Zone1 Why do members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Baptize for the Dead?

[Cougarbear]

Why Latter-day Saints Practice Baptism for the Dead
I understand why baptism for the dead can sound strange at first. It often does when it is reduced to a phrase instead of explained in the light of Jesus Christ.
At its heart, baptism for the dead exists because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite. It reaches across time, geography, culture, and even death itself. If Christ truly overcame sin and death for all mankind, then His saving power cannot be limited only to those fortunate enough to be born in the right place, at the right time, with the right access to the gospel.
This doctrine teaches that God is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He does not hold anyone accountable for opportunities they never had. Instead, through Jesus Christ, He ensures that every one of His children has a real, informed, and voluntary opportunity to accept or reject the gospel. Nothing is forced. Nothing is imposed. Agency remains intact on both sides of the veil.
Baptism performed on behalf of the dead does not save anyone automatically. It does not compel belief or guarantee salvation. It simply makes the saving power of Christ’s Atonement available to those who never had the chance to receive it in mortality. Each soul remains free to choose.
The Apostle Paul acknowledged this reality when he wrote:
“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?”
(1 Corinthians 15:29)
Paul did not explain the practice, correct it, or condemn it. He referenced it as something understood among early Christians, using it to testify of the resurrection and Christ’s victory over death.
At its core, this doctrine declares something profoundly hopeful. No one is forgotten. No one is disqualified by birth, history, ignorance, or circumstance. Through Jesus Christ, God’s love reaches every soul who has ever lived.
Modern apostles have taught that this work is central to God’s purposes in the last days.
⸻
Russell M. Nelson
President Nelson has repeatedly taught that the gathering of Israel includes both the living and the dead, and that temple work is essential to that gathering:
“The gathering of Israel is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty.”
(“Hope of Israel,” Worldwide Youth Devotional, June 2018)
He also taught that this gathering includes God’s children on both sides of the veil and that the Lord is hastening this work in preparation for what lies ahead.
⸻
Dallin H. Oaks
President Oaks has taught that God’s plan of salvation reflects perfect justice and mercy, and that ordinances are required, but mercy ensures access for all:
“Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the plan of salvation includes a way for all who have ever lived to receive the ordinances necessary for exaltation.”
(“The Great Plan of Happiness,” October 1993 General Conference)
He has emphasized that God does not condemn His children for circumstances beyond their control, and that vicarious ordinances are an expression of divine fairness and love.
⸻
Jeffrey R. Holland
President Holland has borne witness that the Savior’s Atonement reaches every soul and every condition, including death itself:
“There is no pain, no anguish, no sorrow, no loneliness that Christ did not experience. There is no injustice He does not understand.”
(“None Were with Him,” April 2009 General Conference)
He has repeatedly testified that Christ descended below all things so that no one would be beyond His redeeming reach.
⸻
This is why Latter-day Saints build temples.
This is why we search records.
This is why we perform sacred ordinances on behalf of others.
Not because we believe we are rescuing the dead by our own righteousness, but because we believe Jesus Christ is rescuing His children, and He invites us to participate in that work.
Between now and the end of this earth as it now is, this is the work God has given His people to do. To gather. To bind. To offer. To witness. To love.
For many of us, baptism for the dead is not strange at all. It is one of the clearest witnesses of the power, fairness, and mercy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
No one is forgotten.
No one is beyond His reach.
And no one is denied a choice.

Your thoughts are welcomed!

 

[onefour1]

Jesus clearly taught:

John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Being born of water is a reference to baptism. Being born of the Spirit is a reference to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands of one having the authority to do so.

How many people have lived on this earth and never had the chance to even hear the gospel of Jesus Christ let alone be baptized and receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost? Is it fair to condemn these people because they did not receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost while living in this mortal life? NO!! Jesus made it possible for all to hear the message of gospel whether in this life or in death. Upon Jesus' death and before his resurrection, he went among the spirits of the dead and preached his gospel and set up among the spirits of the dead a way for them to hear his gospel and to accept it.

