The Doctrine of the Law

The Law

Baptism and Confirmation

Baptism and confirmation are the ordinances of entrance and membership in the Kingdom of Zion. Every person who newly enters the Kingdom is to receive them according to the order established here, whether or not that person has previously received baptism and confirmation through another authorized stewardship.

For children raised within the Kingdom of Zion, baptism and confirmation may begin at eight years old when the child has sufficient knowledge to become accountable before the Lord and willingly desires to make the covenant. A minor who is not already being raised within a member household may not independently enter the Kingdom. A minor may receive baptism and confirmation for membership only when their parents have entered the Kingdom, have accepted its laws as binding, are living them, and are teaching them within the home. Otherwise the minor must wait until eighteen years of age, when they may choose for themselves whether to enter.

Any person eighteen years of age or older who is personally called by Jesus Christ and is otherwise prepared may enter the Kingdom without first being married and without another family member entering with them. Adults may therefore enter individually, as a couple, or together with their family. Marriage is not a requirement for baptism, confirmation, or membership. The requirement of a husband and wife entering together applies later to the Alliance Sealing and does not prevent an unmarried adult from becoming a member of the Kingdom.

Baptism and confirmation are closely connected, but they establish distinct things.

Baptism is the covenant witness by which a person entering the Kingdom declares before God that they have chosen Jesus Christ as Lord, take upon themselves His name, will always remember Him, will keep His commandments, and willingly receive and obey the laws He has established for the Kingdom of Zion. It is the appointed gateway into this covenant kingdom.

After baptism, those who are in authority lay their hands upon the baptized person's head and, through a blessing, confirm them to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Kingdom of Zion and of the Kingdom of Zion. They then receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, along with other spiritual gifts that may be given to them during the blessing.

Baptism

Baptism is the first covenant declaration that a person has chosen Jesus Christ as Lord and desires to belong to Him. The Book of Mormon repeatedly presents baptism as a witness before God of a commitment that already exists in the heart.

At the waters of Mormon, Alma taught those who desired to come into the fold of God that they were to bear one another's burdens, mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things, and in all places. He then invited them to be baptized as a witness that they had entered into a covenant with God to serve Him and keep His commandments (Mosiah 18:8–13).

King Limhi's people likewise entered the water after they had already covenanted to serve God and keep His commandments. Their baptism became the witness and testimony that they were willing to serve Him with all their hearts (Mosiah 21:31–35).

Nephi teaches the same principle through the baptism of Jesus Christ. Though the Savior was without sin, He was baptized to witness before the Father that He would be obedient in keeping His commandments. Nephi then teaches disciples to follow the Son with full purpose of heart, take upon themselves the name of Christ, and keep His commandments (2 Nephi 31:4–13).

Moroni likewise records that those received unto baptism had repented, taken upon themselves the name of Christ, and shown a determination to serve Him to the end (Moroni 6:1–4).

Baptism therefore does not mean that a person already understands every commandment, covenant, sacrifice, or stewardship Jesus Christ may later reveal. The fundamental promise is that Jesus Christ is their Lord. When He gives greater light, they receive it; when He corrects them, they repent; when He gives commandments, they obey; and when following Him becomes difficult or costly, they continue following Him.

Faith in God and Jesus Christ

A person entering baptism should have faith in God the Eternal Father, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

They should believe that the Eternal Father is an all-knowing and all-powerful God who loves His children perfectly; that they are His literal spirit children, whom He sent to earth for their learning, growth, and eternal progression, that they might become like unto Him in all righteousness; and that He desires their well-being, eternal happiness, and joy.

They should believe that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for them, to satisfy the demands of justice for their sins, and to conquer death, so that through Him they may return to live with God again in glory and righteousness after their mortal probation. Through Jesus Christ, they may rise in the Millennium, being cleansed and perfected by Him, and receive glorified and celestial bodies in the Resurrection, that they may return to the presence of God and live with Him in a state of never-ending happiness throughout all eternity.

They should believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer, whose Atonement, death, and Resurrection make repentance, redemption, resurrection, and eternal life possible.

They should also believe in the Holy Ghost as a member of the Godhead who serves God the Eternal Father in perfectness, bears witness of His Son, Jesus Christ, and testifies of all truth.

