Mormon ordinances/Baptism

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Mormonism and baptism

Baptism is essential for salvation

Summary: Critics argue that the LDS insistence on baptism as an essential ordinance of salvation is "unChristian" or "unbiblical."

Book of Mormon textual changes: "or out of the waters of baptism"

Summary: The phrase "or out of the waters of baptism" was added to the 1840 edition of the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith. It is thought that this simply recommends a prophetic commentary on Joseph Smith's part describing the proper interpretation of the phrase "waters of Judah." It is not regarded as an error, or likely part of the original Book of Mormon plates' text.