History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

THE MORMON CREED.
hands for the gift of the holy ghost. We believe in
the same organization and powers that existed in
when I administered to them, and they should be healed.' He also said unto
me: "As long as you will keep that handkerchief, it shall remain a league
between you and me." I went with the man, and did as the prophet commanded
me, and the children were healed. I have possession of the handkerchief
unto this day [1881].' Leaves from my Journal, 65. F. D. Richards,
who had been sick for several months, was baptized, anointed, and confirmed;
immediately after which he was restored to health. Some time afterward,
being then an elder, he cured a severe toothache by touching the tooth with
his finger. Narrative, MS., 15-16. Mrs Richards' brother, afterward Elder
Snyder, was raised from a sick-bed after having been baptized and administered
to by Elder John E. Page. Mrs Richards was taken by her brother
from a sick-bed to a lake from the surface of which ice more than a foot thick
had been removed, and there baptized, whereupon she immediately recovered.
Similar cases might be given by the score.
Baptism for the dead is first alluded to by the prophet, who, in a revelation
dated Jan. 19, 1S41, declares, 'A baptismal font there is not upon the
earth, that they, my saints, may be baptized for those who are dead.' It is
intimated that a reasonable time will be allowed in which to build a temple
and a permanent font, and that during this time a temporary substitute
for the font may be employed; but after the completion of the temple, no
baptisms for the dead will be of avail unless conducted within the building.
See Doctrine and Covenants, 392, 395. Brigham says he first heard of
the new doctrine when he was in Europe (1S40), and that he believed in it
before anything was said or done about it in the church. Times and Seasons,
vi. 954. "Daniel Tyler says the doctrine was first taught in Nauvoo, although
Joseph told some of the elders in Kirtland that it was part of the gospel, and
would yet be practised as such. Juvenile Instructor, xv. 56. He also says
that before other provision was made, many were baptized in the Mississippi
River. The first baptismal font, a temporary structure, intended for use only
until the completion of the temple, was erected in the basement of that building,
and dedicated on Nov. 8, 1841, Joseph being present and Brigham delivering
the address. Joseph thus describes the font: It is constructed of pine
staves, tongued and grooved, and is oval-shaped", 'sixteen feet long east and
west, and twelve feet wide, seven feet high from the foundation, the basin
four feet deep; the mouldings of the cap and base are formed of beautiful
carved work in antique style. The sides are finished with panel-work. A
flight of stairs in the north and south sides lead up and down into the
basin, guarded by a side railing. The font stands upon twelve oxen, four on
each side and two at each end, their heads, shoulders, and fore legs projecting
out from under the font; they are carved out of oak plank, glued together,
and copied after the most beautfful five-year-old steer that could be found in
the country, and they are an excellent striking likeness of the original; the
horns were geometrically formed after the most perfect horn that could be
procured. The oxen and the mouldings were carved by Elder Elijah Fordham,
from the city of New York, the work occupying eight months. The
whole was enclosed in a temporary frame building.' Mil. Star, xviii. 744. On
Sept. 6, 1S42, Joseph writes to the church that all baptisms must be recorded
by a person appointed for the purpose, and whose duty it \yill be to
note every detail of the ceremony in each case. One of the officials is to
be appointed in each ward, and his returns properly certified to are to be
forwarded to the general recorder, who will enter them on the church records,
together with the names of all witnesses, etc., and finally add his own certificate
as to the genuineness of the signature of the ward recorder. This detail
is necessary for the proper identification hereafter of those baptized, for the
authority for which the prophet quotes Revelations, xx. 12. 'And I saw the
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