Why is it so important that the Baptismal prayer we offer today is repeated perfectly when the prayer Alma used at the waters of Mormon was different than what we use?
Kirk
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Kirk,
This is an interesting question. I think the answer lies, in part, due to the dispensation of the Gospel in which Alma was acting.
Alma was given the same priesthood authority needed today to perform baptisms, however the Gospel knowledge then revealed would have had a necessary effect upon the wording of the prayer. For example, God the Father had not been revealed to man. Only Jehovah was recognized as the God of Israel. The Holy Ghost was known as the Spirit of the LORD, or Spirit of God.
Because the entire Godhead had not been fully revealed to man, it only makes sense that Alma’s prayer differs greatly from what we have been instructed to say in this dispensation.
To use another example, in order to repent for sins, during Old Testament times, an animal sacrifice was needed. When performed by proper authority, forgiveness was granted. Today is a far different process, however the older ways were no less authoritiative for their time than the ones we use now are for our time.
-Gramps
