Alan Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 When we perform a baptism we say "having been commissioned of Jesus Christ". However, the wording in the BoM and the D&C is "having been given authority of Jesus Christ".Does anyone know when this change occured and why?
ksfisher Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 (edited) 73 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 himself 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.D&C 20:73http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/20?lang=eng Edited October 6, 2014 by ksfisher
Duncan Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Correct me if I am wrong but in the BOM there are two instances of a baptismal prayer and they are both different. The one that Jesus used in 3 Nephi is closer to the one that is in the DC 20:73-which is the one we use today. The other instance is in Mosiah 18. I don't know why there are three instances of three different prayers for the same ordinance
HappyJackWagon Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Correct me if I am wrong but in the BOM there are two instances of a baptismal prayer and they are both different. The one that Jesus used in 3 Nephi is closer to the one that is in the DC 20:73-which is the one we use today. The other instance is in Mosiah 18. I don't know why there are three instances of three different prayers for the same ordinanceIt's probably because the exact words aren't as impoartant as we think.
Alan Posted October 6, 2014 Author Posted October 6, 2014 I stand corrected.Could've sworn I read it differently in the D&C.Serves me right for not checking it out properly first.
BookofMormonLuvr Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 I stand corrected.Could've sworn I read it differently in the D&C.Serves me right for not checking it out properly first.As originally printed the D&C said "authority". It was changed in later editions.
JLHPROF Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 My understanding of this difference is that it depends on who is performing the ordinance.A similar parallel would be the difference of the wording of the 2nd annointing given to Joseph Smith vs the other men who received it, due also to his position. Sometimes the wording has to be adjusted based on authority. Having been comissioned is used by anyone with correct priesthood authority. They have the comission to do that having been ordained. (D&C 20). The differing prayer in III Nephi 11:25 was used by those who were actually ordained by Christ directly, therefore they said "having authority given me of Jesus Christ", as they not only had the comission as part of their priesthood office but received the authority from Christ himself. (see vs. 22). Mosiah 18:12-13 may or may not be the baptismal prayer, but may be instead instruction on the nature of baptism from Alma, with the actual baptism not occurring till vs 14, and not containing the wording of the prayer. Baptismal prayers used in the early church could also be adjusted for rebaptisms, baptisms for health and other varieties of rebaptisms. Each of these had their own wording.
ksfisher Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 As originally printed the D&C said "authority". It was changed in later editions. Do you know which edition the change appeared in?
BookofMormonLuvr Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Do you know which edition the change appeared in? Not currently, but I can find out.
BookofMormonLuvr Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Book of Commandments 24:53 says "authority"1835 D&C 2:22 says "commissioned"So the change occurred between the original Book of Commandments and the first edition of the D&C. 2
halconero Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 I understand, and agree with the need to maintain the proper wording of the current baptismal prayer. Linguistic changes, drift, and meaning can impact the doctrine surrounding prayer over long periods of time. I do feel, however, that the actual authority of the person performing the ordinance, and the repentant state of the individual being baptized are far more vital for the validity of the ordinance.
ksfisher Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Book of Commandments 24:53 says "authority"1835 D&C 2:22 says "commissioned"So the change occurred between the original Book of Commandments and the first edition of the D&C. So we can assume it was Joseph Smith who made the change.
BookofMormonLuvr Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 So we can assume it was Joseph Smith who made the change. Assume away.
ksfisher Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Assume away. Are you insinuating that nefarious forces were at work?
theplains Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 When we perform a baptism we say "having been commissioned of Jesus Christ". However, the wording in the BoM and the D&C is "having been given authority of Jesus Christ".Does anyone know when this change occured and why? A greater cause for concern would be why the Book of Commandments underwent majorrevision and morphed into the Doctrine and Covenants? You may be straining at a gnatof baptism's wording. Regards,Jim
Duncan Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) A greater cause for concern would be why the Book of Commandments underwent majorrevision and morphed into the Doctrine and Covenants? You may be straining at a gnatof baptism's wording. Regards,Jim I suspect the July 1833 burning of Phelps press had something to do with that! and it's straining out a gnat Edited October 7, 2014 by Duncan
HappyJackWagon Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 We say "straining at a gnat" here.That is a tiresome phrase. It is thrown out everytime someone doesn't want to have a discussion as a way to dismiss it as frivolous. JS had many "frivilous" questions but he sought answers and asked. If only someone would have told him he was straining at a gnat.
BookofMormonLuvr Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 Are you insinuating that nefarious forces were at work?I am saying we don't know who made the changes or why. To just assume it is Joseph Smith as a reason say "It must be fine than." is lazy.Yah revealed originally the word "authority" which would be a second witness to the wording in the Book of Mormon, it was changed, by someone, to "commissioned". Why? Who knows, it was never explained.Although I personally feel it doesn't matter which word is used, I will feel more comfortable going forward using the one that has two witnesses, and use "authority" when baptizing. I wouldn't reject those who feel otherwise, as I accept the baptisms of the Church of Jesus Christ (Bickerton) that uses the prayer as more of a model then the exact wording.
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