“All Latter-day Saints enter the new and everlasting covenant when they enter this Church. They covenant to cease sustaining, upholding and cherishing the kingdom of the Devil and the kingdoms of this world. They enter the new and everlasting covenant to sustain the Kingdom of God and no other kingdom. They take a vow of the most solemn kind, before the heavens and earth, … that they will sustain truth and righteousness instead of wickedness and falsehood, and build up the Kingdom of God, instead of the kingdoms of this world”
-Brigham Young
“I propose that we should never start teaching about baptism until we have the end in mind. What’s the end? Eternal life.”
-Elder Don Clarke
References:
- D&C 20:37
- 2 Nephi 9:23; 31:4–13
- Mosiah 18:8–10
- Alma 7:14–15
- 3 Nephi 27:13–21
- Moroni 6:1–4
- Moroni 8:25–26
- D&C 22
WHO IS QUALIFIED FOR BAPTISM?
- Those who humble themselves before God
- Those who desire to be baptized
- Those who come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits
- Those who repent of all their sins
- Those willing to take upon themselves the name of Christ
- Those determined to serve Christ until the end
- Those who manifest by their works that they have received the Spirit of Christ
- First Presidency parameters:
- Make sufficient changes in their lives as outlined in D&C20:37
- Develop a faith in Christ
- Repent of transgressions
- Live principles of moral worthiness
- Live the Word of Wisdom
- Commit to pay tithing
- Receive all missionary lessons
- Meet the bishop/branch president
- Attend several sacrament meetings
THE BAPTISMAL INTERVIEW
Purpose: The purpose of the interview is to determine if they meet the qualifications for baptism. Whereas all people require baptism for their salvation, allowing someone to be baptized before they are spiritually ready to commit to the Gospel, or before they have a true testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored church, can be detrimental to their progress.
How to conduct: see Preach My Gospel, Chapter 12. Other interviewing skills include:
- Take time to get to know the person; don't dive right into the required questions.
- Ask open-ended questions (as applicable)
- Allow for a conversation-style, but don't lose control
- Listen, and listen CLOSELY. Help to resolve concerns as they come up
- It's okay to say that the candidate is not yet ready.
- Reference: http://www.forbes.com/sites/shelisrael/2012/04/14/8-tips-on-conducting-great-interviews/
CONDUCTING THE BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION
Don't make this harder than it needs to be. The most important things are to coordinate the effort with the ward/branch through the Ward Mission Leader, and to explain the process to the investigator so that he/she has a clear understanding of what to expect.
EXTRA STUDY:
Read the talk by Elder Robert D. Hales, The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom
- "When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His name is one of the most significant experiences we have in life. Yet sometimes we pass through that experience without having a full understanding.How many of our children—how many of us—really understand that when we were baptized we took upon us not only the name of Christ but also the law of obedience?"
- "By choosing to be in His kingdom, we separate—not isolate—ourselves from the world. Our dress will be modest, our thoughts pure, our language clean. The movies and television we watch, the music we listen to, the books, magazines, and newspapers we read will be uplifting. We will choose friends who encourage our eternal goals, and we will treat others with kindness. We will shun the vices of immorality, gambling, tobacco, liquor, and illicit drugs. Our Sunday activities will reflect the commandment of God to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. We will follow the example of Jesus Christ in the way we treat others. We will live to be worthy to enter the house of the Lord."
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