What is involved in the baptisim process?

[Jsmith85]

The more I read and pray seeking the path the Heavenly Father would have me pursue, the more I feel Heavenly Father confirming that He would have me join the church. How do I go about joining the church? I know that there is a baptism but how do I prepare for that? What is involved with the Baptism process?

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Jsmith85 said:

The more I read and pray seeking the path the Heavenly Father would have me pursue, the more I feel Heavenly Father confirming that He would have me join the church. How do I go about joining the church? I know that there is a baptism but how do I prepare for that? What is involved with the Baptism process?

There are two sets of answers to that, the literal (mechanical/procedural) and the spiritual.  Let me separate them so that you can figure out for yourself how they mesh together.

PROCEDURE:

• As you speak with the missionaries tell them that you have a desire to be baptized.  They'll go ahead and schedule something.
• You used to have a certain number of lessons you needed to complete.  But this procedure may have changed a bit since I was a missionary.
• You then have an interview with a district leader or a zone leader (one of the supervising missionaries).  He simply asks you about your testimony and what you've learned from your lessons.  It isn't like a final exam. It's an interview.  So, take it as it comes.
• The missionaries should introduce you to the "ward mission leader".  There's one in every ward (congregation).  The missionaries should know who is assigned as the ward mission leader in the ward you live in.  He is in charge of being your guide as a new member.
• You will decide who will baptize you and who will confirm you.
• For the actual program itself, you'll probably want to pick out some songs and individuals for prayers and addresses (talks) about baptism and the Holy Ghost.  The missionaries will help you with these little details.
• There is a "font" in most ward buildings.  These are either very large bath tubs or very small pools depending on how you look at it.  
• We believe in baptism by immersion.  So, you will be loaned a white jumpsuit for this purpose.
• Other details are rather tedious and you can get this information from the missionaries.

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION:

• Baptism is not just an outward ordinance.  It is the physical act by which we declare to both man and God that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Christ.  We will stand as a witness of God in all places, at all times, in whatsoever circumstance we may be in.
• We covenant that we accept Christ as our Savior, that we will mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, that we will live our lives as Christ would live if He were there (in other words, always ask ourselves "What would Jesus Do?")
• In addition to the covenants we make as disciples of Christ, we make covenants that say we are set apart from the world.  We are to be a peculiar people -- a covenant people.  So, there are certain covenants we make that are not required of the rest of the world.  This is where such things as our health code (AKA the Word Of Wisdom) and the Law of Chastity come in.  
• Make sure you understand the little differences between our beliefs and those commonly found in other branches of Christianity.  Start with the missionary discussions and the Articles of Faith.
• Fast and Pray often to know that you're on the right track.  No matter what you believe or what anyone else tells you, the only one who can really tell you the most about God is... God.  So, listen to Him.  The further you go on the right track the more Satan will want to take you off that track.

One friend of mine told me the following story as he was preparing for baptism:

Quote

All this week, I've had more stuff happen to me that would normally throw me off track and make me just want to give up.  Never has it been so difficult to just move forward.  But at the same time, never has it been so easy for me to re-focus on what I knew was important.  That was how I knew that this was the right decision.  I knew where the strength was coming from to help me focus.  And because of that, I knew where all the trouble was coming from as well.  I chose to follow the strength rather than the trouble.

Once I made that realization, there simply was no choice for me.  I knew what I had to do.

 

[Iggy]

These are two talks that my Sister-In-Law gave me permission to use at any baptism that I was asked to give a talk. They are simple and to the point. Perhaps they will help you to comprehend the covenant one takes at baptism.

BAPTISM TALK

1) When you came to the Earth, your Heavenly Father had some very important things for you to do. You accomplished the first thing when you were born and received your body. You are here today to do the next thing He wanted you to accomplish. You are going to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost.

2) I have some keepsakes to give you as I talk about Baptism. You can keep in this special box so you can use them to help remember about your Baptism and what it means.

a) The Fourth Article of Faith says: We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Copy of Fourth Article of Faith)   We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

b) You must be at least 8 years old to be baptized. That is when you are old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. (A number 8)

c) We follow the example of Jesus when he was baptized by John the Baptist. (Picture of Jesus being baptized)

d) We are baptized by immersion - which means you are completely covered by the water, by someone who has the priesthood authority. (Picture of child being baptized)

e) Baptism is a covenant or promise between Heavenly Father and you. (Scroll with promise on it) You promise, or covenant, to take the name of Jesus Christ upon you, to always remember Him, to keep His commandments, to bear testimony of Him, and to love and serve Him by loving and serving others.

Mosiah 18:8-10 

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

Doctrine and Covenants 20:37  And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.

f) When you are baptized you promise to obey the commandments of Heavenly Father. (Ten commandments) 

1. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). We should do “all things with an eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 82:19). We should love and serve the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength (see Deuteronomy 6:5; D&C 59:5).

2. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” (Exodus 20:4). In this commandment, the Lord condemns the worship of idols. Idolatry may take many forms. Some people do not bow before graven images or statues but instead replace the living God with other idols, such as money, material possessions, ideas, or prestige. In their lives, “their treasure is their god”—a god that “shall perish with them” (2 Nephi 9:30).

3. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

4. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).

5. “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). This commandment remains binding throughout our lives and can be understood in several ways: We should honor our fathers and our mothers who are our ancestors; we should be grateful to the father and mother who provided our earthly bodies; we should honor those who raised us in the knowledge of the truth. Above all, we should honor our Heavenly Parents. The way we honor all these fathers and mothers is by keeping the commandments.

