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The manner by which people are baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has already been discussed in this blog. But within the Church, who is the one doing the baptizing? In my experience, the person being baptized should have a choice whenever possible. It may be a missionary, but it doesn't have to be.
What IS of utmost importance is that baptism must be performed by someone who has authority. Not just any person can baptize. He must be someone who has been given authority by God to act in His name. And that authority is called the Priesthood.
NOTE: If you'd like to learn more, you may get in contact with missionaries of the Church at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/missionary-visit
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WHAT MATTERS MOST
You might not think it at first, but in a world of diverse religious faiths, the question of "who baptizes" is critical. This is essentially a continuation of Post #41, "Baptism by Immersion". In order to understand the importance of baptism by immersion into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you must understand that the authority to baptize, which is the Priesthood, was lost in the Apostasy and restored and found only in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (See "Apostasy and Restoration" and see "The Return of the King -- Part 4.2" to learn about Priesthood Keys). The priesthood is what makes baptism a sacred ordinance and not just an event involving water. Baptism is a commandment of God, and essential for salvation. We are baptized for the remission of our sins.
Missionaries don’t have to be the ones to baptize but the person does need to be a worthy Melchezidek priesthood holder or Priest (see "Church Organization"). What this means, is that it needs to be another male of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who has received priesthood authority "By the laying on of hands" and is living in harmony with the teachings of the restored gospel. But beyond that, it doesn’t matter too much who performs the baptism.
It should, however, be noted that performing or receiving some ordinances and blessings requires approval from a presiding leader who holds the necessary priesthood keys. For 8-year-old children and for members of record ages 9 and older whose baptism was delayed due to intellectual disabilities, the Bishop holds the necessary priesthood keys for his Ward. As for converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mission President holds the necessary priesthood keys for baptisms and confirmations. [1]
What else matters most when it comes to being baptized? It is absolutely necessary that a person has the desire to be baptized. Baptism represents our willingness to follow Jesus Christ. It's an act of love. Baptism should be a very personal experience. It represents a beginning, not an end of discipleship. And so, as important as it is to be baptized by the right authority, it is equally important to be baptized for the right reasons.
It should be the baptism and not him performing the baptism that should be the focus of the sacred ordinance. Most missionaries love being the ones to baptize but that shouldn't be the driving motivation. Missionaries should be excited to help others come unto Christ and not make themselves the recipients of the “glory”, so to speak. There will always be opportunities after the mission to baptize. Hermano Clark, from the MTC (See "Welcome to the MTC" and "Adventures of District D -- Part 2"), told us that he and his companion always had someone from the local Ward baptize those they taught. He never got wet. There is wisdom in this because although missionaries don't stay, the locals do. The more moments a local Church member and a convert share together, especially something as significant as baptism or lesson, the better. The missionary has experiences and memories galore for himself or herself, but I think it's only right to give some of those experiences and memories to the locals too. The more they get involved with missionary work, the sweeter, and the more the blessings go around. It's generally when the local church members get involved that missionary work takes off. Every member is a missionary. (See "Member Missionary Work")
Missionaries are very blessed to participate in the salvation of God’s children. One thing must not be forgotten: the work and the glory are first and foremost God’s. He has all power and could definitely do everything himself, as far as I believe, but He loves us enough to get a taste of what He does. He gives us opportunities to love and serve selflessly. Missionary work, in a limited sense, is working, teaching, and baptizing but in a greater holistic sense, missionary work is serving and loving others in any way. No nametag is required for that.
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