Understanding Baptism Line upon Line

Joseph Smith Receives Baptism
After translating the account of Christ's visit to the Americas, the importance of baptism for the remission of sins became apparent to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. As it states, "And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive [fire and ... the Holy Ghost]. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." (3 Nephi 11:33-34,37-38) They knew from these verses, as well as others in the account, the importance of baptism and having proper authority to baptize. To inherit the kingdom of God, which is salvation and eternal life, requires baptism.

In May 1829, they sought in earnest prayer for revelation on the topic; in answer to their prayer they received a visit from John the Baptist, an angelic messenger who, under the direction of the ancient apostles, gave Joseph and Oliver power and authority and commanded them to be baptized and to baptize. They later received authority under the hands of the ancient apostles, Peter, James, and John, to give the gift of the Holy Ghost which completes baptism. (Joseph Smith - History 1:68-73)

At this point in time, they did not know what the kingdom of God looked like, what was in store for those who died without baptism, or that anything could be done for them to bring them into the kingdom of God. That baptism was a commandment and requirement for salvation of all those who are not little children, is about all they knew.

Joseph Smith Receives More Revelations
As time went on, more was understood and more was revealed. For example, the requirements for baptism were revealed in Doctrine and Covenants chapter 20 (D&C 20). Mormon's warning to his son Moroni about the evils of infant baptism was expounded upon lightly through revelation in D&C 68, where we learn that children start to be accountable for their sins at the age of eight. They then knew that baptism for salvation was required by all who were able to sin and the atonement of Christ took care of the salvation of all others without the need for baptism.

In February 1832, he received D&C 76 where baptism is brought up again. Before it comes up, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw a vision of what happens to the ungodly, those who will come forth in the resurrection of the unjust. That vision closed and a vision was opened in which they saw those "who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just." Everything from verse 50 on to the end of the section is in reference to these people. After knowing this, verse 51 says, "They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given--"

Joseph Assumes Celestial Kingdom Only
A lot of clarification and understanding about heaven and the kingdom of God has come from D&C 76 but also some confusion with regards to baptism. Baptism was only mentioned once in the section and it was seen while the vision of the celestial kingdom of God was in view. This allowed for Joseph's comment the following August:

Every man lives for himself. Adam was made to open the way of the world, and for dressing the garden. Noah was born to save seed of everything, when the earth was washed of its wickedness by the flood; and the Son of God came into the world to redeem it from the fall. But except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. This eternal truth settles the question of all men's religion. A man may be saved, after the judgment, in the terrestrial kingdom, or in the telestial kingdom, but he can never see the celestial kingdom of God, without being born of water and the Spirit. He may receive a glory like unto the moon, [i.e., of which the light of the moon is typical], or a star, [i.e., of which the light of the stars is typical], but he can never come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, unless he becomes as a little child, and is taught by the Spirit of God. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.12) (E&MS August, 1832. DHC 1:282-284)

A month later, in September 1832, he received another revelation, D&C 84, stating clearly that a man who rejects baptism in water and the accompanying Holy Ghost, "shall be damned, and shall not come into my Father’s kingdom where my Father and I am." This has a clear reference to the celestial kingdom. Between D&C 76 and D&C 84 it appears that what Joseph said in August is correct, that baptism is not necessary for anyone but those who receive celestial glory. Joseph made the assumption that the kingdom of God is only where the Father dwells and does not include the other kingdoms. However, Joseph was surprised as he learned about salvation and what it entails.

Joseph Sees Alvin and Angels
Four years later, in January 1836, it was clear that Joseph still believed that baptism was only necessary for entrance into the celestial kingdom and not the other kingdoms. He saw a vision of the celestial kingdom in which he saw his brother Alvin who had died before the priesthood of God had been restored to the earth and having never received baptism. This confused him because of all of the revelations stating that baptism is required. This understanding about baptismal requirements is apparent in his statement, "[I] marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that [the celestial] kingdom, seeing that he [Alvin] had departed this life ... and had not been baptized for the remission of sins." (D&C 137:6) As he marveled, the Lord said, "All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts." (D&C 137:7-9) "Joseph’s vision affirmed God’s mercy, but it was not entirely clear whether the scriptural requirement of baptism would be waived for Alvin and others like him, or whether it would be fulfilled in some other way." (Joseph Fielding, Times and Seasons)

Three months later, after the dedication of the Kirtland temple, keys of authority from Moses and Elijah were received, for the gathering of Israel and "to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse--" (D&C 110:15) How this was connected to baptism exactly was not yet known.