Repentance, Agency, and Readiness

A person is to enter baptism freely, with a clear mind, full purpose of heart, a broken heart, and a contrite spirit. Baptism is not to be received because of pressure, fear, manipulation, dependency, or confusion. The person must understand the covenant they are entering and choose for themselves to make it before God.

Repentance precedes baptism. A person does not enter the waters of baptism expecting the ordinance to perform repentance for them or to wash away sins that they have not already repented of. They come having turned toward Jesus Christ, having sought and received a remission of their sins through His redeeming power, and knowing in their heart that they have been forgiven.

They then choose baptism as a witness before God that they desire to become a new person in Christ, to turn their life over to God, to belong to Him forever, and to no longer walk according to their own way or selfish desires.

The Law of Sacrifice and Preparing for Baptism

From the days of Adam, the Lord has required His people to learn the law of sacrifice. A person preparing for baptism must begin to learn this law by examining their life before God and placing upon the altar whatever is contrary to His commandments. In this preparation, the sacrifice is sin and uncleanness. The person must be willing to surrender what is out of alignment with the Lord and allow it to be completely consumed rather than knowingly preserving it while entering and making covenants with Him.

This does not mean that a person must be flawless before baptism. It means that they must be willing to give up what the Lord requires and actually forsake known practices that are contrary to His law. This may include dishonesty, stealing, hatred, failure to put God first, violations of the law of chastity or the Word of Wisdom, failure to keep the Sabbath holy, or other practices that are contrary to the commandments of God. The requirements that follow help the person examine the different areas of their life that must be brought into order before baptism.

Requirements for Entering the Kingdom of Zion

Covenant Allegiance to the Kingdom of Zion

Membership in the Kingdom of Zion requires more than admiration for its ideals. Those who enter are to seek their own witness from Jesus Christ that He is calling them into this work and are to come freely, with a clear mind and real intent. The person is also to have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of the work through which the Kingdom of Zion has been established.

Jesus Christ is the High King of Zion, and every mortal authority remains beneath Him and accountable to Him. The King of Zion and his counselors hold the kingdom-wide stewardship to receive governing revelation for the law and administration of the Kingdom, while personal revelation remains within the stewardship God has actually given to the individual. Members receive this lawful order, refuse rebellion against it, and place their allegiance in Jesus Christ and the Kingdom He has called them to enter.

Membership in this Kingdom is exclusive. A person may not enter the Kingdom of Zion while retaining membership or covenant allegiance in another church, religious body, or ecclesiastical organization. The Kingdom does not recognize dual membership or divided institutional citizenship. A person who chooses to become a member of the Kingdom of Zion must relinquish membership in every other church or religious organization before being confirmed as a member here. This does not declare another authorized stewardship false, erase the good received there, or invalidate ordinances that Jesus Christ previously authorized and that remain valid before Him. It establishes which covenant body the person has now chosen to belong to and under which ecclesiastical order they will live.

The requirement is one of covenant allegiance and order. No man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). A person entering Zion must therefore choose which covenant body they will belong to and may not claim simultaneous institutional membership in competing religious kingdoms. Having chosen the Kingdom of Zion, they are expected to receive its lawful government, live its laws, and remain faithful to the stewardship Jesus Christ has established within it.

Personal Worship and Relationship with Jesus Christ

Every member is required to develop a real and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Members are to seek Him through sincere prayer, scripture study, and personal revelation according to their age and ability. Children who are able to read are to practice personal prayer and scripture study, while all members are to participate faithfully in the prayer, scripture study, and spiritual instruction belonging to their household and stewardship, including family prayer morning and night and regular family scripture study.

Worship is not merely completing a routine. Its purpose is to learn to hear, remember, and obey the Lord and to order daily life so that His presence and direction are continually sought.

Christlike Conduct

Members are to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in private and public. They are to repent when they do wrong, walk in humility, forgive, show mercy, serve, seek reconciliation, care for those in need, do good to those who mistreat them, and refuse cruelty, abuse, exploitation, or deliberate rebellion against the teachings of Christ.

Membership therefore requires more than avoiding serious wrongdoing. A disciple of Jesus Christ is expected to become actively engaged in doing good and to allow the teachings of Jesus Christ to govern how they treat other people.

