An LDS missionary recently wrote home that he had someone who wanted to get baptized! But this person couldn’t be baptized because of “a word of wisdom issue.” This is Mormon-speak for having an addiction they need to give up.
My immediate reaction to this, now that I am seeing things differently, was to feel so indignant and sad for this person who has literally been rejected of the waters of baptism because they aren’t good enough.
Oh, how we shame addiction!
My immediate reaction was, “They want Jesus! And they need Jesus first, and then they can overcome the addiction!”
I couldn’t believe someone would be denied of Jesus when they need Him most.
So I said so.
And I shouldn’t have been surprised.
I’ve heard it all before:
“We don’t want to baptize someone and put them under covenant to keep the commandments that they’re not ready to keep.”
Then you, my missionary friend, do not understand what baptism is.
Even baptism alone is a work to them – a statement of commitment – of taking something on your own shoulders.
No.
Baptism is about giving up what’s on your shoulders. Surrendering. Giving to Jesus. Our sin is cast upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.
The idea of a covenant is so twisted and convoluted to Mormons. The covenant is not a responsibility for us to perform! The new covenant is the performance that only Christ can do!
Ephesians 2:8-9 gives us the litmus test. How do we know if a “work” is what Jesus requires of us to be saved?
“For ye are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.”
A broken heart and contrite spirit (Psalm 51:17, Isaiah 57:15, 2 Nephi 2:6-7) is something we can all give. There is no preclusion that might prevent someone from offering their heart.
Having faith in Jesus, giving up our old lives—being crucified with Christ, taking up our cross—being born again, giving our new lives for His sake—these are things we can all give.
Sobriety isn’t.
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:5)
And you know what else isn’t? Having access to someone “with proper priesthood authority.” That is not something that should preclude anyone of being saved either.
Proper Authority—if there was ever anything to boast about, that’s it!
What a prideful belief!
For it shall come to pass in that day that churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord [and say] “I, I am the Lord’s”…and they shall contend one with another…and deny the Holy Ghost…and deny the power of God… [and say] he hath given His power unto men. (2 Nephi 28:3-5)
I bear my witness today that salvation is given to all who call upon the name of Christ! I will share more in my story about how I discovered this for myself…
All I Possess 