Joseph Receives Revelation on Baptism for The Dead
"At the funeral of Seymour Brunson on August 15, 1840, Joseph Smith taught the principle that men and women on earth could act for their deceased kin and fulfill the requirement of baptism on their behalf." (Letters on Baptism for the Dead, May 2013) More revelation was received of the subject but it became apparent that baptism as a requirement for salvation of those accountable, applies to both the living and the dead. "On [Joseph Smith Sr.'s] deathbed he earnestly requested that Alvin be baptized vicariously, and some of his last words were, “I see Alvin.” In accordance with his father’s request, Hyrum Smith was baptized for Alvin by proxy in 1840 and again in 1841 in Nauvoo." (Alvin Smith: Reminder of the Fairness of God) In January 1841, it was revealed that these vicarious baptisms were meant to be done in temples. (D&C 124:29)

Joseph Writes the Articles of Faith
In March 1842, the Articles of Faith were published. These are the ones pertaining to baptism: "We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost." (AofF 1:3-4) At this point we know that when Joseph Smith said all mankind, he was referring to both the living and the dead.

God Reveals the Endowment
We do not know when Joseph received heavenly ministrations to receive his own endowment; perhaps as early as 1836 or as late as 1842; some say as early as January 1841. Either way, in May 1842, under the direction of God he gave it to others. It was during the endowment ceremony that those who were already baptized, washed, anointed, and clothed, as was the case anciently, were then instructed in the laws of the kingdoms of God, the obedience to all of which would exalt them ultimately into the presence of God the Father in the celestial kingdom.

Understanding Connection to Baptism
Then in September 1842, Joseph expounded on how baptism has to do with Elijah's visit. "The earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect." (D&C 128:18).

In June 1843, Joseph expounded on how baptism, as well as other ordinances, has to do with Moses' visit. “What was the object of gathering the … people of God in any age of the world? … The main object was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation. … Why gather the people together in this place? For the same purpose that Jesus wanted to gather the Jews—to receive the ordinances, the blessings, and the glories that God has in store for His Saints." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, emphasis added) This again confirms that salvation is to inherit the kingdom of God, to receive the glories of His kingdom, (telestial glory, terrestrial glory, or celestial glory) and requires baptism. Learning about D&C 76 and the endowment did not change this, it only opened our understanding.

Brigham Young Speaks
As another confirmation, in October 1859, Brigham Young expounds on how baptism is required, even for those who will receive telestial glory. "I will now tell you something that ought to comfort every man and woman on the face of the earth. Joseph Smith, junior, will again be on this earth dictating plans and calling forth his brethren to be baptized for the very characters who wish this was not so, in order to bring them into a kingdom to enjoy, perhaps, the presence of angels or the spirits of good men, if they cannot endure the presence of the Father and the Son; and he will never cease his operations, under the directions of the Son of God, until the last ones of the children of men are saved that can be, from Adam till now." (Brigham Young, October 9, 1859, JD 7:289, emphasis added) This makes it clear that Brigham Young believed that baptism was necessary for entrance into the whole kingdom of God and not just the celestial kingdom. Those "who wish this was not so" can easily be defined as those who rejected Joseph's message while they lived on earth. Enjoying the presence of angels, who speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, clearly defines those in the telestial kingdom. (D&C 76:86,88) "Calling forth his brethren to be baptized for" them is necessary because they are no longer on earth to receive the ordinances themselves.

Lorenzo Snow Speaks

During the October 1893 general conference and then in 1894, while president of the quorum of the twelve apostles, President Lorenzo Snow said,  “The great bulk of those who are in the spirit world for whom the work has been done will receive the truth. The conditions for the spirits of the dead receiving the testimony of Jesus in the spirit world are a thousand times more favorable than they are here in this life” (Millennial Star, Oct. 6, 1893, 718).

