Form of Mormon Baptism and Curious Question

[RAR]

My wife and I just had our first baby. I live in Utah County and have many LDS co-worker friends. A couple of them want to come to the baptism, which I think is great. But it got me thinking about our differences in baptism… I know the Catholic church does not consider their baptisms “valid,” but isn’t this mainly because they have such a strikingly different theology than ours or is it also because of differences in “form.”

What is the form of a Mormon baptism?

Do they baptise “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?”

Now a question I’m a little ashamed to even ask… I know Mormons practice Baptism for the Dead (no knowledge or consent given from the person or family members) and that every male is in one of two “priesthoods”… would my friends be interested in secretly baptizing my baby with what they believe is the legitimate baptismal form?

I know, I know, shame on me, but once I had the thought, I needed to ask someone. I’m basically confident that my friends are wanting to be there simply for an important moment in my life and in the life of our baby. It just got me thinking about our differences. Besides, if a friend of mine was having his baby baptized “in the name of the Squash, the Pickle, and the Chocolate Pudding,” I think I might interested in having it done right, too.

Thanks, RAR

 

[majick275]

My wife and I just had our first baby. I live in Utah County and have many LDS co-worker friends. A couple of them want to come to the baptism, which I think is great. But it got me thinking about our differences in baptism… I know the Catholic church does not consider their baptisms “valid,” but isn’t this mainly because they have such a strikingly different theology than ours or is it also because of differences in “form.”

What is the form of a Mormon baptism?

Do they baptise “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?”

Now a question I’m a little ashamed to even ask… I know Mormons practice Baptism for the Dead (no knowledge or consent given from the person or family members) and that every male is in one of two “priesthoods”… would my friends be interested in secretly baptizing my baby with what they believe is the legitimate baptismal form?

I know, I know, shame on me, but once I had the thought, I needed to ask someone. I’m basically confident that my friends are wanting to be there simply for an important moment in my life and in the life of our baby. It just got me thinking about our differences. Besides, if a friend of mine was having his baby baptized “in the name of the Squash, the Pickle, and the Chocolate Pudding,” I think I might interested in having it done right, too.

Thanks, RAR

mormons do not baptize children under 8 years of age ever. the form is always by complete immersion and uses the words: “(name) Having been commissioned of jesus christ, I baptize you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy ghost amen”

the individual performing the baptism must be at least a priest in the “lower” priesthood. there must be two priesthood holding witnesses present to ensure it was correctly performed. authorization must have been granted by the local bishop and/or the mission president depending on the circumstances. (some rare cases of baptisms and quite a few cases of rebaptisms require authorization from the first presidency)

 

[RAR]

Great! Thanks for the answer.

 

[zerinus]

My wife and I just had our first baby. I live in Utah County and have many LDS co-worker friends. A couple of them want to come to the baptism, which I think is great. But it got me thinking about our differences in baptism… I know the Catholic church does not consider their baptisms “valid,” but isn’t this mainly because they have such a strikingly different theology than ours or is it also because of differences in “form.”

What is the form of a Mormon baptism?

Do they baptise “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?”

The information that Majik gave on that is correct. On the subject of the Catholic Church’s stance on LDS baptism, I have written a lengthy article in my Blog that you might find interesting.

Now a question I’m a little ashamed to even ask… I know Mormons practice Baptism for the Dead (no knowledge or consent given from the person or family members) and that every male is in one of two “priesthoods”… would my friends be interested in secretly baptizing my baby with what they believe is the legitimate baptismal form?

You got quite a lot that wrong. Firstly, baptism for the dead is done for the dead, not the living. So the person cannot give his “consent” because he is dead! And it does not apply to your baby either, because your baby is alive! Secondly, baptisms for the dead are done mostly by family members on behalf of their own ancestors, therefore their “consent” is automatically implied. However, the Church also does some independent name extraction for which the consent of the relatives is not sought. Usually these names belong to many generations back.

zerinus

 

[teancum79]

(some rare cases of baptisms and quite a few cases of rebaptisms require authorization from the first presidency)

I think it is worth pointing out that these cases often involve repeated adultery or serious criminal offensives.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

My wife and I just had our first baby. I live in Utah County and have many LDS co-worker friends. A couple of them want to come to the baptism, which I think is great. But it got me thinking about our differences in baptism… I know the Catholic church does not consider their baptisms “valid,” but isn’t this mainly because they have such a strikingly different theology than ours or is it also because of differences in “form.”

My understanding is that it is not the form of the baptism that is the problem - “I baptise you in the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost.” The form is essentially the same trinitarian formula that the Catholic Church uses and recognizes in other faith traditions.

The problem with LDS baptism is that LDS trinitarian theology is so far from the orthodox christian understanding as to be completely incompatible with historical Christian teaching. Therefore, even though the trinitarian form is used, the understanding of the person performing the baptism is so far from what christianity understands of the trinity, as to make the sacrament invalid.

RAR:

Now a question I’m a little ashamed to even ask… I know Mormons practice Baptism for the Dead (no knowledge or consent given from the person or family members) and that every male is in one of two “priesthoods”… would my friends be interested in secretly baptizing my baby with what they believe is the legitimate baptismal form?

I don’t think you have to worry about that. As pointed out already, LDS do not baptize infants. And my personal experience with LDS members is that they are not shy about stating their concerns

Peace,
-Robert

 

[majick275]

I think it is worth pointing out that these cases often involve repeated adultery or serious criminal offensives.

in the case of baptism it would be murder,(to require FP approval) although there are some restrictions on post surgical transexuals that require special handling. anyone involved in an abortion requires special handling as well. family members of apostates and polygamists also.

for rebaptisms if the individual was endowed then special rules apply and even after the rebaptism they they don’t get full membership they had before without the restoration of blessings ordinance that requires FP approval and GA to perform it.