6. “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13).

7. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). In a latter-day revelation, the Lord condemned not only adultery, but “anything like unto it” (D&C 59:6). Fornication, homosexuality, and other sexual sins are violations of the seventh commandment.

8. “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15). Stealing is a form of dishonesty.

9. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). Bearing false witness is another form of dishonesty.

10. “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17). Coveting, or envying something that belongs to another, is damaging to the soul. It can consume our thoughts and plague us with constant unhappiness and dissatisfaction. It often leads to other sins and to financial indebtedness.

g) When you are baptized you are forgiven and your sins are washed away. If you do something wrong after that, Heavenly Father will forgive you if you repent and that sin will be washed away too. (Small bar of soap)

h) When you are baptized you become a member of the true church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Badge with name of the church)

i) When you take the Sacrament you are renewing the covenant you made with Heavenly Father at your baptism. (Picture of child taking sacrament or trays)

 

There is always the talk about receiving the Holy Ghost ~

HOLY GHOST TALK

1) When Heavenly Father sent us to this Earth, He know we would need someone to help us, to guide us. After we are Baptized he gives us a gift, the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift is the greatest gift we can enjoy on Earth. You can't see the Holy Ghost, but you can feel his presence when you need it. Sometimes it is like a warm or burning feeling within you or as a feeling of comfort and joy.

2) I have some things that will help me explain to you what the gift of the Holy Ghost is. You may keep these things and use them to help you remember about the Holy Ghost.

a) The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. He has a spiritual body that can only be in one place at a time, but his influence can be felt everywhere, like the sun. The sun is only in one place in the sky but we can see it's light and feel it's warmth over a large area at the same time. (Circle chart of the Godhead)

b) The Holy Ghost testifies of Jesus Christ, that he does live and of his love for us. (Frame with picture of Christ)

c) The Holy Ghost will be a shield or protector, to protect you from harm. He will warn you of danger. (Shield)

d) The Holy Ghost will help you Choose the Right. When you pray about something, he will give you a peaceful feeling if you are making the right choice. If you are making the wrong choice you will feel confused. (CTR ring)

e) The Holy Ghost will be a companion or friend and will help you feel love for yourself and others. (Paper doll with heart shape)

f) The Holy Ghost will be a guide, like the compass. He will show us what things we should do to make correct decisions to lead us back to our Father in Heaven. (Compass)

g) The Holy Ghost will act as a teacher, to teach us the truth of all things. (Chalkboard)

h) The Holy Ghost will act as a comforter, to comfort us in time of need, to give us the feeling of peace when we feel alone or afraid. (Small quilted comforter)

3) The Holy Ghost will be with you when you need him but there are some things which you must do to keep his spirit with you. If you are doing something wrong the Holy Ghost will have to leave and you would need to repent and ask for his spirit to return. I am going to share some things with you that will help you remember what you must do.

i) You must obey the Commandments and live a clean and worthy life. (Moses and commandments)

j) You must read and study the scriptures. They are the most important books we have. Many times the answers you are looking for will be found there. As you read, the Holy Ghost will tell you what you are reading is true. (Picture of Bible and Book of Mormon)

k) Pray every morning and every night and often during the day. Tell your Heavenly Father what you need and ask to have the Spirit of the Holy Ghost with you. Thank Heavenly Father for all he gives you.

l) Sometimes you will hear a still small voice, and sometimes an idea that suddenly comes to you may be the influence of the Holy Ghost. When you ask for something you need to remember to listen for the answer. (Child in prayer)

m) You must have faith. The mustard seed reminds us of faith. In the scriptures we learn that if we have faith the size of the mustard seed we can tell a whole mountain to move - and it will move. The mustard seed is the tiniest of seeds but it can grow into the largest of trees. (Picture of Mustard tree and pin)

n) Always follow Jesus Christ, he is the light of the world and will always light your way. (Lantern)

Yes, these talks are pretty much geared towards children, but I have given them to my adult converts. I don't know how to insert the picture props - so when you have your lessons with the Missionaries, show them these talks, and ask them to show you the possible pictures.

[bytebear]

Here is the manual for performing baptism.

https://www.lds.org/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-b/priesthood-and-church-government/lesson-5-performing-priesthood-ordinances?lang=eng

[Jsmith85]

I just realized I forgot to reply - Thank you all for the responses

Carborendum, Iggy, and Bytebear - That's exactly what I was looking for, somewhat of an Idea of what to expect.

I saw the missionaries on Sunday and they are aware that I'm desiring Baptism. Sacrament on Sunday just confirmed it even more. I love how Heavenly Father leads us.

 

[dahlia]

On 2/3/2017 at 8:15 PM, Iggy said:

" Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?"

When I read this the first time, it struck me like a bolt of lightening. I wasn't sure I wanted to be baptized, but wow, I had to really question myself and my motives for NOT getting baptized. 

btw OP - keep talking to the people here. They helped me out a lot.

[Jsmith85]

53 minutes ago, dahlia said:

btw OP - keep talking to the people here. They helped me out a lot.

Thanks I will.    

[Guest]

@dahlia,

WOW! New Avatar!  Coolness.

[Jsmith85]

Update: I had my Baptismal Interview today - everything is set in place for me to be Baptized on February 18th, and confirmed on the 19th.

[Sunday21]

13 hours ago, Jsmith85 said:

Update: I had my Baptismal Interview today - everything is set in place for me to be Baptized on February 18th, and confirmed on the 19th.

Yeah! We are so happy for you! ?

[bytebear]

Congratulations!

[Guest]

Congrats how'd it go?