Priesthood can raise the dead? Is this true?

[larsenb]

I wholeheartedly agree with the First Presidency (and some of the Q12) that no man's opinion is worth a straw, even if that man is a prophet; to think otherwise is to make oneself a respecter of men. Knowledge is the only thing that counts.

Where does that leave wisdom, the wise use of knowledge?

[freedomforall]

The consequences for falling away after one's baptism by fire, is simply that it would have been better not to have known Christ (2 Nephi 31:14). This is a much different, and less severe consequence than those who fall away after partaking of the heavenly gift. It's quite comparatively easy to renew these people to repentance, otherwise Alma wouldn't have bothered (Alma 5:26).

Those who never knew Christ get the Telestial (D&C 76:101, D&C 39:18, D&C 132:22-23[they're all relevant, trust me]); therefore, those who receive the BFGH and deny Christ are cast out. They are sons of perdition. Unless I misunderstand what was said here, let me correct something please. It is those who reject the gospel having had it presented to them that go to the Telestial world as well as the wicked. Read cross reference "a" in verse 101. D&C 132:22,23 confirms that the ones who repent and seek righteousness will get it, even exaltation.

Jacob 6:8
8 Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?

Alma 39:6
6 For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable....

There are things unstated in the scriptures, purposefully, and things which can only be known by experience, as to how all these things hang together.

[log]

I wholeheartedly agree with the First Presidency (and some of the Q12) that no man's opinion is worth a straw, even if that man is a prophet; to think otherwise is to make oneself a respecter of men. Knowledge is the only thing that counts.

Where does that leave wisdom, the wise use of knowledge?

Without knowledge to make wise use of, I would say wisdom is empty. What would you call wisdom without knowledge?

[larsenb]

My family was the first members to be baptized in this tiny little island in the Pacific. One day my mom's sister came rushing into our house bawling and hysterical. She told us her son is at clinic nearby in a serious condition fighting for his life from roasted pig poisoning. She wasn't a member of the church but she knew my parent's faith and my mom had been sharing with her her testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and their conversion. She beg my dad to go to this clinic and give her son a blessing. Deep inside the seed my mother planted had blossomed and she had faith that my father's priesthood can perform miracles. So my mother, my father, myself ( I was 8 at that time) and couple of my siblings and a few other people left for the clinic. The doctor was there downcast, shaking his head indicating that it's too late, my cousin slightly purplish/gray, dead it was pretty obvious. My aunt bawled even more when she saw her son's condition. So my dad went to the table closed his eyes for a few minutes, opened them and laid his hands on his head and pronounced a blessing that he will wake up and live. He was dead, no heartbeat, no life at all and he's purple. A few minutes had passed, all of a sudden my cousin stirred, colors returned. The doctor refused to believe what he's witnessing is possible. Whether or not he's clinically dead , all of us who witnessed saw he was dead and lived. Yes my dad performed a miracle never seen by those people in that room. It must take some serious faith from my dad and his mother to perform this kind of miracle. My aunt was baptized after that and her children. What happened was never discussed outside of that room but it remained in our heart.

Wow! Yes, thanks.


I have a similar story, but only second hand. As a student at BYU (Bishop was Max Waters), I was assigned a new home teaching companion, one of two brothers from Idaho who had just moved into the ward. He was very humble, unassuming fellow and a nice guy on top of it. At some point in a particular gathering he told the story of how he had been raised from the dead as a result of a priesthood blessing from his dad.

As I recall, he had been found on the bottom of a pool, lifeless, no heartbeat or breathing. He laid there something like 20 to 30 minutes while they worked with him, until his father heard what had happened and came rushing on the scene. By this time his face was blackish, with maybe 40 minutes having elapsed since he was first found.

His father administered to him and I believe commanded his spirit to return to his body . . . . and it did. His bother who was present in the small gathering testified that all that my HT companion had said was true. I felt no reason to doubt the story, especially with the witness.

That story made a big impression on me at the time and has stuck with me.

[larsenb]

I wholeheartedly agree with the First Presidency (and some of the Q12) that no man's opinion is worth a straw, even if that man is a prophet; to think otherwise is to make oneself a respecter of men. Knowledge is the only thing that counts.

Where does that leave wisdom, the wise use of knowledge?

Without knowledge to make wise use of, I would say wisdom is empty. What would you call wisdom without knowledge?

OK, I'll bite. How about wisdom facilitated by direct input by the spirit, where the recipient did not know beforehand what he/she would say or do.