1 Peter 4:6
For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

1 Peter 3:18-20
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Doctrine and Covenants 138

Jesus has set up a way that even the dead can still hear his gospel and accept it. But how are they to be baptized and receive the ordinance of the gift of the Holy Ghost? As Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15, as mentioned by Cougarbear above, the practice of baptism for the dead was has among the church in the days of Jesus and his apostles. During the millennium after our Lord comes again upon the earth to reign, all the baptisms for all who have ever lived will be completed by those on the earth. Thus all will have the opportunity to accept or reject their baptism and all will be without excuse when they stand before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah to be judged. This teaching makes perfect sense and allow all the opportunity to receive all the blessings of the gospel and to enter the kingdom of God. But even though the work is done for all mankind, they still need to accept the gospel and the work of baptism done in their behalf to enter God's kingdom. Thus Jesus taught:

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 

[Cougarbear]

Jesus clearly taught:

John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Being born of water is a reference to baptism. Being born of the Spirit is a reference to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands of one having the authority to do so.

How many people have lived on this earth and never had the chance to even hear the gospel of Jesus Christ let alone be baptized and receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost? Is it fair to condemn these people because they did not receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost while living in this mortal life? NO!! Jesus made it possible for all to hear the message of gospel whether in this life or in death. Upon Jesus' death and before his resurrection, he went among the spirits of the dead and preached his gospel and set up among the spirits of the dead a way for them to hear his gospel and to accept it.

1 Peter 4:6
For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

1 Peter 3:18-20
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Doctrine and Covenants 138

Jesus has set up a way that even the dead can still hear his gospel and accept it. But how are they to be baptized and receive the ordinance of the gift of the Holy Ghost? As Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15, as mentioned by Cougarbear above, the practice of baptism for the dead was has among the church in the days of Jesus and his apostles. During the millennium after our Lord comes again upon the earth to reign, all the baptisms for all who have ever lived will be completed by those on the earth. Thus all will have the opportunity to accept or reject their baptism and all will be without excuse when they stand before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah to be judged. This teaching makes perfect sense and allow all the opportunity to receive all the blessings of the gospel and to enter the kingdom of God. But even though the work is done for all mankind, they still need to accept the gospel and the work of baptism done in their behalf to enter God's kingdom. Thus Jesus taught:

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

How do people shine on this commandment of the Lord himself said. it's a matter of faith and faith without this work is dead.

 

[onefour1]

Who the **** cares.

Those who wish to find entrance into the kingdom of God and those who seek to understand the equity and fairness of God.

 

[ding]

Why Latter-day Saints Practice Baptism for the Dead
I understand why baptism for the dead can sound strange at first. It often does when it is reduced to a phrase instead of explained in the light of Jesus Christ.
At its heart, baptism for the dead exists because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite. It reaches across time, geography, culture, and even death itself. If Christ truly overcame sin and death for all mankind, then His saving power cannot be limited only to those fortunate enough to be born in the right place, at the right time, with the right access to the gospel.
This doctrine teaches that God is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He does not hold anyone accountable for opportunities they never had. Instead, through Jesus Christ, He ensures that every one of His children has a real, informed, and voluntary opportunity to accept or reject the gospel. Nothing is forced. Nothing is imposed. Agency remains intact on both sides of the veil.
Baptism performed on behalf of the dead does not save anyone automatically. It does not compel belief or guarantee salvation. It simply makes the saving power of Christ’s Atonement available to those who never had the chance to receive it in mortality. Each soul remains free to choose.
The Apostle Paul acknowledged this reality when he wrote:
“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?”
(1 Corinthians 15:29)
Paul did not explain the practice, correct it, or condemn it. He referenced it as something understood among early Christians, using it to testify of the resurrection and Christ’s victory over death.
At its core, this doctrine declares something profoundly hopeful. No one is forgotten. No one is disqualified by birth, history, ignorance, or circumstance. Through Jesus Christ, God’s love reaches every soul who has ever lived.
Modern apostles have taught that this work is central to God’s purposes in the last days.
⸻
Russell M. Nelson
President Nelson has repeatedly taught that the gathering of Israel includes both the living and the dead, and that temple work is essential to that gathering:
“The gathering of Israel is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty.”
(“Hope of Israel,” Worldwide Youth Devotional, June 2018)
He also taught that this gathering includes God’s children on both sides of the veil and that the Lord is hastening this work in preparation for what lies ahead.
⸻
Dallin H. Oaks
President Oaks has taught that God’s plan of salvation reflects perfect justice and mercy, and that ordinances are required, but mercy ensures access for all:
“Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the plan of salvation includes a way for all who have ever lived to receive the ordinances necessary for exaltation.”
(“The Great Plan of Happiness,” October 1993 General Conference)
He has emphasized that God does not condemn His children for circumstances beyond their control, and that vicarious ordinances are an expression of divine fairness and love.
⸻
Jeffrey R. Holland
President Holland has borne witness that the Savior’s Atonement reaches every soul and every condition, including death itself:
“There is no pain, no anguish, no sorrow, no loneliness that Christ did not experience. There is no injustice He does not understand.”
(“None Were with Him,” April 2009 General Conference)
He has repeatedly testified that Christ descended below all things so that no one would be beyond His redeeming reach.
⸻
This is why Latter-day Saints build temples.
This is why we search records.
This is why we perform sacred ordinances on behalf of others.
Not because we believe we are rescuing the dead by our own righteousness, but because we believe Jesus Christ is rescuing His children, and He invites us to participate in that work.
Between now and the end of this earth as it now is, this is the work God has given His people to do. To gather. To bind. To offer. To witness. To love.
For many of us, baptism for the dead is not strange at all. It is one of the clearest witnesses of the power, fairness, and mercy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
No one is forgotten.
No one is beyond His reach.
And no one is denied a choice.