Truth, Speech, and Personal Integrity

Members are to be truthful in their words, actions, records, promises, claims, and dealings. They are not to lie, cheat, steal, deceive, create false impressions, conceal wrongdoing, dishonestly omit material truth, or take what does not belong to them.

Speech is to remain clean and governed. Profanity, vulgarity, gossip, slander, false accusation, contempt, and speech intended to wound, manipulate, or humiliate are contrary to the law of Christ. Members are also to keep their word and correct falsehood or injury where they have caused it.

The Law of Chastity

Members are required to live the Law of Chastity in their thoughts, desires, words, and actions. An unwanted sexual thought or temptation is not itself sin, but a person is not to knowingly welcome, entertain, seek out, rehearse, fantasize about, or nourish sexual thoughts and desires outside the boundaries God has established.

Those who are unmarried are to abstain from sexual relations, sexual touching, masturbation, and other conduct intended to arouse or satisfy sexual desire. Pornography, sexual media, deliberate sexual fantasy, and knowingly entertaining unlawful sexual thoughts or desires are prohibited whether a person is married or unmarried.

Those who are lawfully married are to keep their sexual relations, desires, affections, thoughts, words, and conduct wholly within their marriage. They are to remain completely faithful to their spouse in body, heart, affection, communication, thought, and desire, refusing pornography, sexual fantasy concerning another person, flirtation, emotional infidelity, or any deliberate cultivation of romantic or sexual desire outside the marriage.

Sexual intimacy is also to remain sacred and private. Nude, sexually revealing, or sexually explicit images, videos, recordings, messages, or other representations of oneself or a spouse are not to be created, requested, possessed, stored, transmitted, or preserved. In all circumstances, sexuality is to be governed by fidelity, holiness, charity, mutual consent, tenderness, sacred privacy, purity of heart, and self-government.

Self-Government of Thoughts and Emotions

Members are responsible before God for governing their thoughts, emotions, reactions, impulses, and inward responses. An unwanted thought or sudden emotion is not itself sin, but a person becomes accountable for what they knowingly welcome, feed, rehearse, protect, excuse, or choose to act upon.

Pride, jealousy, envy, resentment, revenge, contempt, manipulation, uncontrolled anger, emotional punishment, and other unrighteous inward responses are not to govern a disciple. Strong emotion does not excuse sin. Members may feel pain, seek help, speak truth, set righteous boundaries, and pursue protection where needed, but they remain responsible for governing their own response and seeking repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace.

Media, Entertainment, Technology, and the Use of Time

Members are accountable for the media, entertainment, technology, and influences they knowingly bring into their minds and lives. Content that knowingly feeds vulgarity, cruelty, rebellion, pride, comparison, resentment, addiction, spiritual numbness, or other corruption is to be refused.

Technology and entertainment are to remain servants rather than masters. Endless scrolling, compulsive gaming, binge-watching, constant passive consumption, idle browsing, and similar habits are not to govern the time or attention of a disciple or displace worship, sleep, work, learning, family responsibility, health, service, or other righteous duties.

Time itself is a stewardship. Members are to live deliberately and give proper place to worship, labor, learning, service, health, family, wholesome recreation, and rest.

The Sabbath Day

Every member is required to keep the Sabbath holy by gathering with the Church and worthily partaking of the sacrament; personally seeking and obeying the Lord; resting from unnecessary labor and the burdens of the week; and spending meaningful, peaceful, and unhurried time strengthening righteous family relationships.

Necessary care, emergencies, and doing good remain lawful, but ordinary work, shopping, worldly entertainment, projects, and busyness are not to displace the purposes of the day.

The Word of Wisdom and Bodily Stewardship

The Word of Wisdom is the Lord's law of health and bodily holiness and is required of members of the Kingdom of Zion. The body is a sacred stewardship and is not to be polluted, abused, neglected, idolized, or brought into bondage through harmful substances, addiction, gluttony, uncleanness, careless living, or undisciplined appetite.

Members are to use food and drink with wisdom and gratitude, are not to consume strong drinks of any kind, limit their use of sugar and caffeine, practice moderation and self-government, maintain reasonable hygiene and cleanliness, receive regular and proper sleep, reasonable daily exercise, care for their bodies, obtain needed medical and mental-health care, and keep themselves sober, useful, and fit for the service of the Lord.

