As most know I'm asked lots of questions - and in striving to answer them I try to be clear - to quote the Scriptures - in each reply. This morning I was asked the following:
Hi Chuck, This evening in our small group the subject of Baptism of the Dead came up. Would you be able to give me an explanation of this and the history of it?
"What of Baptism for the Dead (as part of the Plan of Salvation)" cji 2/27/10
Baptism for the dead is a part of the Plan of Salvation - that all may be united into an eternal family unit - which unit is the only known earthly entity which is found in the Highest degree of Glory in the Celestial Kingdom. Paul talks of this in the New Testament; 1 Corinthians 15:29: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead."
Baptism which is one of the first steps/principles of joining the true Church as organized by the Savior during the meridian of time and then again in our days when he restored this Gospel in 1830 through His Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. John and other Prophets have spoken of the various sealing powers and that no sealing ordinances are done in Heaven. Thus if one is not sealed by the proper authority on this earth they will not be sealed in heaven.
All of the ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are interrelated and important steps to the Celestial Kingdom in the Highest degree of Glory. The Jews when questioning the Savior about the woman who married first one brother and then another (until she'd married all seven) as to which of the seven brothers she'd be married to in the Heavens. The Savior told them that they understood not the law. Which is that since she'd been sealed to none of them on this earth - she'd be married to none of them in Heaven. Thus the importance of the sealing ordinance - and thus the importance of Baptism for both the living and the dead.
Everyone who has lived on this Earth before the end of the Millennium of one thousand years after the Coming of the Savior to rule over this Earth will hear in plainness the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Earth will be dotted with Temples (or Houses of the Lord) for the Sealing Ordinances. So one could say everyone could just wait - not do genealogy and find their progenitors and not avail themselves of the Gospel Ordinance of Baptism for the Dead. Yet this is not what has been commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ in these the latter-days. He's commanded his Saints/disciples/followers/believers to do this work for their kindred dead. It is and has been the three fold mission of the Church throughout all of history (Missionary Work; Genealogy (for the Baptism of the Dead); and the Perfection of the Saints/member/followers/disciples).
This is one of the important purposes of the Holy Temple(s) (The House of the Lord) - throughout all of history as well as today. Baptism for the Dead, and all of the following ordinances - Laying on of hand to receive the Holy Ghost and being confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ - the Endowment - and the Sealing Ordinance (all done by those with the proper authority and keys).
During the period of Apostasy from 150AD (360AD in the Americas) until 1830 - these keys and authority were no longer on this Earth. Keys and Authority are delegated by the Savior - and with the killing and death of the last of the Apostles around 150AD and around 360AD in the America's this authority was removed. There were four of the Apostles who lingered and are still on this Earth today - John and the three Nephites whose names we do not know, who have a different mission. Thus the idea of Baptism for the Dead and the Sealing Ordinance were lost and indeed the ones who took over deciding what should be taught to the people in the name of Christianity had no understanding of these ordinances - and the rhetoric and Greek Philosophy couldn't reconcile with the teaching of such ordinances - so they were ignored and lost.
There are records of some who during the next 1400 years would've joined one of the various Churches but when finding that their progenitors would be denied - they too did not join. These worthy people would not leave or go where their progenitors could not go - they would not leave them behind. Many if not all of the religions found in the world today do not teach nor understand these ordinances. The consolation which the various ministers give their adherents leaves a void and confusion after the death of a loved one who was not yet baptized (especially young children). Some Churches have gone so far as to baptize infants which has no place in the Gospel of Jesus Christ - to get past some of this - but then still can offer nothing more to their followers. This is because they do not understand the eternal nature of the family as a unit within the highest degree of glory in the Celestial Kingdom.
Therefore - as Commanded by the Lord we (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) do baptisms for the dead - and then the remainder of the Temple Ordinances so that the family unit can be eternal and forever as literally explained in the Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Thus with the knowledge of knowing that our families are sealed for time and all eternity (predicated upon worthiness) to return to the presence of the Father and the Son. To have the privilege of raising our families - and the companionship of our progenitors throughout time and all eternity.
