THE CURRENT TEACHING OF THE MORMON CHURCH:

Baptism must be performed by LDS Priesthood and is absolutely necessary for salvation.

"Verily, verily, I (Christ) say unto you (Joseph Smith), they who believe not on your words, and are not baptized in water in my name, for the remission of their sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned…"
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS, 84:74

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT BAPTISM:
(Emphasis is on the believer and not on the priesthood authority)

1. JOHN PREACHED BAPTISM AS REPENTANCE FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS:

Baptism of repentance for remission of sins.	Mar 1:4
Baptism, repentance	Luk 3:3

2. ONLY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, MAKES REMISSION OF SIN POSSIBLE:

Without shedding of blood,	Hbr 9:22
This is my blood,	Mat 26:28

3. BELIEF IN THE LORD JESUS MAKES IT AVAILABLE, AND BAPTISM OF THE LORD JESUS MAKES A DEMONSTRATION OF IT:

Believers were baptized at the same time they came to faith.	Act 2:41; 9:17-18
Believing in Christ was the necessary condition for baptism	Act 18:8
In some cases believers were baptized the very hour they put their faith in Christ	Act 16:30-33
As an example, Paul put his faith in Christ and was baptized soon after	Act 22:16
Peter tells his audience to repent and then be baptized	Act 2:37, 41
Those who were baptized by John were rebaptized in Jesus' name	Act 19:3-5

4. EXAMPLES FROM THE BIBLE OF THE PRACTICE OF BAPTISM:

Believing Jews were baptized	Act 2:41
Believing Gentiles were baptized	Act 10:44-48; 18:8
Examples of entire households practicing baptism as believers	Act 16:15, 33; 33; 1Cr 1:16

5. EMPHASIS IS ON BELIEVER, NOT PRIESTHOOD AUTHORITY:

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.	Mar 16:15-16
Christ sent me not to baptize	1Cr 1:14

6. BAPTISM IS NOT NECESSARY FOR SALVATION:

Today, thou will be with me in paradise

Luk 23:43