Medication is to be used for legitimate medical need and not abused for intoxication, escape, indulgence, or avoidable dependency. The body and gender God has given are to be received with gratitude. Appearance, cosmetics, filters, procedures, and other alterations are not to become instruments of vanity, deception, self-rejection, or an attempt to become a different gender. Bodily stewardship is to remain governed by truth, modesty, health, gratitude, and holiness.

Existing Responsibilities

Membership in Zion does not erase responsibilities that already belong to a person. Financial, parental, legal, marital, employment, family, and other lawful obligations are to be fulfilled honestly.

Adults with obligations to a spouse, former spouse, children, dependents, creditors, employers, or others are to be faithful in those responsibilities. Children and youth remain responsible for the duties that properly belong to their age and stewardship under their parents or lawful guardians.

Baptism Required for Entrance into the Kingdom of Zion

Every person who newly enters the Kingdom of Zion is required to receive baptism by water through the authority Jesus Christ has given for this Kingdom and afterward be confirmed as a member. This requirement applies whether the person has never previously been baptized or has already received a valid baptism through another stewardship authorized by Jesus Christ.

A previous baptism performed by proper authority is not declared false, void, or meaningless by this requirement. The priesthood authority restored through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is recognized as genuine, and baptism received there through proper authority remains a real ordinance before God. The requirement to receive baptism when entering the Kingdom of Zion serves the additional purpose the Lord has now appointed for membership in this Kingdom.

Baptism is the outward sign, witness, and token before God that the person is willingly entering the Kingdom of Zion, choosing to belong to this covenant body, receiving the laws that govern it, and covenanting to obey Jesus Christ in all that He requires within this stewardship. The ordinance therefore preserves all of its other sacred meanings while also functioning as the appointed gateway into this Kingdom. It witnesses faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, willingness to take His name, death and burial of the former life, resurrection into new life, and the determination to follow Him to the end.

Scripture shows that the Lord may require baptism when opening a new covenant administration even where a person has previously received an earlier baptism. Those who had received John's baptism were afterward baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:1–6). When the restored Church was established, the Lord likewise required those entering the new and everlasting covenant to enter through the baptism He had appointed rather than relying only upon former baptisms (Doctrine and Covenants 22:1–4). The governing question is not whether every former ordinance was false, but what ordinance the Lord requires for entrance into the covenant body He has now established.

A person preparing to enter must first repent and make the sacrifices required of the Lord. They must examine their life, place upon the altar those things that are contrary to His law, forsake the evil practices of the world, and turn their life over to Jesus Christ. Where repentance requires time, they must show forth fruit meet for repentance and demonstrate through their conduct that the former practices have actually been forsaken.

When serious sin is involved, the person must complete the formal repentance requirements established under Serious Sin and Readiness for Baptism before baptism may occur.

When they have repented, made the required sacrifices, brought their life into conformity with the laws of the Kingdom of Zion, and accepted the exclusive covenant allegiance required of membership, they may receive baptism and afterward be confirmed as a member of the Kingdom of Zion. If they refuse to forsake what the Lord requires them to give up, retain divided religious membership, or refuse the laws that govern the Kingdom, they are not prepared or fit to enter it.

This does not require mortal perfection. A person may still have weaknesses, temptations, and areas in which they are growing. What is required is that they are living according to the laws required of members of the Kingdom of Zion and are not knowingly retaining practices or competing allegiances that violate the covenant they are preparing to make. Baptism witnesses that a person has surrendered their life to Jesus Christ. There is no purpose in receiving that ordinance while deliberately holding back what He has required them to place upon the altar.

Previously Received Endowment and Couple Sealing

The requirement to receive baptism and confirmation for membership in the Kingdom of Zion does not require every ordinance previously received through proper priesthood authority to be repeated. Ordinances are governed according to the purpose and covenant for which the Lord established them.

The initiatory and endowment are not ordinances of membership in the Kingdom of Zion. They belong to the individual's salvation covenant and preparation to enter the presence of God. If a person has already validly received the initiatory and endowment through proper priesthood authority and has remained true and faithful to those covenants, they do not receive those ordinances again merely because they enter the Kingdom of Zion. Their prior covenants remain in force.

