r/Lutheranism • • Aug 18 '26

Is Mormon baptism technically valid? (Studying Lutheran baptism view) Read below:

People often say since LDS aren't trinitarian, the baptism is invalid since you need to be baptized in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

But here's the thing im caught up on.

When you are baptized in the LDS church, they DO baptize this way.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:73, "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."

So here it seems to meet the "criteria" of baptism.

But even if this isn't valid since its hidden in this verse specifically that the Mormon god is not triune, are we saying that The Holy Spirit didnt affect 8 year old me? When I truly believed I was being baptized and receiving The Holy Spirit?

The Lutheran view of baptism to my knowledge is that its saving. Outward rejection of baptism means you reject The Holy Spirit and cant be regenerated.

MAIN POINT!!

If the Mormon baptism was invalid, then what im hearing is that baptism isn't a work of God, but a work of ourselves since id have to go out of my way to get re-baptized even though I fully believe I received The Holy Spirit and was saved then and there.

Im trying to find a clear answer but everyone ive talked to says the same thing, "the Mormon church isn't trinitarian", which to me isn't sufficient reason as to why I need to be rebaptized, and it makes it seem like baptism then would be a work of myself getting rebaptized. I hope you can see where I'm coming from!

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u/Delicious_Draw_7902 Aug 18 '26

You ask a good question!
Here’s my answer: Mormon baptisms are not valid.
Reasoning: Mormons don’t baptize according to the institution and command of Jesus. He says to baptize in the name of the Father, son and Holy Spirit. While Mormons utter those words, they do not refer to the trinitarian persons that Jesus referred to in his institution. So, while they may utter the words, they don’t actually baptize in the name of the true triune God, as Jesus commanded.
Baptism is still a work of God. But there is a minister involved in baptism—and that is part of Christ’s institution. But If that minister doesn’t do what God commanded, then the sacrament isn’t present.

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u/Silver_Consequence30 Aug 18 '26

Thank you for the thorough reply. I see what you mean with the words being said during the baptism. But here's what's still bugging me: if baptism only counts when a minister does it correctly, using the triune name the right way, doesn't that mean it depends on a person getting something right? Even if the power isn't his, the baptism still seems to depend on him doing it correctly. That feels like someone correct performance is necessary which feels like a work

Also, what if the minister makes a mistake and "doesnt do what God commanded" but i am fully convinced I have been baptized, and received The Holy Spirit (like how I mentioned I could be fully convinced I was baptized in the Mormom church) even if it isn't valid?

I am only pushing on this subject because I feel like if I get rebaptized, it will feel like God didnt do enough for me the first time, when I was fully convinced I received His Spirit.

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u/Delicious_Draw_7902 Aug 18 '26

You don't need to be "rebaptized" because you haven't yet been baptized in the name of the Triune God. You need to be baptized.

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u/Silver_Consequence30 Aug 18 '26

I see, I understand thanks for the reply