The qualifications for baptism require that the individual brings forth fruit meet for repentance. This amounts to something more than answering “yes” to the missionary’s question, “Will you be baptized?” The DC version states that the candidate must truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of sins (DC 20:37). This fruit can come in many shapes and sizes. For one it may be to throw away the case of cigarettes, for another it may be to faithfully attend church before baptism, for another it may be a manifestation of charitable service, for another it may be a complete lifestyle transformation, but the individual has to have done something to show that they are serious and penitent. Otherwise, they are not worthy of baptism.
Bruce R. McConkie
“…no price is too great to pay for the privilege of receiving this holy ordinance. We must prepare ourselves for baptism; we must be worthy to make a covenant with the Holy One; we must have a fixed and unalterable determination to conform to his will. Otherwise baptism profiteth nothing. No ordinance is binding on earth and in heaven unless it is ratified and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, and this Spirit is given only to those who are just and true. Just as those who partake unworthily of the sacrament eat and drink damnation to their souls, so those who are baptized unworthily receive cursings instead of blessings.” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p. 248)