Baptism Question

I'll preface by saying I used the search function and could not find an answer...

I have a member with a child that is approaching 8, and is scheduled to be baptized next moth. However, this member would like their child baptized in another ward while they are on vacation. Can that be done? If so who does the interview and who fills out the forms? I know we should input the records when it's done, but how do we know if it was witnessed properly? Any help would be great thanks.

The Bishop in the home Ward does the interviews, and can authorize the Baptism to be done in another Ward. In cases I've been involved with in the past, the Bishop in the Home Ward would talk to the Bishop in the vacation Ward to make sure they were on the same page, then the Bishop in the vacation Ward would take over and see that it was done.

If the person performing the baptism is from the
home ward, then prior to the vacation a local Bishop
can interview the man and fill out a form called
a "Recommend to perform an Ordinance" or something
like that to take with him to show the Vacation Bishop.

Most Vacation Bishops will accept a valid temple recommend
in lieu of such a recommend, but this form is for those that are
more by-the-book.

If the baptism doesn't show up within a month after their vacation,
be sure to call the family and get all the details so you can record
it. You'd be surprised how often Vacation baptisms aren't recorded.
Printing a blank Baptism form for the family to take with them and
fill out at the time of the baptism can really simplify matters.
Especially with the spelling and priesthood office
of out-of-unit members doing the baptism and/or confirmation.

- Atticus Ewig

atticusewig wrote:...If the baptism doesn't show up within a month after their vacation, be sure to call the family and get all the details so you can record it. You'd be surprised how often Vacation baptisms aren't recorded.- Atticus Ewig

The vacation ward would not be able to record the baptism as they do not have the records. Information regarding the details of the ordinance should be returned to the home ward where it would be recorded. Followup here is important to insure that the recording of the ordinance takes place.

The Baptism and Confirmation Record form in MLS is used for collecting information for converts, children of record, re-creation of records. If it were me and assuming that I am the one that will perform the ordinance, I would ask my bishop to provide me with that completed and signed form to show that the interview has taken place.

I would then take that form along with a completed Recommend to Perform an Ordinance form or my current Temple Recommend with me, and present them to the bishop at the other ward.

Following the baptism and confirmation, I would ask that the relevant ordinance information be recorded on the baptismal form, and request a Baptism and Confirmation Certificate signed by that bishop.

Since the other ward does not have the ability to record the ordinance for a member not in their MLS database, I would then present the completed form and certificate to my bishop or ward clerk so that the ordinance can be recorded in MLS.

atticusewig wrote:If the person performing the baptism is from the home ward, then prior to the vacation a local Bishop can interview the man and fill out a form called a "Recommend to perform an Ordinance" or something like that to take with him to show the Vacation Bishop.

Most Vacation Bishops will accept a valid temple recommend in lieu of such a recommend, but this form is for those that are more by-the-book.

If the baptism doesn't show up within a month after their vacation, be sure to call the family and get all the details so you can record it. You'd be surprised how often Vacation baptisms aren't recorded. Printing a blank Baptism form for the family to take with them and fill out at the time of the baptism can really simplify matters. Especially with the spelling and priesthood office of out-of-unit members doing the baptism and/or confirmation.

There are actually two home ward bishop's authorizations that need to take place one for the child of record and one for the priesthood holder. If done by the book, the home ward bishop should complete the baptism recommend form and the recommend to perform an ordinance (probably not the official names, but you get the idea). But as stated, a valid temple recommend can replace the form for the baptizer, and for either one, a call from the host ward bishop to the home ward bishop may suffice.

rodzen wrote:I have a member with a child that is approaching 8, and is scheduled to be baptized next moth. However, this member would like their child baptized in another ward while they are on vacation. Can that be done? If so who does the interview and who fills out the forms? I know we should input the records when it's done, but how do we know if it was witnessed properly? Any help would be great thanks.

Since we went through this process Saturday with my youngest, here's the process we went through. There aren't any pronouncements of doctrine here and I'm not near a handbook today, so this is just to give you something to think about. Doing this can involve a fair amount of legwork.

