Baptism in BoM Days

[Justice]

The recent thread about baptism reminded me of something I read last week. I was wondering what you thought of it. It seems they had different qualifications for baptism, or more strict enforcement anyway, and that they viewed baptism a little more importanly than we do today.

Moroni 6:

1 And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.

2 Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins.

3 And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.

4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

At first reading it sounds much like what we do today. But, there are some key phrases in these verses that seem to be saying something different than how we view baptism today. Starting with the first line that says they baptized elders, priests, and teachers, when today men or boys are baptized and then receive the priesthood afterward. There are more "apparent" differences, see if you can see them.

And, if you really are curious, the rest of the chapter seems to have differences also. Here are the remaining verses of the chapter for convenience for those who are curious.

5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.

6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.

7 And they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them; and whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the elders, and if they repented not, and confessed not, their names were blotted out, and they were not numbered among the people of Christ.

8 But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven.

9 And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.

[Justice]

Did anyone find it odd they seemed to ordain to the Priesthood before they baptized?

[Drac]

Joseph Smith received the priesthood befoe being baptized too. No reason he couldn't have been baptized by a resurrected being and then received the priesthood is there? That is very interesting.

From its wording it seems to me that it could just mean that Elders, Priests and Teachers had been baptized, as in they were baptized before they were Elders/Teachers/Priests. That is probably how I thought of it when reading it before.

Edited February 3, 2010 by Drac

[RipplecutBuddha]

They recieved the priesthood before being baptized because baptizms MUST be performed by the proper authority...however nowhere does it say that a priesthood holder MUST already be baptized. At the time in the BoM, there were no resurrected beings, as Christ had not yet come to the earth, so this way was the only way it could be done.

As for Joseph Smith, the reason he recieved the priesthood then was baptized are still the same. Despite John the Baptist being present, he likely did not perform the baptism because he didn't need to. He gave Joseph and Oliver the authority to do it themselves.

[Justice]

I assume Mormon's authority was a continuation of when Christ gave it them.

[Drac]

I assume Mormon's authority was a continuation of when Christ gave it them.

Me too.

By Moroni chapter 6 it had been over 350 years since Jesus was resurrected and visited the temple in the Americas. While he visited he chose 12 disciples and

Chapters 4 and 5 speak of the Elders and Priests administering the sacrament. Seems odd for them to administer the sacrament before being baptized. I suppose it's possible though.

Edited February 3, 2010 by Drac

[Justice]

The period of time during 4th Nephi is amazing to think about. It was around 175 years (give or take one or two) of continual peace and righteousness. I find it odd that's the least talked about period of time during the Nephite history. That's one of the time periods I'm looking forward to reading about when more of their history is revealed.

[RipplecutBuddha]

Just a guess, but maybe it's because we needed to see what went wrong, and why, more than we need to see how things are when everything goes right.

The scriptures abound in the promises and blessings given to the righteous, but I think there is much more weight given to them because of the examples we see in the BoM of what it's like when things fall apart, and when unrighteousness prevails. As good and as wonderful as it must have been to live in the City of Enoch, or during the period of righteousenss among the Nephites and Lamanites, the full seriousness of the decisions we are facing today come out in the sad and disturbing stories that we have when evil is in control.

We can't afford to forget how real the battle is between good and evil, and I think we need to see the whole thing.

I'd also like to read the more detailed accounts of those years, don't get me wrong...I just am not sure we've done all we can do with what we've been given so far.

[Drac]

That is kind of funny how much detail is given when everyone is wicked and the parts where everyone is super righteous are so short. However, we do know that Mormon and Moroni compiled the stories they did because they saw our day and included what they thought would be best for us, so it makes sense that the there is so much about wars and living as followers of christ in the midst of prevailing wickedness and unbelief.