Your thoughts are welcomed!

How many of the dead have been baptized in total?

 

[Cougarbear]

How many of the dead have been baptized in total?

While the Church keeps records of these baptisms (to avoid doing them twice) within its genealogical system (FamilySearch), these aren't tallied and released as a public membership number. The Church performs millions of these proxy ordinances yearly, making a precise, cumulative public count impractical and unnecessary for their purposes. Someone estimated that there has been 100 billion people born on the earth. Keep in mind, those who die before the age of accountability (8 years old) and those who are mentally unable to be held accountable (like mentally retarded or other physical challenges) do not require baptism since they have not sinned.

If your question is how could it be possible to baptize everyone who has died or will die? Every person born on this earth is known to the Godhead. That includes their DNA and whatever else is required to make sure the work eventually gets done for them that need baptism by water and the spirit. Also, for the grace of their resurrection too. We do what we can in this life to help those who have gone before us as they await their blessings in paradise. The bulk of the work will be done during the 1,000 year millennium when thousands of temples will be built all around the earth.

 

[ding]

While the Church keeps records of these baptisms (to avoid doing them twice) within its genealogical system (FamilySearch), these aren't tallied and released as a public membership number. The Church performs millions of these proxy ordinances yearly, making a precise, cumulative public count impractical and unnecessary for their purposes. Someone estimated that there has been 100 billion people born on the earth. Keep in mind, those who die before the age of accountability (8 years old) and those who are mentally unable to be held accountable (like mentally retarded or other physical challenges) do not require baptism since they have not sinned.

If your question is how could it be possible to baptize everyone who has died or will die? Every person born on this earth is known to the Godhead. That includes their DNA and whatever else is required to make sure the work eventually gets done for them that need baptism by water and the spirit. Also, for the grace of their resurrection too. We do what we can in this life to help those who have gone before us as they await their blessings in paradise. The bulk of the work will be done during the 1,000 year millennium when thousands of temples will be built all around the earth.

No, that wasn't why I asked that question. I was curious.

 

[The Irish Ram]