Without the Temple and the keys of authority baptisms for the dead cannot be done - as neither can any of the other Temple ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - of which a Temple Marriage/Sealing for time and all eternity. Thus the whole purpose of this Earth would be wasted, Malachi 5-6; 5. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; 6. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Without the Temple the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ would all be for naught! Thus the first of the buildings to be built by the Restored Church at exceedingly great sacrifice were the Temples; Kirkland and Nauvoo. In Far West the first land set aside was the Temple Site - in the Great Salt Lake Valley the location of the Temple was the first ground set aside.
Without the Temple as the world knows marriage it is only until death do part what man/woman has enjoined and there will be no longer any family unit found after death. Mothers who've lost infant children or miscarried will never know and nurture these children as is promised in the scriptures. Those who've died before hearing the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will have to wait until the Millennium to hear - while those who have had the opportunity while living on this Earth either during one of the various dispensations - or since 1830 and did not join through Baptism - during the millennium will more than likely continue to make the same choices.
Most prefer a different doctrine being an easier doctrine - i.e. the Creeds of Men - or that all our saved and there are no families after death. However this easier doctrine comes with a far more ranging eternal cost. It is a world without feeling - that would reject the eternal teaching of eternal families. I can imagine no parent forgetting a child - or a loving husband or wife forgetting their companion. It makes no sense! However in a world which teaches that all is temporary - or immediate satisfaction - the idea without feeling takes on meaning and life - directly opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the eternal literal teachings of the Holy Scriptures.
Next, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is filled with both Mercy and Justice as neither can be robbed. Yet most choose not to understand what the Savior has Commanded must be done while in this mortal probation - we each have agency to choose right or wrong. When a truth is taught - much of today's world will either accept or reject it based on what it will give them (selfishly) or take away from them (selfishly). Thus the rejection of the Decalogue is primary - and one need only look at the Commandment to keep the Sabbath Day Holy to understand this rejection of literal truth. There's truth and everything else - if we were to use colors - there's white and everything else not-white - there are no shades of white - the same as there are no shades of truth. Yet with agency men/women feel they can choose for themselves what they want and reject the rest (again selfishness). The best definition I've ever heard of one's agency is, "Agency is the gift of obedience to the Commandments of God! (President Dale Dallon, Rochester NY Stake). One must always ask how obedient am I to the literal Commandments of God?
Do we really understand how basic and simple the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is? The purpose of all of the Gospel teachings are for our eternal benefit - of which obedience gives us happiness and joy while in our second or mortal probation - and then eternally. One must realize that the happiness of Babylon (worldly) has little to do with eternal principles - and this worldly happiness is what the carnal nature of men/women of the world seek after. Again this scripture becomes the clarifier of those seeking Babylon or the Eternal: Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-36: "34. Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? 35. Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson— 36. That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness."
One must always remember there's only one true Gospel of Jesus Christ - and though men/women have included some truth in their various writings much of what is said is both confusing and at variance with the true teachings. The Prophet's of the Old and New Testament were stoned for teaching Truth - especially when it was at variance with the 'desires' of men and women to have an easier time and justification of their carnal natures. With the translation and transmission of the Holy Bible many precious truths were lost as they did not conform to the wisdom or desires of the men/women who were involved in this work. During the window of the late 1700's to the 1950's over 2600 different Bibles have alone been printed in the US (I know of no current count since the 1950's but would guess this number is now far greater).
If one were to do a Bing search on "Baptism for the Dead" there's some 10,800,000 results. As indeed among these one will find millions of anti-Mormon literature on the subject - which again shows the freedom of which men/women can choose - either to believe or to disbelieve.
References:
D&C 121: 34-26
D&C 128: 1, 12-13, 16-18
Rom. 6: 4.
Col. 2: 12.
Heb. 6: 2
Malachi 4:5-6
1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?.
"Baptism for the Dead in Ancient Times" Hugh W. Nibley
"Book of Mormon Answers" John A. Tvedtnes
(Important Note: Nothing of which I write is to be taken for the official Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - but simply my attempt to clarify and answer questions as presented to me. Charles J. Ingerson, aka cji)
"What of Baptism
for the Dead?"
cji
2/27/10
Wherefore are we sent
seeking truth to be known
sharing with all others
but most sisters/brothers;
Parents and loved ones
progenitors need to know
the Commandment given
thus are we to be driven;
Baptism for our/the dead
to hear the Gospel taught
none left to be unknowing
within eternal life growing!
