Baptism for the Dead

Because Heavenly Father loves all his children, and because authorized baptism is absoletely essential for entrance into the Kingdom of God, Heavenly Father provides the saving ordinance of baptism for the dead in holy temples.

The mercy of God provides for baptism for the dead

“Many of Heavenly Father’s children have died without having the opportunity to receive the fullness of the gospel. In His mercy and infinite love, the Lord has prepared a way for them to gain a testimony of the gospel and receive the saving ordinances of the priesthood.

The doctrine of baptism for the dead taught in the Spirit World

In the spirit world, the gospel is ‘preached to those who [have] died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.

These [are] taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.’ 1

Baptism for the dead done by the living

Many in the spirit world embrace the gospel. However, they cannot receive the priesthood ordinances for themselves because they do not have physical bodies.

In holy temples, [worthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ] have the privilege of receiving ordinances in their behalf. These ordinances include baptism, confirmation, Melchizedek Priesthood ordination (for men), the endowment, the marriage sealing, and the sealing of children to parents.

The Lord revealed this work to the Prophet Joseph Smith, restoring a practice that had been revealed to Christians shortly after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 2

Baptism for the Dead--a Christlike work

Worthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ who enter temples and perform this unselfish work for those who have died, become “saviors on Mount Zion.” 3 In essence, they are performing a saving work like the Savior did—doing something for others that they cannot do for themselves.

Questions about 'Baptism for the Dead'

• If baptism is essential for entrance into the Kingdom of God, how does Heavenly Father provide this ordinance to all his children?
• Why does Heavenly Father provide for baptism for the dead?
• How do the spirits of the deceased learn of baptism for the dead?
• How, where and by whom is baptism for the dead performed?
• To whom did Jesus Christ reveal the doctrine of baptism for the dead?
• Why is baptism for the dead a Christlike work?

References for 'Baptism for the Dead'

1. (D&C138: 32-34)
2. (see 1 Corinthians 15:29; True to the Faith, p. 62-63)
3. (Obadiah 1:21)