Why Latter-day Saints Practice Baptism for the Dead
I understand why baptism for the dead can sound strange at first. It often does when it is reduced to a phrase instead of explained in the light of Jesus Christ.
At its heart, baptism for the dead exists because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite. It reaches across time, geography, culture, and even death itself. If Christ truly overcame sin and death for all mankind, then His saving power cannot be limited only to those fortunate enough to be born in the right place, at the right time, with the right access to the gospel.
This doctrine teaches that God is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He does not hold anyone accountable for opportunities they never had. Instead, through Jesus Christ, He ensures that every one of His children has a real, informed, and voluntary opportunity to accept or reject the gospel. Nothing is forced. Nothing is imposed. Agency remains intact on both sides of the veil.
Baptism performed on behalf of the dead does not save anyone automatically. It does not compel belief or guarantee salvation. It simply makes the saving power of Christ’s Atonement available to those who never had the chance to receive it in mortality. Each soul remains free to choose.
The Apostle Paul acknowledged this reality when he wrote:
“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?”
(1 Corinthians 15:29)
Paul did not explain the practice, correct it, or condemn it. He referenced it as something understood among early Christians, using it to testify of the resurrection and Christ’s victory over death.
At its core, this doctrine declares something profoundly hopeful. No one is forgotten. No one is disqualified by birth, history, ignorance, or circumstance. Through Jesus Christ, God’s love reaches every soul who has ever lived.
Modern apostles have taught that this work is central to God’s purposes in the last days.
⸻
Russell M. Nelson
President Nelson has repeatedly taught that the gathering of Israel includes both the living and the dead, and that temple work is essential to that gathering:
“The gathering of Israel is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty.”
(“Hope of Israel,” Worldwide Youth Devotional, June 2018)
He also taught that this gathering includes God’s children on both sides of the veil and that the Lord is hastening this work in preparation for what lies ahead.
⸻
Dallin H. Oaks
President Oaks has taught that God’s plan of salvation reflects perfect justice and mercy, and that ordinances are required, but mercy ensures access for all:
“Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the plan of salvation includes a way for all who have ever lived to receive the ordinances necessary for exaltation.”
(“The Great Plan of Happiness,” October 1993 General Conference)
He has emphasized that God does not condemn His children for circumstances beyond their control, and that vicarious ordinances are an expression of divine fairness and love.
⸻
Jeffrey R. Holland
President Holland has borne witness that the Savior’s Atonement reaches every soul and every condition, including death itself:
“There is no pain, no anguish, no sorrow, no loneliness that Christ did not experience. There is no injustice He does not understand.”
(“None Were with Him,” April 2009 General Conference)
He has repeatedly testified that Christ descended below all things so that no one would be beyond His redeeming reach.
⸻
This is why Latter-day Saints build temples.
This is why we search records.
This is why we perform sacred ordinances on behalf of others.
Not because we believe we are rescuing the dead by our own righteousness, but because we believe Jesus Christ is rescuing His children, and He invites us to participate in that work.
Between now and the end of this earth as it now is, this is the work God has given His people to do. To gather. To bind. To offer. To witness. To love.
For many of us, baptism for the dead is not strange at all. It is one of the clearest witnesses of the power, fairness, and mercy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
No one is forgotten.
No one is beyond His reach.
And no one is denied a choice.

Your thoughts are welcomed!

My best friend died. All of my life I talked to him about Jesus. Eddie was orphaned in high school. Was a Marine who received the Purple Heart. Took care of every elderly person on his street. He helped every one who needed help. He was truly a wonderful man. He was a man that worked hard for everything he had, and felt that he did well without any help. He was a man of works, but not faith.
A friend of his, a preacher, was with him before he went into surgery. Eddie died on the operating table. The town was wracked with pain over his death. He was so loved by everybody. And kept the tenet Christ asks of us. He loved his neighbor as he loved himself. It makes me cry just to talk about him.
I need him to be with us for eternity. I pray for Christ to have mercy on his soul. I want Jesus to give him a second chance. And so I pray for the dead..,

 

[Cougarbear]

My best friend died. All of my life I talked to him about Jesus. Eddie was orphaned in high school. Was a Marine who received the Purple Heart. Took care of every elderly person on his street. He helped every one who needed help. He was truly a wonderful man. He was a man that worked hard for everything he had, and felt that he did well without any help. He was a man of works, but not faith.
A friend of his, a preacher, was with him before he went into surgery. Eddie died on the operating table. The town was wracked with pain over his death. He was so loved by everybody. And kept the tenet Christ asks of us. He loved his neighbor as he loved himself. It makes me cry just to talk about him.
I need him to be with us for eternity. I pray for Christ to have mercy on his soul. I want Jesus to give him a second chance. And so I pray for the dead..,

There are many wonderful persons who for unknown reasons live Christlike lives but never come to know Christ and believe in Him. The unknown is why it makes sense to perform the exalting ordinances necessary for entrance in the highest degree in Heaven for everyone. God is the judge. We do His work for those who cannot because their bodies are dead. Eddie if not already done, will have his work done and has met with the spirit world missionaries to accept the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[The Irish Ram]

I can't imagine my eternity without him, Cougar.

 

[ding]

There are many wonderful persons who for unknown reasons live Christlike lives but never come to know Christ and believe in Him. The unknown is why it makes sense to perform the exalting ordinances necessary for entrance in the highest degree in Heaven for everyone. God is the judge. We do His work for those who cannot because their bodies are dead. Eddie if not already done, will have his work done and has met with the spirit world missionaries to accept the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And if you didn't, do you suppose God would reject them because they weren't Moron?

