Dear Brethren of the High Council,
As you know, we had a lively discussion yesterday regarding baptismal services.
I need to apologize for suggesting, in response to a comment by Don Hokanson, that the Handbook lists other topics besides baptism and Holy Ghost for talks at a baptismal service. As best as I can tell, he was right and I was wrong. The Handbook and Preach My Gospel read as follows in the outline of the elements of a baptismal service (Handbook 2, 20.3.4):
“One or two short talks on gospel subjects, such as baptism and the Holy Ghost.”
As a stake presidency, in hopes of helping to change the tone of baptismal services in our stake, we have amplified the list of recommended "gospel topics" to include: “Restoration, the Godhead, the Atonement, principles and ordinances of the gospel, priesthood authority.” I’ll add another one: “The purpose and blessing of making covenants through ordinances.”
Some of you may be asking, why is the stake president so worked up over this?
My concern has grown over the years after attending MANY baptismal services in our stake and elsewhere…and so you’re getting the “eruption.” :) So please forgive me if I have been too adamant or been insistent that my view is “the one and only true view.”
My concerns arise from the fact that whenever “baptism” is the assigned topic at a baptismal service, members almost invariably focus on the “cleansing” aspect of baptism so that it’s taken out of proportion to the purposes and blessings of this sacred ordinance, as spelled out in the Bible Dictionary and as referenced by Brother Hokanson in our meeting yesterday.
While baptism is “for the remission of sins” and truly past sins are now and forever in the past, speakers on the topic often use that to infer falsely that baptism makes us “perfect” and that there’s a “quick fix” to repentance—to repent all we have to do is to take the sacrament and we’re instantly made "as clean as the day we were baptized," or confess to the bishop and God has forgiven us, or stop doing that which is evil (forsake sins) and we’ve repented.
This “quick fix” teaching would suggest that the best thing that can happen to the baptismal candidate is for them to die right now because they’re now “perfect.” Or how sad it will be when you start making mistakes by clouding your one-and-only moment of purity. Or that you can get a quick fix in the future by renewing your baptismal covenant at the sacrament table, as if the sacrament was a “magic pill that absolves sin.” Or, because of your “perfect state," it’s only downhill from here.
Moroni warned us that “quick fix” traditions would arise when he prophesied in Mormon 8:32 that the Book of Mormon would come forth “…in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.” It’s called “indulgences” in the churches which fulfill Moroni’s prophecy and practice it today.
Please know that I don’t think our stake is on the road to apostasy…certainly not anything akin to the apostasy described by Moroni, but I am concerned that we are teaching an inappropriate view of repentance at baptismal services to children, converts, members and non-member friends alike.
There are no “quick fixes” to repentance.
There is a reason the Handbook states that severe disciplinary action, such as disfellowshipment “usually lasts at least one year” and excommunication “almost always lasts at least one year.” (Handbook 1, 6.9.2 and 6.9.3)
That’s because repentance is not accomplished by us completing a checklist of things we must do (taking the sacrament, confessing, forsaking) but…
…by us becoming “born again; yea, born of God…become new creatures…” (Mosiah 27:25-26);
…by making and keeping covenants (Mosiah 5:7);
…by our hearts changing so much that we abhor the very sins we once embraced (Alma 13:12);
…by witnessing our sorrow and regret being replaced by joy (Alma 36:19-20);
…in short, by the Lord giving us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26)!
All of this takes time through Godly sorrow, dedicated personal devotion (including fasting, prayer, study, pondering), faithful observance of the commandments, regular renewal of covenants, consistently turning our heart to the Lord and seeking only His will in our lives. The Lord then turns us into “new creatures” (Mosiah 27:26) as we commit to a “godly walk” (D&C 20:69).
This is what is not being taught and it weighs on my heart as your stake president.
Again, if I have offended and overreacted, please forgive me. I invite you, even ask you, to please help us teach correct doctrine in all of our meetings and worship in this stake and avoid teachings that would undermine the many truths we are so blessed to have in the fullness of times.
It is an honor to serve and associate with you.
Crismon
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