The Couple Sealing likewise is not an ordinance of Church membership. It seals a husband and wife to one another for eternity and establishes their permanent Household Kingdom. A husband and wife who have already received a valid eternal sealing through proper priesthood authority do not repeat the Couple Sealing merely because they enter the Kingdom of Zion, provided that sealing remains valid before God and they have remained true and faithful to its covenant.

Baptism and confirmation are different because the Lord has appointed them as the ordinances by which a person enters and is received into this covenant kingdom. A person may therefore enter the Kingdom of Zion by receiving baptism and confirmation while continuing to honor valid salvation and sealing ordinances previously received through another authorized stewardship. The new membership covenant does not erase what Jesus Christ previously authorized; it establishes the person's present membership and allegiance within the stewardship He has now called them to enter.

Serious Sin and Readiness for Baptism

Serious sin is incompatible with membership in the Kingdom of Zion and in the Lord’s Church. If a member commits serious sin, they automatically lose their membership and standing in the covenant body. They must work with the bishop through the repentance process before they may receive baptism and be restored to membership.

A person who is seeking to enter the Kingdom of Zion and has committed serious sin must likewise work through the bishop throughout the repentance process. No person may privately determine that serious sin has been fully resolved, that sufficient repentance has occurred, or that they are ready to receive baptism.

Serious sin includes grave violations of the laws of God that involve sexual immorality, serious dishonesty, abuse, violence, exploitation, criminal conduct, serious misuse of authority or stewardship, or other conduct that causes serious harm or demonstrates serious rebellion against the commandments of God.

This includes, but is not limited to:

adultery;
fornication and other serious sexual sin;
abuse of any kind, including physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual, financial, child, elder, or vulnerable-person abuse;
violence, sexual predation, coercion, intimidation, or exploitation;
theft, fraud, or other serious dishonesty;
breaking the laws of the land;
serious misuse of authority or stewardship;
conduct that seriously endangers or injures another person; and
other serious violations of God’s law that require formal repentance under the bishop’s stewardship.

There is zero tolerance in Zion for abuse or serious sin. Serious wrongdoing is not to be excused, concealed, normalized, minimized, or permitted to remain within the covenant body. This does not mean that repentance and restoration are impossible. It means that a person who commits serious sin must leave the sin completely behind and demonstrate through repentance that they are again prepared to live according to the law of the Kingdom of Zion.

Where abuse, criminal conduct, danger, or other conduct requiring civil accountability is involved, the repentance process does not replace the law of the land. Protection of those who have been harmed comes first. Lawful reporting, investigation, restitution, protective measures, sentencing, and other just consequences are to proceed according to law. No claim of repentance, forgiveness, priesthood authority, confidentiality, or ecclesiastical process may be used to shield criminal conduct or abuse from lawful accountability.

This order is important because serious repentance involves more than a person’s own judgment concerning their sincerity or forgiveness. Serious sin may require confession, reconciliation, restitution, lawful consequences, protective restrictions, a sustained period of changed conduct, and sufficient fruits of repentance. A person may sincerely believe they have repented while still overlooking something that must be confessed, corrected, restored, submitted to, or demonstrated through continued faithfulness.

Jesus Christ alone grants remission of sins, cleanses the sinner, and changes the heart. The bishop does not forgive sin in Christ’s place. The bishop holds the stewardship to guide the repentance process, determine what requirements remain unresolved, observe the fruits of repentance, and seek the Lord’s direction concerning when the person is prepared to return.

A person who has committed serious sin must forsake that sin and remain clean from it for a full year before membership may be restored. During that year, they are to meet with the bishop as directed and demonstrate through sustained conduct that their repentance is genuine. The year is not merely a waiting period. It is a period in which the former sin must remain forsaken and the fruits of a changed life must become evident.

The passage of one year does not automatically restore membership or establish readiness for baptism. The required repentance, confession, reconciliation, restitution, lawful consequences, and other necessary correction must also have been completed or faithfully satisfied according to the circumstances. The person must have demonstrated sufficient fruits meet for repentance, and the bishop must receive the Lord’s direction that the person is ready.

Only then may the person receive baptism and afterward be confirmed again as a member of the Lord’s Church and the Kingdom of Zion.