• Our bishop interviewed her for baptism, authorized us to go ahead with the baptism, and gave us the white copy of the baptism recommend/record with his signature
• We talked to the bishop of the "vacation" ward (my parents' ward, in this case), who referred us to the high councilor responsible for Primary
• He contacted the stake president in that stake, who authorized him to let us use the building after my parents' bishop talked to my bishop
• My bishop called my parents' bishop and they chatted
• The high councilor coordinated with the bishop to get keys to the bishop (my parents' ward meets in a different building) and arrange to have the font filled
• I gave my parents' bishop the baptism record and my temple recommend -- We didn't fill out a recommend to perform an ordinance when we got the baptism recommend, but could have, and the bishops had talked on the telephone. I think there are written instructions that allow either recommend to be used.
• She was baptized
• I now have a completed baptism record that I will deliver to the home ward clerk when we get back

This is the third time we have had a child baptized "away from home," and the key steps of the process in every case have been:

• Home ward bishop interviews and authorizes the baptism to proceed, since he holds those keys
• Someone presides at the baptism at makes sure that ...
• The baptism is performed properly
• The appropriate documentation is returned to the home ward clerk to be recorded

(Would normally check handbook here, but I'm going out on a limb.) It doesn't have to be the bishop that presides. In one case, our bishop had me preside at the service because he couldn't be there. Having been through it both ways, I truly appreciate my parents' bishop showing up and coordinating the service so that I only had to worry about being the dad.

scgallafent wrote:I gave my parents' bishop the baptism record and my temple recommend -- We didn't fill out a recommend to perform an ordinance when we got the baptism recommend, but could have, and the bishops had talked on the telephone. I think there are written instructions that allow either recommend to be used.

A temple recommend is sufficient. The Recommend to Perform an Ordinance form is only needed if the priesthood holder does not have a temple recommend.

scgallafent wrote:It doesn't have to be the bishop that presides.

A member of the bishopric normally presides, and he or the ward mission leader conducts. If more than one ward is involved, a member of the stake presidency presides and he or a high councilor conducts. A member of the bishopric from each of the wards involved should be there, too.

And I agree. It is much more fun to just be father and baptize and confirm. Congratulations.

scgallafent wrote:Since we went through this process Saturday with my youngest, here's the process we went through. There aren't any pronouncements of doctrine here and I'm not near a handbook today, so this is just to give you something to think about. Doing this can involve a fair amount of legwork.

• Our bishop interviewed her for baptism, authorized us to go ahead with the baptism, and gave us the white copy of the baptism recommend/record with his signature
• We talked to the bishop of the "vacation" ward (my parents' ward, in this case), who referred us to the high councilor responsible for Primary
• He contacted the stake president in that stake, who authorized him to let us use the building after my parents' bishop talked to my bishop
• My bishop called my parents' bishop and they chatted
• The high councilor coordinated with the bishop to get keys to the bishop (my parents' ward meets in a different building) and arrange to have the font filled
• I gave my parents' bishop the baptism record and my temple recommend -- We didn't fill out a recommend to perform an ordinance when we got the baptism recommend, but could have, and the bishops had talked on the telephone. I think there are written instructions that allow either recommend to be used.
• She was baptized
• I now have a completed baptism record that I will deliver to the home ward clerk when we get back

This is the third time we have had a child baptized "away from home," and the key steps of the process in every case have been:

• Home ward bishop interviews and authorizes the baptism to proceed, since he holds those keys
• Someone presides at the baptism at makes sure that ...
• The baptism is performed properly
• The appropriate documentation is returned to the home ward clerk to be recorded

(Would normally check handbook here, but I'm going out on a limb.) It doesn't have to be the bishop that presides. In one case, our bishop had me preside at the service because he couldn't be there. Having been through it both ways, I truly appreciate my parents' bishop showing up and coordinating the service so that I only had to worry about being the dad.

This pretty much sums it up nicely. I'll check the handbooks to clarify. Thank you all for your quick response.

This may seem like a silly question, but does it matter which ward issues the certificate?

natet wrote:This may seem like a silly question, but does it matter which ward issues the certificate?

