THE FIRST BOOK OF SHI-TUGO

Baptism is performed by the_ Peli _, who have received authority through adoption or lineage. The ordinance includes name declaration, immersion, and covenant-making with God.

1And now I resume my observations of the customs of the Ammonites.

2Behold, the people of Ammon believe on Jesus Christ, whom the prophets say must come, even that Son of God who shall redeem His people Israel, and they believe in baptism, even the baptism taught to them by Ammon.

3Whenever they baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, this is the manner in which they do it:

4The father of the person to be baptized calls upon the Peli, for the Peli are Levites either by birth and thereby legal right, or by adoption, and have received the authority to baptize by the Spirit under the hands of the Lord’s anointed. Yea, the father or patron of the person to be baptized arranges matters with the Peli, for it is his office.

5Then the person who wishes to be baptized goes down into the water with the Peli and both of them raise their hands above their heads and clap them together three times, and speak the person’s name clearly.

6Then the Peli clearly declares his right and authority to speak and act for and in behalf of the Christ who will come. He then declares to all creation that he baptizes the person in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

7When he has said these things, he submerges the person in the water so that every bit of him is under the water and no part of him is exposed to the air. Then he quickly raises the person up again and all present clap their hands.

8Thus, the person begins a new life and a new covenant, and the covenant is sealed upon him by that Holy Spirit of Promise because of that covenant made by the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost before the world was.