Why Baptism?

Christ’s simple command to “follow me” was given repeatedly (see, Matt; 8:22; Matt. 9:9; Matt. 16:24; Mark 2:14; Mark 10:21; Luke 9:23; John 1:43; John 12:26; among many others). Christ showed the way, and as part of that He was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). It was only after Christ was baptized that the Father commended Jesus and said He was “well pleased” (Matt. 3:13-17). Christ also had His disciples baptize His followers (John 4:1).
Christ spoke to Saul of Tarsus on the Road to Damascus and converted him by that contact (Acts 9:1-6). Following his conversion, Saul was healed of blindness, renamed Paul, and immediately baptized (Acts 9:11-18). Paul tied baptism to resurrection (Rom. 6:3-4). He declared that to be baptized is to “put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Peter also explained that baptism saves us (1 Peter 3:21).

​John the Baptist, Peter, and the Savior Himself tied baptism to repentance (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 1:2-4; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-41). Repentance is the condition of changing whatever direction we face and turning to face the Lord. As with all the teachings that the Lord provides to man, baptism is a multi-layered teaching instrument used to accomplish His own wise purposes of which we may not understand a fullness but only see in part for a time (see 1 Nephi 9:5 and 1 Cor. 13:12).

There is only “one faith” and it is in the “one Lord” whom we worship, and it requires “one baptism” to be included in the body of believers (Eph. 4:5). All who follow Christ are baptized.

Why Rebaptism?

Baptism is the outward sign of an inward desire and commitment we make to demonstrate that we will humbly follow God’s voice (3 Nephi 11:31-41; John 10:27-28). Baptism is therefore both the gate to repentance (Moroni 8:25) and the means by which we demonstrate our desire to be filled with God’s spirit (Acts 19:1-7).

Rebaptism was common and acceptable among early Latter-day Saints

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As such, this process of repentance begins anew each time we hear the Voice of God calling us to repent (e.g., Doctrine & Covenants 1:11-16; Doctrine & Covenants 6:9). This is why He so frequently commands the servants that He calls to preach repentance, even when He sends His messengers to a generation of people who have already been previously baptized (e.g., Alma 5; Acts 19:1-7; Matthew 9:16; Doctrine & Covenants 22:1-4).

​God desires that we progress by gaining more light and truth, little-by-little, until we arrive at the perfect day (Doctrine & Covenants 50:24) and are able, like Him, to obtain a fullness of understanding of all things. In addition to increasing in our comprehension of truth in general, which is an eternal effort, the Lord has His own will and desire that He intends to accomplish (Jacob 5:22). However, this requires a people on earth who can understand His will in order to accomplish it (see Doctrine & Covenants 38:27).

Authorized Baptism has always been required, from Adam until the present
To that end, the Lord sends angels or servants among the people of earth to teach them of His will and the design that the Lord intends mankind to fulfill. The word angel, from the Greek ‘angelos’, means messenger. Therefore, anyone, whether mortal or immortal, sent by God as a messenger is by definition an angel. 
The instructions imparted by God’s messengers consist of what the Lord expects of the people in order to fulfill the conditions of repentance. The first fruits of repentance is baptism (Moroni 8:25). This is because whenever the Lord sends a dispensation of the Gospel upon the earth, it always includes an invitation to be baptized (e.g., John 3:22-23; Luke 3:21-22; Acts 10:47; 3 Nephi 28:18).
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Therefore, baptism is the sign chosen by Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19; 3 Nephi 28:18) for mankind to accept, in order that they may accept the conditions of repentance that He sends in each generation wherein one of His servants can be found ministering upon the earth. Whenever a servant sent by Christ comes ministering, repentance and baptism will necessarily be required (e.g., Acts 2:38;  Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19; 3 Nephi 28:18). The practice of rebaptism, therefore, will always be observed by a people who seek to be God’s.

Mormons were commonly re-baptized as an expression of rededication or cleansing, or even for health reasons until the early 1900s. Additionally, many people in the Book of Mormon were re-baptized.

Is your baptism sufficient as the Lord is preparing for His return? 

Is there any merit for you to establish a record today to show that you have fully repented? ​​
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Baptisms are performed by immersion in "living waters" outside of a church building using these words:
"Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
This baptism does not make you, or require you to become, a member of any organized church or religion, but is only a sign between you and God that you sincerely believe in Jesus Christ, wish to follow only Him, and keep His commandments.

Even if you are a member of another church and intend to continue to serve in a denomination of your choice, we respect your choice of where, how, and with whom you choose to worship. However, we believe that baptism must be performed by someone having authority from Jesus Christ.
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Request Baptism or Rebaptism

If you have not been baptized, or would like to be baptized again, please let us know using the form below. There are those who have authority given to them from Jesus Christ to administer the ordinance who will travel to you, anywhere in the world, to perform the ordinance. The ordinance is free, and the service is provided without any charge or expectation of any gift or donation. Your request and personal information are kept strictly confidential.
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​After a person has been baptized, they may submit minimal information to the Central Recorder in order for their baptism to be officially recorded. A single volume containing the names of those baptized is being compiled annually and will be deposited in a future temple. This information is also held strictly confidential.