Or let's say you and I have equal knowledge of something that we need to act on, but let's say you had the wisdom, whether by the Spirit, or by accumulated experience, to act in a way that produced a superior outcome; whereas I, lowly individual that I am, acted in a way that caused me to come a cropper.

Now you could say that your accumulated experience constitutes knowledge, and I won't argue the point. But others may have similar experience, but still will not act wisely.

Wisdom, in my view, is a separate and superior quality/attribute than just mere knowledge. Of course you are welcome to disagree.

[log]

Without knowledge to make wise use of, I would say wisdom is empty. What would you call wisdom without knowledge?

OK, I'll bite. How about wisdom facilitated by direct input by the spirit, where the recipient did not know beforehand what he/she would say or do.

Revelations are knowledge as well - after all, they are directly experienced, and knowledge is gained by experience and in no other way. Wisdom is merely the judicious application of knowledge to achieve certain ends.

Or let's say you and I have equal knowledge of something that we need to act on, but let's say you had the wisdom, whether by the Spirit, or by accumulated experience, to act in a way that produced a superior outcome; whereas I, lowly individual that I am, acted in a way that caused me to come a cropper.

Now you could say that your accumulated experience constitutes knowledge, and I won't argue the point.

Yes, I would say exactly that.

But others may have similar experience, but still will not act wisely. Wisdom, in my view, is a separate and superior quality/attribute than just mere knowledge. Of course you are welcome to disagree.

Thanks!

[larsenb]

Without knowledge to make wise use of, I would say wisdom is empty. What would you call wisdom without knowledge?

OK, I'll bite. How about wisdom facilitated by direct input by the spirit, where the recipient did not know beforehand what he/she would say or do.

Revelations are knowledge as well - after all, they are directly experienced, and knowledge is gained by experience and in no other way. Wisdom is merely the judicious application of knowledge to achieve certain ends.

Or let's say you and I have equal knowledge of something that we need to act on, but let's say you had the wisdom, whether by the Spirit, or by accumulated experience, to act in a way that produced a superior outcome; whereas I, lowly individual that I am, acted in a way that caused me to come a cropper.

Now you could say that your accumulated experience constitutes knowledge, and I won't argue the point.

Like I said, the correct application of knowledge (wisdom) supersedes mere knowledge. And you slide by the point that a given indiv

Yes, I would say exactly that.

But others may have similar experience, but still will not act wisely. Wisdom, in my view, is a separate and superior quality/attribute than just mere knowledge. Of course you are welcome to disagree.

Thanks!

Like I said, the correct application of knowledge (wisdom) supersedes mere knowledge. So why don't we just say that someone who knows or is given to know how to act correctly or to use knowledge correctly acts wisely. Let's call this capacity to do so a special kind of knowledge or ability. You could even say that someone who has the ability and knowledge to invoke the Spirit to direct his/her actions is possessed of superior knowledge with that respect. But what if this ability comes more from just faith and not from any particular knowledge? Now you could go on to say, that such a person has to have the knowledge of how to exercise faith, in which case, I think you are starting to stretttttcchh the definition of knowledge.


The fact remains, that correct application of knowledge or action trumps mere knowledge; whether informed by vast experiential knowledge, by the Spirit, or just by that internal microchip called intuition; all of these sources are far superior to just factual knowledge.

[log]

shrug I'm not all that into hair-splitting. I go only as far as I can publicly justify, and let others go whence they may.

In the context the original topic arose, "wisdom" was not a consideration.

[Amonhi]

Amonhi , is it your view that the majority of the members of the Church have in fact received the baptism of fire and the holy ghost ?

I haven't thought about this for a while. At the moment, I feel inadequate to the task of determining this. The spirit refuses to give me insight on this matter.

[samizdat]

The priesthood can raise people back from the dead and do many works and wonders, based on the faith of the people and priesthood holder involved.

[log]

The priesthood can raise people back from the dead and do many works and wonders, based on the faith of the people and priesthood holder involved.

I am curious as to why people don't allow the scriptures to inform their views, rather than reading their views into the scriptures. Can you explain why this is?

[freedomforall]

The priesthood can raise people back from the dead and do many works and wonders, based on the faith of the people and priesthood holder involved.

I am curious as to why people don't allow the scriptures to inform their views, rather than reading their views into the scriptures. Can you explain why this is?

Then please acknowledge the error made about just who it is that goes to the Telestial kingdom. Thank you, log.

Those who never knew Christ get the Telestial (D&C 76:101, D&C 39:18, D&C 132:22-23[they're all relevant, trust me]); therefore, those who receive the BFGH and deny Christ are cast out. They are sons of perdition.

