Baptism in Mormonism

Baptism practiced in the Latter Day Saint movement A young man baptizing a child into the LDS Church in Panama In the Latter Day Saint movement, baptism is recognized as the first of several ordinances (rituals) of the gospel. Overview Much of the Latter Day Saint theology of baptism was established during the early Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith. Baptism must be by immersion and is for the remission of sins (meaning that through baptism, past sins are forgiven), and occurs after one has shown faith and repentance. Latter Day Saint baptism does not purport to remit any sins other than personal ones, as adherents do not believe in original sin. Baptisms also occur only after an "age of accountability" which is defined as the age of eight years. The theology thus rejects infant baptism. According to the account in Joseph Smith–History 1:68, the first Latter Day Saint baptisms occurred on May 15, 1829, when Smith and Oliver Cowdery baptized each other in the Susquehanna River near Harmony, Pennsylvania shortly after receiving the Aaronic priesthood from John the Baptist. In addition, Latter Day Saint theology requires baptism only be performed by a priesthood hold