Rebaptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Authors

Jonathan A. Stapley
David W. Grua

Keywords

Patty Sessions, Winter Quarters, baptism, Church of Jesus Christ

Abstract

The first day of November 1847 brought Patty Sessions a snowstorm that blew her tent down and shredded it. But life in Winter Quarters was never easy, and Sessions maintained her regular schedule despite the disruption. She was a midwife and had a central position among the women of the city. Over the next week alone, she delivered four babies and attended four meetings. She also sewed for hire, and she anointed and blessed in faith. And on Friday the 26th, as she wrote in her diary, “I was baptized.” In this short three-word entry, Sessions documented one of the most distinctive beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: the repeat baptism of believers.

Recommended Citation

Stapley, Jonathan A. and Grua, David W. (2022) "Rebaptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 61: Iss. 3, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol61/iss3/4