that after man has developed faith in God, and has repented of
his sins, he will be eager to find a means of demonstrating his
sincerity; and this means is found in the requirement concerning
baptism as essential to entrance into the Church, and as a means
whereby remission of sins may be obtained. As to the mode of
baptism, the Church affirms that immersion alone is the one
method sanctioned by scripture, and that this mode has been
expressly prescribed by revelation in the present dispensation.

Water baptism, then, becomes a basic principle and the first
essential ordinance of the gospel. It is to be administered by
one having authority; and that authority rests in the Priesthood
given of God. Following baptism by water, comes the ordinance of
the bestowal of the Holy Ghost by the authorized imposition of
hands, which constitutes the true baptism of the Spirit. These
requirements, designated specifically the "first principles and
ordinances of the gospel," "Mormonism" claims to be absolutely
essential to membership in the Church of Christ, and this without
modification or qualification as to the time at which the
individual lived in mortality.

Then with propriety it may be asked:--What shall become of those
who lived and died while the Priesthood was not operative upon
the earth?--those who have worked out their mortal probation
during the ages of the great apostasy? Furthermore, what shall
be the destiny of those who, though living in a time of spiritual
light, perhaps had not the opportunity of learning and obeying
the gospel requirements? Here again the inherent justice of
"Mormon" philosophy shows itself in the doctrine of salvation for
the dead. No distinction is made between the living and the dead