Either ward can record the ordinance and/or print the certificate, but in my opinion it is easier and better for the home ward to do both:

• It's best to only print the certificate when the ordinance has been recorded. That way you are printing the certificate of a recorded ordinance, with no chance that the certificate is issued and then someone forgets to record the ordinance, or that the information doesn't match.
• It's easiest for the home ward to record the ordinance and print the certificate, since both functions in MLS allow you to select a member and then much of the information is filled in automatically.
• If you record the ordinance in another ward, you have to fill in ward and stake names and unit numbers and a lot of information about the person being baptized (and who performed the ordinance). This is more work and has a greater possibility for clerical errors.

scgallafent wrote:Since we went through this process Saturday with my youngest, here's the process we went through. There aren't any pronouncements of doctrine here and I'm not near a handbook today, so this is just to give you something to think about. Doing this can involve a fair amount of legwork.

• Our bishop interviewed her for baptism, authorized us to go ahead with the baptism, and gave us the white copy of the baptism recommend/record with his signature
• We talked to the bishop of the "vacation" ward (my parents' ward, in this case), who referred us to the high councilor responsible for Primary
• He contacted the stake president in that stake, who authorized him to let us use the building after my parents' bishop talked to my bishop
• My bishop called my parents' bishop and they chatted
• The high councilor coordinated with the bishop to get keys to the bishop (my parents' ward meets in a different building) and arrange to have the font filled
• I gave my parents' bishop the baptism record and my temple recommend -- We didn't fill out a recommend to perform an ordinance when we got the baptism recommend, but could have, and the bishops had talked on the telephone. I think there are written instructions that allow either recommend to be used.
• She was baptized
• I now have a completed baptism record that I will deliver to the home ward clerk when we get back

This is the third time we have had a child baptized "away from home," and the key steps of the process in every case have been:

• Home ward bishop interviews and authorizes the baptism to proceed, since he holds those keys
• Someone presides at the baptism at makes sure that ...
• The baptism is performed properly
• The appropriate documentation is returned to the home ward clerk to be recorded

(Would normally check handbook here, but I'm going out on a limb.) It doesn't have to be the bishop that presides. In one case, our bishop had me preside at the service because he couldn't be there. Having been through it both ways, I truly appreciate my parents' bishop showing up and coordinating the service so that I only had to worry about being the dad.

We also performed this recently, and we did essentially the same thing. We did include a Recommend to Perform an Ordinance even though the father (who was to do the baptism and confirmation) had a temple recommend. We chose to do so only as a precaution, however. The only other variations we had were:

• I had my bishop sign to the Baptism and Confirmation Record (under the baptism signature) to authorize the ordinances prior to the family leaving. I then instructed the family to have the other bishop sign the Record (under the confirmation signature) after the ordinances were completed to communicate to us that they were performed correctly. I know this isn't exactly how the record is intended to be used, but it was a convenient way for us to communicate and record that things were done in their proper order.
• When I gave the forms to the family, I attached them with a paper clip and included written instructions on what was expected in order to properly record the ordinance. Doing this meant that they would not need to try to remember all the instructions, but could enjoy their vacation without worrying if they did everything right.

Just figured I'd tack that on there for future reference.

Ok, so this may be slightly off-topic, but we blew about an hour and a half on this today…

Not long ago, our Bishop received direction to discard the paper version of the "Recommend to Perform an Ordinance" forms, and fill the one out from MLS instead. We searched high and low throughout MLS and couldn't find this form. In the end I acquired a paper version from another bishop, (the individual does not have a temple recommend, so he can't just use that).

Does anyone know where to find these in MLS?

pdecker wrote:Not long ago, our Bishop received direction to discard the paper version of the "Recommend to Perform an Ordinance" forms, and fill the one out from MLS instead.

Does anyone know where to find these in MLS?

The form is not in MLS. Perhaps someone confused the block on the Recommend for Baptism form where you can list the person who will perform the baptism, but that is not the same thing.

If your stake is accepting that as an adequate recommend to perform an ordinance, I suppose your stake president has approved that procedure. Otherwise, I would suggest that your bishop return to the person who gave the direction and ask for specific details on the process that is to be followed and where to obtain the Recommend to Perform an Ordinance form, which will not be from MLS.

pdecker wrote:Does anyone know where to find these in MLS?

As lajackson said, it's not in MLS, but the Recommend to Perform an Ordinance can be obtained online on ldscatalog.com if you use your unit login.

The form IS on MLS. Go to Membership, then Reports/Forms, then Recommend to Perform an Ordinance.

The form is in MLS and LCR. To find it in LCR, choose Reports > Forms > Recommend to Perform an Ordinance.