“A wonderful work is being accomplished in our temples in favor of the spirits in prison. I believe, strongly too, that when the Gospel is preached to the spirits in prison, the success attending that preaching will be far greater than that attending the preaching of our Elders in this life. I believe there will be very few indeed of those spirits who will not gladly receive the Gospel when it is carried to them. The circumstances there will be a thousand times more favorable” (Millennial Star, Jan. 22, 1894, 50). It should be clarified that preaching and receiving the gospel refers to at least the first principles and ordinances including baptism.

Wilford Woodruff Speaks

Later Wilford Woodruff, while president of the church, taught in general conference in April 1894 the following, “I tell you when the prophets and apostles go to preach to those who are shut up in prison, and who have not received the gospel, thousands of them will there embrace the gospel. … “There will be very few, if any, who will not accept the gospel. Jesus, while his body lay in the tomb, went and preached to the spirits in prison, who were destroyed in the days of Noah. After so long an imprisonment, in torment, they doubtless gladly embraced the gospel, and if so they will be saved in the kingdom of God. The fathers of this people will embrace the gospel” (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, 152, 158). Again, embracing the gospel includes the first principles and ordinances.

Joseph F Smith Receives Revelation
In October 1918, Joseph F Smith received more confirming what Joseph Smith knew at the end of his life and what Brigham Young proclaimed. "All the spirits of men...were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross." (D&C 138:30,33-35, emphasis added)

These next verses have a direct reference to those who will receive telestial glory and be saved in the telestial kingdom of God. All inserted links from D&C 76 are from the section referring to those who will receive telestial glory. "The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, (including baptism) and after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, (D&C 76:104-106) and are washed clean, (again, baptism, see also D&C 76:107) shall receive a reward according to their works, (D&C 76:111) for they are heirs of salvation. (D&C 76:88)" (D&C 138:58-59)

By the end of this timeline, it was well established through revelation that baptism is required for salvation, which is eternal life, life with God, and life in the kingdom of God. This is not limited to life with God the Father, but is life in the kingdom of God, which includes three kingdoms of glory. Included are the telestial kingdom, which is life with God the Holy Ghost, the terrestrial kingdom, which is life with God the Son and Holy Ghost, and the celestial kingdom, which is life with God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Each of these kingdoms have laws which must be obeyed in order to qualify to live there. These laws have been revealed to the prophets of God in all ages, are known by those who prepare and go to the temple, and are taught throughout the church generally, without regard to which kingdom they belong to, because it is our goal to live with God the Father and obedience to all His laws apply to the celestial kingdom.

After having said all of this, I must add that the church has not taken a stand one way or the other on parts of what I have presented here. The church has not said that baptism is not required for entrance into the telestial or terrestrial kingdoms. The church has not said that baptism is required for entrance into the telestial or terrestrial kingdoms. The church also does not say that baptism is only required for entrance into the celestial kingdom. What the church has said is that baptism is required for entrance into the celestial kingdom. So my claim that baptism is required for entrance into the telestial kingdom, although not church doctrine, is supported by scripture and revelation. In my next blog post (Misunderstanding Baptism for Salvation), I will show where misunderstanding over the need for baptism as a requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God, even the lowest, telestial kingdom, came back into the church.

I have expounded on this topic in the past without so much descriptive clarity. To read what I have said in the past see the following posts:
Heaven or Hell (May 2008)
The Line between Heaven and Hell (Jun 2009)
Saving and Exalting Ordinances (Jul 2011)
Clarification of the Scriptural Definition of Death (Feb 2012)
The Plans of Redemption and Salvation (Jun 2012)
Grace Defined (Jul 2012)
Exaltation vs Eternal Life (Aug 2012)
Plan of Happiness Lesson (Feb 2014)
The Only True God (Apr 2014)
Biblical Take on Remission (Jul 2015)
The New Testament Testifies of Salvation in the Telestial Kingdom of God (Sep 2015)
Kingdoms of Salvation (Nov 2015)