Copyright © 2010 – cji
Hi Chuck, This evening in our small group the subject of Baptism of the Dead came up. Would you be able to give me an explanation of this and the history of it?
"What of Baptism for the Dead (as part of the Plan of Salvation)" cji 2/27/10
Baptism for the dead is a part of the Plan of Salvation - that all may be united into an eternal family unit - which unit is the only known earthly entity which is found in the Highest degree of Glory in the Celestial Kingdom. Paul talks of this in the New Testament; 1 Corinthians 15:29: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead."
Baptism which is one of the first steps/principles of joining the true Church as organized by the Savior during the meridian of time and then again in our days when he restored this Gospel in 1830 through His Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. John and other Prophets have spoken of the various sealing powers and that no sealing ordinances are done in Heaven. Thus if one is not sealed by the proper authority on this earth they will not be sealed in heaven.
All of the ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are interrelated and important steps to the Celestial Kingdom in the Highest degree of Glory. The Jews when questioning the Savior about the woman who married first one brother and then another (until she'd married all seven) as to which of the seven brothers she'd be married to in the Heavens. The Savior told them that they understood not the law. Which is that since she'd been sealed to none of them on this earth - she'd be married to none of them in Heaven. Thus the importance of the sealing ordinance - and thus the importance of Baptism for both the living and the dead.
Everyone who has lived on this Earth before the end of the Millennium of one thousand years after the Coming of the Savior to rule over this Earth will hear in plainness the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Earth will be dotted with Temples (or Houses of the Lord) for the Sealing Ordinances. So one could say everyone could just wait - not do genealogy and find their progenitors and not avail themselves of the Gospel Ordinance of Baptism for the Dead. Yet this is not what has been commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ in these the latter-days. He's commanded his Saints/disciples/followers/believers to do this work for their kindred dead. It is and has been the three fold mission of the Church throughout all of history (Missionary Work; Genealogy (for the Baptism of the Dead); and the Perfection of the Saints/member/followers/disciples).
This is one of the important purposes of the Holy Temple(s) (The House of the Lord) - throughout all of history as well as today. Baptism for the Dead, and all of the following ordinances - Laying on of hand to receive the Holy Ghost and being confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ - the Endowment - and the Sealing Ordinance (all done by those with the proper authority and keys).
During the period of Apostasy from 150AD (360AD in the Americas) until 1830 - these keys and authority were no longer on this Earth. Keys and Authority are delegated by the Savior - and with the killing and death of the last of the Apostles around 150AD and around 360AD in the America's this authority was removed. There were four of the Apostles who lingered and are still on this Earth today - John and the three Nephites whose names we do not know, who have a different mission. Thus the idea of Baptism for the Dead and the Sealing Ordinance were lost and indeed the ones who took over deciding what should be taught to the people in the name of Christianity had no understanding of these ordinances - and the rhetoric and Greek Philosophy couldn't reconcile with the teaching of such ordinances - so they were ignored and lost.
There are records of some who during the next 1400 years would've joined one of the various Churches but when finding that their progenitors would be denied - they too did not join. These worthy people would not leave or go where their progenitors could not go - they would not leave them behind. Many if not all of the religions found in the world today do not teach nor understand these ordinances. The consolation which the various ministers give their adherents leaves a void and confusion after the death of a loved one who was not yet baptized (especially young children). Some Churches have gone so far as to baptize infants which has no place in the Gospel of Jesus Christ - to get past some of this - but then still can offer nothing more to their followers. This is because they do not understand the eternal nature of the family as a unit within the highest degree of glory in the Celestial Kingdom.
Therefore - as Commanded by the Lord we (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) do baptisms for the dead - and then the remainder of the Temple Ordinances so that the family unit can be eternal and forever as literally explained in the Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Thus with the knowledge of knowing that our families are sealed for time and all eternity (predicated upon worthiness) to return to the presence of the Father and the Son. To have the privilege of raising our families - and the companionship of our progenitors throughout time and all eternity.