Years ago I learned that there is a problem with the dates of my baptism and confirmation. According to records, I was confirmed before I was baptized. How do I go about getting that corrected? I know the dates I was baptized and confirmed but do not have the documents that state the dates.

CyndiN3al wrote:Years ago I learned that there is a problem with the dates of my baptism and confirmation. According to records, I was confirmed before I was baptized. How do I go about getting that corrected? I know the dates I was baptized and confirmed but do not have the documents that state the dates.

Talk with your ward clerk to get this process started.

This whole series of responses on how a child can be baptized outside of their home ward is wrong. This is a "tradition of the fathers".

Members of The Church need to understand how Priesthood Keys work. The bishop of the child being baptized holds those keys. He can not delegate his keys to someone outside of his ward. According to the handbook he can delegate to a counselor or even the ward mission leader.

Provisions are made for a person who is voice to perform an ordinance in another ward. No provision is made for the ordinance to be moved from stake to stake or ward to ward. That is why The Brethren have added the statement: "Members should not request special or individual times or prescribe the content of the baptismal services". Why? because it falls under the keys of the President of the Aaronic Priesthood - "The" bishop, not just imply a bishop.

GHB #2, section20.3.1 states: "A member of the bishopric presides over baptismal services for 8-year-old children of record when the services involve only one ward." (Note: the language is “the” bishopric no “a” bishopric)

Imagine the chaos if one stake president, without the membership in his stake decided to interview a person who was there on vacation. Priesthood leaders at the ward and stake level can not delegate keys to another bishop or stake president.

A family members moved out from other wards and move into our wards, But the two children ages 14 & 12 was baptized from other wards for more than 5 years ago, without membership records and recording baptismal & confirmation. How could I handle this case.

See Handbook 1, 16.1.10.1.

Also you may want to try requesting the children's records individually in case they were not correctly in the household.

We have a situation like this in our ward. Our bishop checked with the Stake President and the Stake President won't give permission for the child to be baptized outside the stake boundaries. ??? Please help me find the specific wording in the handbook that I can take to the bishop so we can make this happen.

brookekolste wrote: Sat May 17, 2025 4:46 pm Please help me find the specific wording in the handbook that I can take to the bishop so we can make this happen.

While I know it's done, I'm not finding any verbiage in the Handbook that allows it. Certainly nothing strong enough to convince someone who has made up their mind. It would be easier for me to claim it has to be done in the ward where the records reside, not just the same stake.

The best I can do to help you is point to 38.2.3: "The bishop may authorize the streaming of baby blessings, baptisms, confirmations, and Aaronic Priesthood ordinations."

Your Bishop and stake president are giving the right council according to the handbook of instruction

The bishop holds holds the keys and that is why he must be there to oversee the ordinance

18.7.2

When a child of record is preparing to be baptized, a member of the bishopric and Primary presidency counsel with the family to plan and schedule a baptismal service. A member of the bishopric conducts the service.

This type of discussion took place recently in another thread, where discussion was about wards whose buildings are officially inside another stake's boundaries, and where does the Bishop's stewardship end (could he perform a wedding in his ward's church building even if it was outside his stake?). In that case it was suggested that it was more of a spiritual stewardship in question, rather than a geographical physical line that could not be crossed. For example, in a previous calling I did a virtual temple recommend interview with a unit member who was temporarily in other country, and that was just fine. It would be an interesting discussion to see whether the Bishopric member might be approved to virtually preside for a specifically approved situation like this.

I also personally feel this is a bit different when considering cases where it's still a "local" ordinance (like in Provo Utah where you can easily cross over multiple stake boundaries while on a relaxing walk with your dog), as compared to cases where a family is away from home and wants to perform the baptism while away. But that's just me. And it's also challenging to distinguish between what was previously done (whether it was Handbook approved or just tradition), and what is currently official policy.

Given the previous posts about current Handbook policy and the different ways it can be interpreted or understood, I think that (fortunately? unfortunately?) the local leaders ultimately have discretion. If you've talked with your Bishop and he's talked with the Stake President and they conclude that they don't give permission, you can still see if a further discussion with the Stake President might clear up concerns. But if the answer remains "no", I agree that even if valid reasons exist for wanting to perform the baptism elsewhere, the decision is not for individual members to make themselves.