 

[ding]

Baptism is primarily for the living as a declaration of faith, but some traditions, notably The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), practice proxy baptism for deceased relatives, interpreting 1 Corinthians 15:29 as a New Testament precedent for this vicarious ordinance, allowing the dead to accept or reject it in the afterlife. Other Christian denominations view baptism as a prerequisite for salvation in life, a choice each person must make, and find proxy baptism unscriptural, though they acknowledge the verse's difficulty.
Mainstream Christian View (Baptism for the Living)

• Personal Choice: Baptism signifies a living person's belief, repentance, and confession of faith in Jesus Christ.
• Not for the Dead: Since the dead cannot make these choices, they cannot receive baptism, and their salvation rests on God's mercy and the individual's life choices.
• 1 Corinthians 15:29: Many scholars interpret this verse (about being "baptized for the dead") as referring to a symbolic act for the spiritually dead or dying, or a misunderstood custom, not a saving ordinance for the deceased.

Latter-day Saint (LDS) View (Proxy Baptism for the Dead)

• Vicarious Ordinance: The living perform baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors as a free-will offering, inspired by 1 Corinthians 15:29.
• Post-Mortem Choice: The deceased spirit can choose to accept or reject this vicarious baptism in the afterlife.
• Purpose: It's seen as an act of familial love, offering salvation opportunities to those who died without hearing the gospel, ensuring no one is denied eternal life due to lack of opportunity.

Summary
Most Christians believe baptism is for the living only, while the LDS Church practices baptism for the dead as a temple ordinance, viewing it as an extension of Christ's work, allowing for post-mortal acceptance.

 

[ding]

The Church performs millions of these proxy ordinances yearly, making a precise, cumulative public count impractical and unnecessary for their purposes. Someone estimated that there has been 100 billion people born on the earth. Keep in mind, those who die before the age of accountability (8 years old) and those who are mentally unable to be held accountable (like mentally retarded or other physical challenges) do not require baptism since they have not sinned.

So the plan is to baptize everyone who has ever lived?

 

[Cougarbear]

And if you didn't, do you suppose God would reject them because they weren't Moron?

If you didn't what? I'm talking about the missionaries in the spirit world like Eddie. Everyone gets the opportunity including the evil ones. This includes billions of Muslims, Hindus, Budhists and Atheists. Most will never have the opportunity in this life to now the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But, the only way one enters into the Kingdom of God (Celestial Glory) is to be baptized by water and of the spirit. Jesus was clear on this. But, he obviously put in place a way for those without this opportunity, but have faith in Christ, to receive the baptisms which are only one on earth. And, that is through vicarious works for the dead.

 

[Cougarbear]

So the plan is to baptize everyone who has ever lived?

Those who lived to the age of accountability and beyond. Age 8. And, had the mental capacity to do so. The Millennium will see thousands of Temples for the work for the dead to accomplish this. Those on earth at the time will not taste death for a thousand years and will not tire. Lots of work to do so we start now and not wait.

 

[DennisPTate]

While the Church keeps records of these baptisms (to avoid doing them twice) within its genealogical system (FamilySearch), these aren't tallied and released as a public membership number. The Church performs millions of these proxy ordinances yearly, making a precise, cumulative public count impractical and unnecessary for their purposes. Someone estimated that there has been 100 billion people born on the earth. Keep in mind, those who die before the age of accountability (8 years old) and those who are mentally unable to be held accountable (like mentally retarded or other physical challenges) do not require baptism since they have not sinned.

If your question is how could it be possible to baptize everyone who has died or will die? Every person born on this earth is known to the Godhead. That includes their DNA and whatever else is required to make sure the work eventually gets done for them that need baptism by water and the spirit. Also, for the grace of their resurrection too. We do what we can in this life to help those who have gone before us as they await their blessings in paradise. The bulk of the work will be done during the 1,000 year millennium when thousands of temples will be built all around the earth.

I have to admit that I personally am hopeful that Latter day Saints are correct about the deceased being able to learn and progress in the afterlife?

“Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection” (Alma 40:12–14).

The spirits are classified according to the purity of their lives and their obedience to the will of the Lord while on earth. The righteous and the wicked are separated (see 1 Nephi 15:28–30), but the spirits may progress as they learn gospel principles and live in accordance with them. The spirits in paradise can teach the spirits in prison (see D&C 138).