The standard is intentionally high because Zion is to be established according to the law of the celestial kingdom. The Kingdom does not lower the Lord’s standards to conform to the ways of the world. Those who desire to enter Zion must leave the ways of the world behind, forsake sin, become clean through Jesus Christ, and learn to live according to the holiness required of His covenant people.

The Repentance Process

Repentance requires a real change of heart and life. A person preparing for baptism should:

Honestly acknowledge their sins — They must recognize what they have done without hiding it, minimizing it, blaming others, or attempting to justify themselves.
Turn to Jesus Christ and forsake the sin — They must desire to leave the sin behind, cease doing it, and turn their heart and life toward Jesus Christ with full purpose of heart.
Practice the law of sacrifice — They must examine their life against the requirements of the Lord, place upon the altar whatever is contrary to His law, and actually give it up. Known sin and uncleanness are not to be knowingly preserved while preparing to enter and make covenants through baptism.
Confess serious sins to the bishop — Serious sins must be confessed and worked through with the bishop according to the requirements established under Serious Sin and Readiness for Baptism. The person may not determine their own readiness for baptism after serious sin.
Be reconciled and make restitution — Whenever another person has been wronged, the individual must seek to be reconciled to them and make restitution for the harm they caused. They should restore what was taken, repair what was damaged, correct what can be corrected, and make right what can reasonably be made right. The Lord taught:

“First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.” —3 Nephi 12:24

Satisfy the just consequences of serious wrongdoing — Mercy cannot rob justice. When serious wrongdoing has occurred, the person must confess it to the proper authorities, accept responsibility for what they have done, and submit to whatever just consequences the law requires. Repentance does not remove lawful accountability. If the wrongdoing justly requires punishment, that punishment must be fulfilled. The Lord taught that if a person is justly cast into prison:

“Thou shalt by no means come out thence until thou hast paid the uttermost senine.” —3 Nephi 12:26

Seek forgiveness and a change of heart from God — Restitution and punishment do not themselves cleanse a person from sin. Cleansing and remission come through Jesus Christ. The person must humble themselves before God, seek His forgiveness as well as those they have harmed, surrender their will to Him, and allow Him to change their heart and desires.
Demonstrate that repentance is genuine — The person must continue faithfully in the changed course of life, showing through their choices and conduct that the former sin has been forsaken and that they are prepared to live according to the covenant they desire to make. This includes showing forth fruit meet for repentance through continued conduct sufficient to demonstrate that the former practices have actually been forsaken.

The Baptismal Covenant

Through baptism, the disciple witnesses before God that they have chosen Jesus Christ, take His name upon themselves, desire to belong to Him, and covenant to serve Him and keep His commandments throughout their life.

The covenant includes bearing the burdens of others that they may be light, mourning with those who mourn, comforting those who stand in need of comfort, and standing as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places.

The covenant also reaches beyond what the disciple presently understands. King Benjamin's people expressed this willingness by covenanting to do God's will and obey His commandments in all things He would command them throughout the remainder of their lives (Mosiah 5:5). Baptism therefore establishes continuing allegiance to Jesus Christ as greater light is received.

The Meaning of Baptism and Taking the Name of Jesus Christ

Baptism is a witness before God of the covenant the disciple is making with Him. The water is symbolic and does not itself remove or wash away sins. Redemption and cleansing come only through the blood and Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The promise of resurrection comes through the priesthood power given to Jesus Christ by the Eternal Father. Through that power, death is overcome and all mankind may rise again.

The Holy Ghost guides, sanctifies, and directs the soul to come unto Jesus Christ, that through His redeeming power they may be cleansed, made holy, and prepared to return to the presence of God.

Immersion in water symbolizes death and burial, while rising from the water symbolizes the resurrection and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Baptism therefore witnesses both what Jesus Christ has done for the disciple and the disciple's decision to follow Him.

Taking upon oneself the name of Christ also begins the disciple's covenant betrothal to Him. The disciple identifies whose people they have chosen to become, whose voice they intend to follow, and under whose headship they intend to live. They begin preparing faithfully for the day when Christ receives His covenant people as His bride.

Interview Questions for Baptism

Worthiness does not require mortal perfection. A person may experience temptation, weakness, unwanted thoughts, difficult emotions, or continuing areas of growth and still be worthy. What matters is honesty before God, sincere repentance, obedience to the light presently received, and the absence of sin or rebellion that the person is knowingly concealing, defending, or intending to continue.

