Mormon Denounces Infant Baptism

This is a letter that my father, Mormon, wrote to me, Moroni, soon after I was called to the ministry:

“My beloved son, Moroni, I rejoice greatly because your Lord Jesus Christ has remembered you and has called you to His ministry and holy work. I always remember you as I pray to God the Father in the name of His Holy Child, Jesus Christ. I pray that He will protect you through His infinite goodness and grace, because of your constant faith in His name throughout your life. I am very sorry that there have been arguments among the people you are teaching. You wrote and told me that there have been arguments among your people about the baptism of their little children. Now, my son, I want you to work hard to stop this great error of baptizing little children. This is why I am writing this letter.

“Just as soon as I read your letter, I asked the Lord about it. His word came to me by the Holy Ghost’s power, saying, ‘Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. I did not come into the world to call the righteous to repentance, but rather the sinners. Those who are healthy do not need a doctor, only those who are sick. Children are completely alive in Christ and are not able to sin. Through me, the curse of Adam is taken from them and has no power over them. Also, the law of circumcision is done away because of me.’

“Moroni, this is how the Holy Ghost spoke God’s word to me. Because of this, I know that it is solemn mockery before God to baptize little children. Teach repentance and baptism of those who are accountable and capable of committing sin. Teach parents to repent, to be baptized, and to humble themselves as their little ones. Tell them that if they do this, they will be saved with their children. Teach them that their little children do not need to repent or be baptized. Baptism is only for those who repent. Baptism fulfills the commandment to repent for all who are accountable, bringing them a remission of their sins.

“But little children are saved by Christ, and always have been. If this were not true, then God would be an unfair God, saving only those who have been baptized, for many little children have died without baptism! If little children could not be saved without baptism, there must be many little children in an endless hell, but we know this is not so. Whoever believes that little children need baptism is controlled by his sinfulness and is full of bitterness, having no faith, hope, or charity. Those who die with this belief will suffer in hell. It is awful wickedness to think that God saves one child because of baptism and that another goes to hell for not being baptized. Those who distort the Lord’s ways in this manner will be cursed, for they will die spiritually unless they repent. I speak with boldness, having authority from God. I am not afraid of what anyone may do to me, for perfect love removes all fear. I am filled with charity—an everlasting love. All children are alike to me. I love them with a perfect love, and they are all saved. For I know that God is not an unfair god, and that He does not change His ways. Little children cannot repent, so it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God to them, for they are all alive in Him because of His mercy. Those who say that little children need baptism deny Christ’s mercy, for they dismiss His Atonement and the power of His redemption. Such people are cursed, and are in danger of spiritual death, hell, and an endless torment of soul. God has commanded me to speak boldly. Listen to me and be obedient, or my words will stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ.

“All little children and all those without Christ’s law are alive in Him. The power of His redemption saves all who have no law. They are not condemned, for with no law, they cannot repent. This is why baptizing those without the law is meaningless. To put trust in dead works, such as baptizing those with no law, is to deny Christ’s mercy and the power of His Holy Spirit—it is mockery before God. Moroni, my son, this thing should not be done. Repentance and baptism are only for those who are under condemnation and the curse of a broken law.

“The first act of repentance is baptism, which is an act of faith toward fulfilling all the commandments. This brings the remission of sins, which in turn brings meekness and humility. The Holy Ghost, or Comforter, fills the humble with hope and perfect love. This perfect love remains with a person who diligently prays until the end, when all who have become saints will live with God.

“My son, I will write to you again soon unless I go out against the Lamanites. The pride of this Nephite nation will cause their destruction unless they repent soon. Pray for them, my son, that repentance may come to them. But I am afraid that the Spirit has already stopped working with them, and in this part of the land, they are trying to put down all the power and authority that comes from God. They are denying the Holy Ghost. After rejecting such great knowledge, my son, they must perish soon and fulfill the words of the prophets as well as the words of our Savior Himself. Farewell, my son, until I write or meet you again.”