He shall administer the baptism of fire & the Holy Ghost, John said his baptism was good for nothing without the Baptism of Jesus Christ, Many talk of any baptism not being essential to salvation but this would lay the foundation of their damnation . . .

Discourse, 7 April 1844, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, p. 140, The Joseph Smith Papers. The quote above comes from Wilford Woodruff’s account of the King Follett discourse.