Is desire enough for baptism?

Question

Gramps,

I am unable to say, for sure, that I believe that the LDS Church is the true church of God or that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. But, I do believe that Jesus is the Christ, and I do want to be baptized. Is the desire to be baptized enough for it to happen?

Samuel

Answer

Dear Samuel,

I commend you on your desire to be baptized.  In the Book of Mormon, Alma tells us: “But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.” Alma 32:27

You should discuss this with the missionaries or your Bishop, but yes, I believe as long as you are willing to keep the commandments, the desire to believe is enough.

​A friend of mine told me that when she converted to the Church she was 12, and had not had the missionary discussions.  So in her baptismal interview when the Bishop asked her, “Do you believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet?”

She thought, Joseph who?  Oh well, if this Church believes in him, I believe in him.  Then she smiled at the Bishop and said, “Yes.”

Then the Bishop asked, “Do you believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God?”

Again she was confused but thought again if this Church believes it, I believe it.  And again responded affirmatively.

This was many years ago, and she has since learned about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  She has also served a mission, married in the temple and has a son on a mission.  It all started with her desire to believe.

The Lord loves you Samuel, and I’m sure he is pleased with your desire to believe.

Gramps