There are certain ordinances connected with the Gospel, most of which
are essential to complete salvation, and all are desirable to be
observed under proper circumstances.
The first ordinance is the baptism of water for the remission of sins.
"Baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those
who repent: The person who is called of God, and has authority from
Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person
who has presented him or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling
him or her by 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.' Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come
forth again out of the water."
Baptism is analogous to the door of the Church. No person can become a
member without baptism, and no person is eligible for baptism without
repentance of sins committed. Consequently the candidate must have
arrived at the years of accountability, and be capable of repentance.
"All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized
and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness
before the Church that they have truly repented of all their sins,
and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a
determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their
works that they have received of the spirit of Christ unto the
remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his Church."
Children are eligible for baptism on attaining the age of eight years,
previous to which age they are not considered accountable before God
for their transgressions.
No person who has been excommunicated from the Church can be
re-admitted without repentance and baptism as at the first.
Baptism for the dead is administered in a similar manner to baptism
for the living, a living person acting as proxy for the dead person on
whose account the baptism is administered.
After baptism the candidates are confirmed members of the Church by the
laying on of hands, that they may receive the Holy Ghost.
The duty of "every member of the Church of Christ having {442}
children, is to bring them unto the elders, before the Church, who are
to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless
them in his name."
The laying on of hands is an ordinance also in the giving of
patriarchal or other blessings to members of the Church, in ordination
to office in the Priesthood, in setting persons apart to particular
duties or callings or missions, and in administering to the sick in
connection with anointing with consecrated oil and the prayer of faith.
In regard to the ordinance or sacrament of the Lord's Supper, the
members of the Church are required to meet together often to partake of
the bread and wine (or water, when pure home-made grape wine cannot be
had) in remembrance of the Lord Jesus. An elder, a bishop or a priest
can administer it. Usually the officer officiating breaks the bread
into small pieces, kneels with the members of the Church assembled,
and calls upon God, the Father, in solemn prayer, saying, "O God, the
eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to
bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake
of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and
witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they are willing to
take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep
his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his
Spirit to be with them. Amen."
After the members have partaken of the bread, the person officiating
takes the cup and engages in prayer, saying, "O God, the eternal
Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and
sanctify this wine [or water] to the souls of all those who drink of
it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which
was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the eternal
Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit
to be with them. Amen."
There is also the ordinance of marriage.
No person has authority to preach the Gospel, or administer in any
ordinance thereof, unless he holds the Priesthood, and then to
administer only in such ordinances as the particular office to which he
has been ordained empowers him and often only by special calling and
appointment.