Effects of baptism taken away? How?

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When my husband left the LDS religion, he recieved a letter stating that the effects of baptism, confirmation, ordinances, priesthood, etc. were taken away and that if he decides to be LDS at a later date, he would have to be re-baptized and go through each step again.

I am wondering how the effects of baptism and confirmation could possibly be “taken away”. In the Catholic Church, once baptized and confirmed, ordained a priest, it is “forever”, even if we decide to be a non-practicing Catholic. My husband can’t explain this, hopefully someone can.

Love and peace

Mom of 5
 
Mom of 5:
When my husband left the LDS religion, he recieved a letter stating that the effects of baptism, confirmation, ordinances, priesthood, etc. were taken away and that if he decides to be LDS at a later date, he would have to be re-baptized and go through each step again.

I am wondering how the effects of baptism and confirmation could possibly be “taken away”. In the Catholic Church, once baptized and confirmed, ordained a priest, it is “forever”, even if we decide to be a non-practicing Catholic. My husband can’t explain this, hopefully someone can.

Love and peace

Mom of 5
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Well, it comes down to the fact that Mormon theology is different than Catholic theology. It is their choice to believe that the effects of baptism can be taken away. But it also seems that this can be used as a scare tactic to keep a person from leaving the LDS church.

Then we come to the true baptism. Many denominations give a valid baptism if the right formula is used. And since baptism is forever, this is the reason why the Catholic Church recognizes VALID baptisms. There is no need to recieve it again if one decides to enter the church. However the Mormons do not have a valid baptism. This is due to the fact that they are so radically different from the rest of Christianity, they have a different idea of what baptism really is.

One should remember that if it is a true sacrament (such as baptism, confirmation, ordination, etc.) it is recieved from God through the Church. And since God is infinitely powerful, no one can take these sacraments away. They are eternal and everlasting. The only sacraments that can be nullified I suppose are that of Eucharist, Confession, and Unction. The only way this is done is if we reject His grace given to us by sinning. It is not done by some outside power. And the sacraments that leave an indellible mark on the soul, such as baptism, can never be negated no matter how much one rejects them, or what some outside person says. So for the LDS church to say that the effects of baptism are taken away seems quite presumptuous on their part, for thinking they can undue what God has done for all eternity.

But the most important thing to remember is that the Mormon sacraments ARE NOT VALID! So you and your husband need not worry… And if he has not yet recieved a valid baptism, he should do so with much joy, and without worry that no one can take that from him for all eternity!

Pax,
Dean

Sorry if I rambled a bit. I do that sometimes! 🙂
 
Thank you DJ and Brad, Great web site, Brad!

My husband was baptized Catholic, Easter, 2004. We still have ties, to LDS, friends and some of hubbys relatives.

I would like someone LDS to explain how the “effects” are removed, by whom, and why someone who left the church has to be totally re-converted. When my husband made the decision to be Catholic, I asked one of his former “home teachers” this very question, he could not answer it. (He came to try to convince hubby to reconsider his decision.) He was told that he would go to outer-darkness for rejecting his priesthood, so maybe you are right, DJ. It could be a way of keeping members in the church or at least to keep them from officially resigning whether active or not???

Love and peace
 
Heh, you’re welcome, although I didn’t really answer your question. I just wanted to know which side you wanted to have explained (it sounds like you wanted the LDS side).

Thanks for the compliment on my website. Maybe the baptism issue would make a good article.
 
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