My reply: Unless I misunderstand what was said here, let me correct something please. It is those who reject the gospel having had it presented to them that go to the Telestial world as well as the wicked. Read cross reference "a" in verse 101. D&C 132:22,23 confirms that the ones who repent and seek righteousness will get it, even exaltation.

[log]

The priesthood can raise people back from the dead and do many works and wonders, based on the faith of the people and priesthood holder involved.

I am curious as to why people don't allow the scriptures to inform their views, rather than reading their views into the scriptures. Can you explain why this is?

Then please acknowledge the error made about just who it is that goes to the Telestial kingdom. Thank you, log.

Those who never knew Christ get the Telestial (D&C 76:101, D&C 39:18, D&C 132:22-23[they're all relevant, trust me]); therefore, those who receive the BFGH and deny Christ are cast out. They are sons of perdition.

My reply: Unless I misunderstand what was said here, let me correct something please. It is those who reject the gospel having had it presented to them that go to the Telestial world as well as the wicked. Read cross reference "a" in verse 101. D&C 132:22,23 confirms that the ones who repent and seek righteousness will get it, even exaltation.

To say one type goes to the Telestial is not to deny other types do as well. I am confused as to the nature of your disputation against what I said, therefore.

[freedomforall]

The priesthood can raise people back from the dead and do many works and wonders, based on the faith of the people and priesthood holder involved.

I am curious as to why people don't allow the scriptures to inform their views, rather than reading their views into the scriptures. Can you explain why this is?

This is a valid question. It is absolutely necessary to get correct knowledge from scripture, whereby we can gain faith sufficient for salvation. When we wrest the scriptures it is not as likely we would gain sure faith. Lectures III & IV:

[Simon]

I agree with log. Where do the scriptures teach that priesthood is required to perform miracles of faith, such as raising the dead or healing the sick? These things can be done by anyone with sufficient faith, man or woman.

If the priesthood is required for this, why is this not taught plainly in the scriptures? The scriptures plainly say that faith is required, but there is nary a word about priesthood when it comes to performing these miracles. The only reference I know of is D&C 42, but even it doesn't mention priesthood, only Elders (church office). And Elders are only to minister to those who DO NOT have faith to be healed.

Can someone be baptized by someone by faith only? Or is there authority required?

We should ask ourselve what the most important purpose of the priesthood is? I think we find the anser in the sriptures

D&C 84:19-22

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the KEY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

20 Therefore, IN TH ORDINANCES thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22 For without this noaman can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

The priesthood is the key of the knowledge of God. Wihout the priesthood, or in other words, wirhout it's ordinances no man nor women can see God face to face and live.

Can we use the priesthood without faith ?

10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;

11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

Faith is the reason why those man received the priesthood. I think this is the way it has to work.You can hold the prietshood, but without faith it is worth nothing.

Faith is whereon the priesthood is based, just as faith is whereon miracels and wonders are based. We don't need the priesthood to perfrom these mircales.. But we desperatly need te priesthood to receive saving ordinances, to see Christ and the Father.. In fact, the oath and the covenant of the priesthood is to "receive Christ and the Father"...

So, without faith, the priesthood has lost it's power. Without the priesthood we can't perform saving ordinances. WIthout saving ordinances we can't receive Christ and the Father.

[freedomforall]

Then please acknowledge the error made about just who it is that goes to the Telestial kingdom. Thank you, log.

Those who never knew Christ get the Telestial (D&C 76:101, D&C 39:18, D&C 132:22-23[they're all relevant, trust me]); therefore, those who receive the BFGH and deny Christ are cast out. They are sons of perdition.

My reply: Unless I misunderstand what was said here, let me correct something please. It is those who reject the gospel having had it presented to them that go to the Telestial world as well as the wicked. Read cross reference "a" in verse 101. D&C 132:22,23 confirms that the ones who repent and seek righteousness will get it, even exaltation.

To say one type goes to the Telestial is not to deny other types do as well. I am confused as to the nature of your disputation against what I said, therefore.

log said: Those who never knew Christ get the Telestial

I think this answers it:

D&C 137:7 (7–10)
7 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;
8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;
9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.
10 And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.

Those who are presented the gospel, then reject it inherit the Telestial. Those who had no knowledge of Christ and His gospel are covered by D&C 137 above.

I mean no disrespect to you, log.

[freedomforall]

I agree with log. Where do the scriptures teach that priesthood is required to perform miracles of faith, such as raising the dead or healing the sick? These things can be done by anyone with sufficient faith, man or woman.

