Sharing about a special baptismal service

19 August 2020

TO: Stake Presidency, Bishops and Branch Presidents

Brethren,

I thought I’d share with you an experience that reminds us that “things are changing” in the world and in the Church. As you know, the doctrinal truths don't change, but policies and procedures can and do.

Point in case…

Recently Vivienne and I attended the baptism of our 8-year-old grandson in Vancouver. 

Only 10 persons were allowed to attend in-person…our daughter, her husband, their 5 children (including the 8-year-old), two grandparents (us) and one close cousin. There were at least 50 people (including another grandparent witnessing from Utah) were watching the proceedings—from Washington to Virginia—via Zoom.

Also witnessing via Zoom was their bishop.

Because we were all family and had been together before, we didn’t have to wear masks (that was nice).

Because it was now a family service, our daughter conducted the meeting. Her husband baptized their son and I assisted our son-in-law in confirming their son afterwards.

The mother (our daughter) and our 9-year-old, recently baptized, grandson served as witnesses at the font while the bishop witnessed via Zoom.

After the meeting, with the entire family participating, the 8-year-old was able to look at the laptop screen and see ALL the people who had attended virtually and thank them for attending. 

Frankly, it was a sweet, sweet experience for grandpa. plus it was a wonderful reminder that things are different in today’s world…and it’s wonderful to see how the Church can adapt.

Thought you’d enjoy, too.

Grandpa Lewis

Soon thereafter, I posted this email:

Hmmm…on second thought.

Maybe I should clarify. I’m sure the bishop, who can now preside at the baptismal service via Zoom, approved of our daughter conducting the service where only family members were in attendance in person.

But the Handbook in 18.7.2 reads: "When a baptismal service for 8-year-old children who are members of record involves only one ward, a member of the bishopric plans and conducts it.” There’s no indication he can delegate this role to anyone outside the bishopric.

Guidance for convert baptismal services reads: "Under the direction of the bishopric, the ward mission leader (if one is called) or the member of the elders quorum presidency who leads missionary work in the ward plans and conducts baptismal services for converts."

So, it appears there’s not a lot of leeway in who is authorized to conduct a baptismal service.

Thanks for doing what the Handbook says and not what my family did :)

PrL