Paradise​

According to the prophet Alma, the righteous spirits rest from earthly care and sorrow. Nevertheless, they are occupied in doing the work of the Lord. President Joseph F. Smith saw in a vision that immediately after Jesus Christ was crucified, He visited the righteous in the spirit world. He appointed messengers, gave them power and authority, and commissioned them to “carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men” (D&C 138:30).

The Church is organized in the spirit world, and priesthood holders continue their responsibilities there (see D&C 138:30). President Wilford Woodruff taught: “The same Priesthood exists on the other side of the veil. … Every Apostle, every Seventy, every Elder, etc., who has died in the faith as soon as he passes to the other side of the veil, enters into the work of the ministry” (Deseret News, Jan. 25, 1882, 818).

Family relationships are also important. President Jedediah M. Grant, a counselor to Brigham Young, saw the spirit world and described to Heber C. Kimball the organization that exists there: “He said that the people he there saw were organized in family capacities. … He said, ‘When I looked at families, there was a deficiency in some, … for I saw families that would not be permitted to come and dwell together, because they had not honored their calling here’” (Deseret News, Dec. 10, 1856, 316–17).

Spirit Prison​

The Postmortal Spirit World
“Chapter 41: The Postmortal Spirit World,” Gospel Principles (2011), 240–44

 

[Cougarbear]

I have to admit that I personally am hopeful that Latter day Saints are correct about the deceased being able to learn and progress in the afterlife?

Because you are into out of body experiences or near death things, you should really take note of this. It's all true. Better to be ready to enter into the work in the next life by being properly baptized by correct priesthood authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints then spending time with stuff that will separate you from this future calling.

 

[ding]

If you didn't what? I'm talking about the missionaries in the spirit world like Eddie. Everyone gets the opportunity including the evil ones. This includes billions of Muslims, Hindus, Budhists and Atheists. Most will never have the opportunity in this life to now the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But, the only way one enters into the Kingdom of God (Celestial Glory) is to be baptized by water and of the spirit. Jesus was clear on this. But, he obviously put in place a way for those without this opportunity, but have faith in Christ, to receive the baptisms which are only one on earth. And, that is through vicarious works for the dead.

I'm confused. You are speaking of everyone but my understanding is that it is limited to relatives.

 

[Cougarbear]

I'm confused. You are speaking of everyone but my understanding is that it is limited to relatives.

Nope…after doing our genealogy we can take names of people to the temple or submit for others to do the work. Over the years, I’ve done the work for those I don’t know and families I don’t know from all over the world.
This is typical that people are misinformed about most of our beliefs. If you got your information from qualified members you would have a completely different opinion about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

[ding]

Nope…after doing our genealogy we can take names of people to the temple or submit for others to do the work. Over the years, I’ve done the work for those I don’t know and families I don’t know from all over the world.
This is typical that people are misinformed about most of our beliefs. If you got your information from qualified members you would have a completely different opinion about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

No, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) (Mormons) are not planning to proxy baptize everyone; their focus is on proxy baptisms for their own deceased ancestors, not the general public, and it's presented as an offering for the dead to accept or reject, not a forced conversion. While members are encouraged to find and perform these ordinances for their family members, they must only submit names of deceased relatives, with strict rules against proxy baptizing celebrities or Holocaust victims.
Key Aspects of LDS Proxy Baptism:

• Focus on Ancestors: The primary goal is to provide a chance for direct ancestors (parents, grandparents, etc.) to accept baptism after death, fostering family unity in the afterlife.
• Voluntary Acceptance: It's a free-will offering; the deceased person in the spirit world has the agency to accept or reject the ordinance, meaning it doesn't change their religion or heritage without their consent.
• Not for Everyone: Rules prohibit submitting names of non-relatives, celebrities, or Holocaust victims, emphasizing it's for personal family history.
• Scriptural Basis: The practice is linked to scriptures like 1 Corinthians 15:29, interpreted as a restoration of early Christian practice, according to the Church's beliefs.
• Required for Exaltation (LDS View): Within LDS theology, baptism (including proxy baptism for the deceased) is considered necessary for exaltation in God's kingdom, but they believe God doesn't condemn those who never had the chance in life.

In essence, it's a genealogical and spiritual practice aimed at extending opportunities to deceased family members, with strict guidelines on who can be submitted.