The Baptisms of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery: Authority, Doctrine, and Controversy

In the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the baptisms of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery stand as pivotal events, both for their personal spiritual journeys and for establishing the Church’s foundational doctrines. According to Mormon teaching, baptism is an essential ordinance for the remission of sins and entry into God’s kingdom. Crucially, the Church emphasizes that baptism must be performed by someone holding the proper priesthood authority, specifically the Aaronic Priesthood, which includes the authority to baptize.⁴

In May 1829, John the Baptist is said to have appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood, formally granting them the authority to perform baptisms.⁴ Following this, Smith and Cowdery baptized each other in the Susquehanna River near Harmony, Pennsylvania. Their baptisms were performed by immersion and in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, in accordance with Mormon doctrine. The sequence—receiving the priesthood, baptizing each other, and then baptizing others—was consistent with the Mormons’ requirements for establishing proper authority.

From a Mormon perspective, these baptisms were entirely legitimate. Holding the Aaronic Priesthood meant they possessed the authority to administer this essential ordinance, and their actions laid the groundwork for all subsequent baptisms within the Church. Mormons teach that priesthood authority is central to all ordinances, and the baptisms of Smith and Cowdery exemplify the proper exercise of that authority.

However, when compared with Christian standards, complications arise. Scripture emphasizes that baptism is commanded for believers, but authority is grounded in Christ alone, not in a restored priesthood or private conferral from angels. In Matthew 28:18–20, known as the Great Commission, Jesus commands His followers to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.¹ This means that any believer who has been commissioned by Christ—through faith in Him and obedience to His teaching—has the authority to baptize, not just those with a specific ecclesiastical ordination. Ephesians 2:8–9 reinforces that salvation comes by grace through faith,² and 1 Timothy 2:5 affirms that Christ is the only mediator between God and humans.³

Christian baptism is a public declaration of faith in Christ, performed by believers who are commissioned directly by Him to baptize others. This authority comes from Christ’s command and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, not from human hierarchy or institutional ritual. From this perspective, conferring priesthood authority outside of Christ’s church raises questions about legitimacy.

In conclusion, while the baptisms of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were consistent with Mormon doctrine—authorized through the Aaronic Priesthood—they do not fully align with Christian standards, which center authority in Christ, the sufficiency of His sacrifice, and the direct accessibility of God through faith. According to Christianity, authority to baptize comes from Christ Himself and His commission to believers, not through angelic ordination or institutional hierarchy. The events highlight a key distinction between Mormon ritual authority and traditional Christian practice, illustrating how differing definitions of “authority” and “ordination” can lead to complex theological debates.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 28:18–20 – Jesus commissions His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

2. Ephesians 2:8–9 – Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.

3. 1 Timothy 2:5 – Christ is the only mediator between God and men. 

4. Doctrine and Covenants 13 – The account of John the Baptist conferring the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

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