Eligibility to Enter the Kingdom

If you are eighteen years of age or older, are you choosing for yourself to enter the Kingdom of Zion freely and knowingly?
If you are under eighteen years of age, are your parents already members of the Kingdom of Zion, living its laws, and teaching those laws within your home, and do you personally desire to receive baptism and become a member?
Do you understand that marriage is not required for baptism, confirmation, or membership, but that a husband and wife are required later in order to progress together into the Alliance Sealing?

Faith in God and Jesus Christ

Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and do you believe that He is your Savior and Redeemer, with power to cleanse you from sin and raise you from death in the resurrection?

Repentance, Agency, and Readiness

Are you seeking baptism freely, with a clear mind, full purpose of heart, and without coercion?
Have you sincerely repented of your sins, and, if serious sin has been committed, have you completed the required repentance process with the bishop and been approved by him as ready to receive baptism?
Having examined yourself honestly before God, including your repentance, intentions, and freedom to choose, do you consider yourself worthy and prepared to enter the waters of baptism?

The Baptismal Covenant

Is it the sincere desire of your heart to choose Jesus Christ as your Lord, enter into covenant with Him, take His name upon yourself, and serve and follow Him throughout your life?
Are you willing to keep the commandments of Jesus Christ according to the light you have received and to continue receiving His word throughout your life, repenting, changing, and obeying whenever He gives you greater light or requires more of you?
Are you willing to bear the burdens of others that they may be light, mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places?

The Meaning of Baptism and Taking the Name of Jesus Christ

Do you understand that baptism witnesses your covenant with Jesus Christ, that immersion symbolizes death and burial, and that rising from the water symbolizes resurrection and new life?
Do you understand that redemption and cleansing come through Jesus Christ and the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost rather than through the water itself?
If you have previously received baptism through proper priesthood authority, do you understand that this baptism does not declare that ordinance false, but is the witness and token appointed for your entrance into the Kingdom of Zion and your covenant to live its laws?
Do you understand that taking upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ begins your covenant betrothal to Him, and are you willing to prepare throughout your life to receive Him as your covenant Head and Bridegroom?

Confirmation

Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost

After baptism, the disciple receives the Gift of the Holy Ghost through confirmation. This gift is not merely a brief spiritual feeling or an addition to the baptismal ceremony. It gives the covenant disciple the right to seek the continuing companionship and ministry of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost bears witness of Jesus Christ, teaches truth, enlightens the mind, warns, comforts, corrects, sanctifies, and gives revelation and divine impressions according to the will of God. Through His companionship, the disciple begins learning to live by continuing revelation rather than relying only upon the faith, judgment, or spiritual direction of another person.

Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost does not mean that every thought, feeling, dream, desire, or impression automatically comes from God. The disciple must learn His voice. That discernment develops through prayer, scripture, repentance, humility, obedience, experience, and careful attention to the fruits of what is received.

The gift must also be honored. When warning and correction are continually ignored, a person becomes less responsive to the light being given. When the disciple makes space in their lives to hear, receive the light, test it righteously, and obey, spiritual sensitivity increases and the person becomes more capable of recognizing and following the Lord.

Confirmation as a Member of the Kingdom of Zion

Confirmation also receives the baptized disciple as a member of the Kingdom of Zion. Membership establishes obligations that belong to the person because they have chosen to become part of Christ's covenant kingdom.

Members are required to live honestly before God, repent when they fall short, refuse deliberate rebellion, and sincerely strive to live the laws and standards that presently apply to them.

Readiness to Be Confirmed as a Member of the Kingdom of Zion

To be confirmed as a member of the Kingdom of Zion is to accept the requirements of membership as binding rather than as optional ideals. A person entering membership should do so with an honest intention to live these requirements faithfully and to repent when they fall short.

Interview Questions for Confirmation

Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost

Do you desire to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost and seek His continuing companionship?
Will you make time in your life to hear the Lord and follow His directions?
Are you willing to learn to recognize, test, follow, and obey the Holy Ghost's revelation, warning, correction, comfort, and truth so that He may sanctify and lead you throughout your life?