If the priesthood is required for this, why is this not taught plainly in the scriptures? The scriptures plainly say that faith is required, but there is nary a word about priesthood when it comes to performing these miracles. The only reference I know of is D&C 42, but even it doesn't mention priesthood, only Elders (church office). And Elders are only to minister to those who DO NOT have faith to be healed.

Can someone be baptized by someone by faith only? Or is there authority required?

We should ask ourselve what the most important purpose of the priesthood is? I think we find the anser in the sriptures

D&C 84:19-22

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the KEY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

20 Therefore, IN TH ORDINANCES thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22 For without this noaman can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

The priesthood is the key of the knowledge of God. Wihout the priesthood, or in other words, wirhout it's ordinances no man nor women can see God face to face and live.

Can we use the priesthood without faith ?

10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;

11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

Faith is the reason why those man received the priesthood. I think this is the way it has to work.You can hold the prietshood, but without faith it is worth nothing.

Faith is whereon the priesthood is based, just as faith is whereon miracels and wonders are based. We don't need the priesthood to perfrom these mircales.. But we desperatly need te priesthood to receive saving ordinances, to see Christ and the Father.. In fact, the oath and the covenant of the priesthood is to "receive Christ and the Father"...

So, without faith, the priesthood has lost it's power. Without the priesthood we can't perform saving ordinances. WIthout saving ordinances we can't receive Christ and the Father.

I might add from Lectures on Faith:
Without faith it is impossible to please God. If it should be asked, Why is it impossible to please God without faith? the answer would be, because, without faith it is impossible for men to be saved; and as God desires the salvation of man he must of course desire that they should have faith, and he could not be pleased unless they had, or else he could be pleased with their destruction.

[log]

log said: Those who never knew Christ get the Telestial

I think this answers it:

D&C 137:7 (7–10)
7 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;
8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;
9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.
10 And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.

Those who are presented the gospel, then reject it inherit the Telestial. Those who had no knowledge of Christ and His gospel are covered by D&C 137 above.

I mean no disrespect to you, log.

No, I see the issue now. It was my fault for not fully fleshing my thought out.

I'm speaking of one group of people: those who hear the gospel, and may even be members of the Church, yet they do not repent.

3 Nephi 14
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

These are they who never knew the Lord, but professed to. That these include members of the Church is easily seen.

D&C 112
23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.

24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.

25 And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;

26 First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.

These are they who are ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, and pollute the holy church of God.

Mormon 8:38
38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?

Taking upon oneself the name of Christ means to receive the Holy Ghost.

Alma 34:38
38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ....

And to receive the Holy Ghost is the baptism by fire.

Doctrine and Covenants 39:6
6 And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.

The baptism by fire is how we have power to become the sons of God...

Moses 6:66-68
66 And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever;

67 And thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity.

68 Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen.

... and is how we receive Christ.

D&C 39:4
4 But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons.

Hence, this.

Mosiah 5:7
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

So, it's not that they reject the gospel - but that they do not receive it, and are not cleansed by fire from heaven. Just as they do not reject the prophets, but rather follow them, and do not receive them.

[freedomforall]

log said: Those who never knew Christ get the Telestial

I think this answers it:

D&C 137:7 (7–10)
7 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;
8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;
9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.
10 And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.

Those who are presented the gospel, then reject it inherit the Telestial. Those who had no knowledge of Christ and His gospel are covered by D&C 137 above.

I mean no disrespect to you, log.

No, I see the issue now. It was my fault for not fully fleshing my thought out.

I'm speaking of one group of people: those who hear the gospel, and may even be members of the Church, yet they do not repent.

3 Nephi 14
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

These are they who never knew the Lord, but professed to. That these include members of the Church is easily seen.

D&C 112
23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.

24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.

25 And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;

26 First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.

These are they who are ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, and pollute the holy church of God.

Mormon 8:38
38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?

Taking upon oneself the name of Christ means to receive the Holy Ghost.

Alma 34:38
38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ....

And to receive the Holy Ghost is the baptism by fire.

Doctrine and Covenants 39:6
6 And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.

The baptism by fire is how we have power to become the sons of God...

Moses 6:66-68
66 And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever;

67 And thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity.

68 Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen.

... and is how we receive Christ.

D&C 39:4
4 But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons.

Hence, this.

Mosiah 5:7
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

So, it's not that they reject the gospel - but that they do not receive it, and are not cleansed by fire from heaven. Just as they do not reject the prophets, but rather follow them, and do not receive them.

Understood, and well put. ;)

[Amonhi]

I agree with log. Where do the scriptures teach that priesthood is required to perform miracles of faith, such as raising the dead or healing the sick? These things can be done by anyone with sufficient faith, man or woman.

