Extending Welcomes in Baptismal Services

I was brushing up baptismal services and section 20.3.4.4 in the Handbook doesn't mention extending welcomes to the person being baptized. Historically (at least in baptismal services that I've attended), a member of the bishopric and a member of the corresponding presidency will extend a welcome to the person being baptized. Obviously, the bishop would have the ultimate say on this, but that aside, what are your thoughts about extending welcomes in baptismal services?

I'm unable to find the reference you're looking at.

russellhltn wrote: Sun Jul 09, 2023 9:39 pm I'm unable to find the reference you're looking at.

Oops, I was looking at the handbook in another language. In the English handbook, it's section 18.7.2. Just to be clear, extending welcomes isn't mentioned in that section. I've always thought they were a nice gesture, though, so I just thought I'd ask what others think about continuing to do this or discontinuing doing this since it's not actually in the handbook.

A baptismal service should be simple, brief, and spiritually uplifting. It may include the following:
...
A brief welcome from the brother who is conducting the service

I'd note the word "may". I'm not seeing anything that would exclude a welcome.

Further down:

A member of the bishopric follows the guidelines in 29.2.1.1 when introducing new members.

From 29.2.1.1 "Planning Sacrament Meeting":

Recognizing new ward members, including recent converts. After a few words of introduction, the person conducting asks the congregation to show by an uplifted hand that they welcome the member into the ward.

If one wanted to split hairs, there might be a question if a "welcome" should be delayed until Sacrament meeting. But that's assuming that one can only extend one welcome.

I'd say always follow the "simple, brief, and spiritually uplifting" guidance, and as mentioned use the items listed in the "may" bullet points as the baseline. If it's a service with multiple people being baptized, a welcome from different organizations might not allow for simple and brief. Or if it's a child who's been attending Primary for a while (whether child-of-record or maybe a 10-year-old), perhaps the welcome would work better during second hour the following Sunday. But I'm certain there's cases where a new member would be greatly blessed by a brief welcome from their organization leader during the baptismal service, and I agree there's nothing stating this cannot occur. And the Bishop might have to be brave and suggest to the Relief Society they present their keepsake memento to a new sister after and not during the service (the EQ generally isn't as thoughtful...)!

As an aside, I interpret the "A brief welcome from the brother who is conducting the service", as a general welcome to all those in attendance, and not a specific welcome to the person(s) being baptized.