Without the Temple and the keys of authority baptisms for the dead cannot be done - as neither can any of the other Temple ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - of which a Temple Marriage/Sealing for time and all eternity. Thus the whole purpose of this Earth would be wasted, Malachi 5-6; 5. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; 6. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Without the Temple the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ would all be for naught! Thus the first of the buildings to be built by the Restored Church at exceedingly great sacrifice were the Temples; Kirkland and Nauvoo. In Far West the first land set aside was the Temple Site - in the Great Salt Lake Valley the location of the Temple was the first ground set aside.
Without the Temple as the world knows marriage it is only until death do part what man/woman has enjoined and there will be no longer any family unit found after death. Mothers who've lost infant children or miscarried will never know and nurture these children as is promised in the scriptures. Those who've died before hearing the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will have to wait until the Millennium to hear - while those who have had the opportunity while living on this Earth either during one of the various dispensations - or since 1830 and did not join through Baptism - during the millennium will more than likely continue to make the same choices.
Most prefer a different doctrine being an easier doctrine - i.e. the Creeds of Men - or that all our saved and there are no families after death. However this easier doctrine comes with a far more ranging eternal cost. It is a world without feeling - that would reject the eternal teaching of eternal families. I can imagine no parent forgetting a child - or a loving husband or wife forgetting their companion. It makes no sense! However in a world which teaches that all is temporary - or immediate satisfaction - the idea without feeling takes on meaning and life - directly opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the eternal literal teachings of the Holy Scriptures.
Next, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is filled with both Mercy and Justice as neither can be robbed. Yet most choose not to understand what the Savior has Commanded must be done while in this mortal probation - we each have agency to choose right or wrong. When a truth is taught - much of today's world will either accept or reject it based on what it will give them (selfishly) or take away from them (selfishly). Thus the rejection of the Decalogue is primary - and one need only look at the Commandment to keep the Sabbath Day Holy to understand this rejection of literal truth. There's truth and everything else - if we were to use colors - there's white and everything else not-white - there are no shades of white - the same as there are no shades of truth. Yet with agency men/women feel they can choose for themselves what they want and reject the rest (again selfishness). The best definition I've ever heard of one's agency is, "Agency is the gift of obedience to the Commandments of God! (President Dale Dallon, Rochester NY Stake). One must always ask how obedient am I to the literal Commandments of God?
Do we really understand how basic and simple the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is? The purpose of all of the Gospel teachings are for our eternal benefit - of which obedience gives us happiness and joy while in our second or mortal probation - and then eternally. One must realize that the happiness of Babylon (worldly) has little to do with eternal principles - and this worldly happiness is what the carnal nature of men/women of the world seek after. Again this scripture becomes the clarifier of those seeking Babylon or the Eternal: Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-36: "34. Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? 35. Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson— 36. That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness."
One must always remember there's only one true Gospel of Jesus Christ - and though men/women have included some truth in their various writings much of what is said is both confusing and at variance with the true teachings. The Prophet's of the Old and New Testament were stoned for teaching Truth - especially when it was at variance with the 'desires' of men and women to have an easier time and justification of their carnal natures. With the translation and transmission of the Holy Bible many precious truths were lost as they did not conform to the wisdom or desires of the men/women who were involved in this work. During the window of the late 1700's to the 1950's over 2600 different Bibles have alone been printed in the US (I know of no current count since the 1950's but would guess this number is now far greater).
If one were to do a Bing search on "Baptism for the Dead" there's some 10,800,000 results. As indeed among these one will find millions of anti-Mormon literature on the subject - which again shows the freedom of which men/women can choose - either to believe or to disbelieve.
References:
D&C 121: 34-26
D&C 128: 1, 12-13, 16-18
Rom. 6: 4.
Col. 2: 12.
Heb. 6: 2
Malachi 4:5-6
1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?.
"Baptism for the Dead in Ancient Times" Hugh W. Nibley
"Book of Mormon Answers" John A. Tvedtnes
(Important Note: Nothing of which I write is to be taken for the official Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - but simply my attempt to clarify and answer questions as presented to me. Charles J. Ingerson, aka cji)
"What of Baptism
for the Dead?"
cji
2/27/10
Wherefore are we sent
seeking truth to be known
sharing with all others
but most sisters/brothers;
Parents and loved ones
progenitors need to know
the Commandment given
thus are we to be driven;
Baptism for our/the dead
to hear the Gospel taught
none left to be unknowing
within eternal life growing!
Copyright © 2010 – cji
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