If the priesthood is required for this, why is this not taught plainly in the scriptures? The scriptures plainly say that faith is required, but there is nary a word about priesthood when it comes to performing these miracles. The only reference I know of is D&C 42, but even it doesn't mention priesthood, only Elders (church office). And Elders are only to minister to those who DO NOT have faith to be healed.

Can someone be baptized by someone by faith only? Or is there authority required?

This has a two part answer. Maybe even three part...

Part 1 - The LDS Church
- No. THe LS church does not recognize baptism without priesthood authority, but they do recognize that baptism regardless of faith. A person is officially baptized if the person who baptizes has authority even if the person who baptizes does NOT have faith, or the person being baptized does NOT have faith. It is a dead work that is recognized by the church as being valid. (D&C 22:2-3)

Part 2 - God
- Yes, a person can be baptized without the LDS Church authority, but not into the LDS Church and it can still be recognized by God. I know a woman who was baptized as a young woman by a baptist minister. It was the highlight of her life. She came out of the water filled with the spirit and feeling so clean and committed to following Christ. The ordinance was sealed by the Holy Ghost. Later she was converted to the LDS church which required baptism. She had already had this incredible experience which was witnessed by God as being valid so it didn't make sense to her why she should be baptised again. She couldn't be more committed to following Christ than she already was. But after being told that it needed to be done, she consented and was baptized by the LDS authorized priesthood. I was curious and asked her. How did it feel. She said, "Nothing special, It felt like going under water checking something off a list." I asked, how did it compare with your first baptism, She said "It didn't compare at all and that her first baptism was such a powerful experience that she had no doubt that God accepted it."

The truth is that part 3 - Not Really required
- Baptism is not really a required ordinance for salvation. It is a symbol like animal sacrifice. You can have the spiritual blessings of the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost without the physical ordinance of baptism in or out of the church. God does not with hold blessings that we are ready for now.

[Hippophibia]

Most key gospel questions are answered in the Articles of Faith.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Baptism is an ordinance of salvation requiring the PH

D&C 20:70 Every member of the church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name.
71 No one can be received into the church of Christ unless he has arrived unto the years of accountability before God, and is capable of repentance.
72 Baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent—

Likewise administering to the sick is an ordinance, else it is just a prayer of faith. The healing depends on both parties faith and the will of God.

D&C 42:43 And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy.
44 And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me.

[Hippophibia]

Part 1 - The LDS Church
- No. THe LS church does not recognize baptism without priesthood authority, but they do recognize that baptism regardless of faith. A person is officially baptized if the person who baptizes has authority even if the person who baptizes does NOT have faith, or the person being baptized does NOT have faith. It is a dead work that is recognized by the church as being valid. (D&C 22:2-3)

Every worthy person holding the PH has faith else they would not go down into the waters to perform the baptism. It is an ordinance of salvation i.e an entry into the gate after which one is required to continue to build your faith. I don't think it is possible for the parties not to have faith even though it is the size of a mustard seed. All it takes is a belief in God the Father and a knowledge of the atonement of the Son. Even Satan and his angels believe in God and tremble - ie. PH and a level of worthiness is needed.

Don't be so hasty to judge, it shows a lack of understanding that they are baptised without faith.

The Scriptures teach that repenting and being worthy of baptism is sufficient faith to be baptised, and the PH holder performing the baptism living worthy show faith - it is impossible to live worthy to that level without faith.

[log]

Every worthy person holding the PH has faith else they would not go down into the waters to perform the baptism.

Are all PH holders worthy?

If not, how many PH holders are worthy?

If so, how do you know all PH holders are worthy?

[Amonhi]

No, I see the issue now. It was my fault for not fully fleshing my thought out.

This was enlightening. I remembered learning many of those points before, but the line on line leading through your thought was really good/clear. Thanks!

[Amonhi]

Most key gospel questions are answered in the Articles of Faith.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Baptism is an ordinance of salvation requiring the PH

You are correct, according to what I understand are the Current Church Doctrines. This however does not jive with the scripture reference or my personal experience with is the rock on which I build... I do not build on the sand of the church for this very reason, the Curernt Church Doctrine is in many instances like this one, wrong.

For example, according to church doctrine, you cannot receive the gift of the Holy Ghost without PH authority or even being baptized by PH authority. But here we see the gentiles receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost like Peter, the Prophet.

" 44 ¶While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" - Acts 10:44-47

"15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" - Acts 11:15-17

For a list of examples and more discussion regarding spiritual ordinances without physical ones, Check out this link: HERE