Baptism for the dead?

Have you ever wondered why we are commanded to get baptized in order to be saved in the Kingdom of God? (Acts 10:48; 2 Nephi 9:23). What about all those people who haven't had or won't have a chance to get baptized? Will they be damned? As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we can answer the latter question. Here it is: OF COURSE NOT! God is merciful; and we believe He would never condemn someone because of a lack of opportunity or knowledge. However, we DO believe that baptism is a necessary ordinance to be saved in the Kingdom of God. But, you might say, how can the two be possible?

Well, it's quite simple, really. We, as Latter-Day Saints, perform baptisms for the dead, just as they did in New Testament times. The apostle, Paul said, "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 was testifying of the resurrection, saying if there wasn't a resurrection, they wouldn't be baptizing for the dead. But, they WERE baptizing for the dead and there IS a resurrection.

We, likewise, perform this same ordinance in our days in LDS temples. Now some might say, 'you mean, you actually baptize dead bodies?' Of course not! Those who have passed on are baptized by proxy through us. 

Now others might say this, 'why would you force that upon someone else if you don't know he/she really wants that?' Well, nothing is forced upon them. The individual may CHOOSE to accept or reject the ordinance performed for him or her. Our Heavenly Father would never force anyone into anything. He has given us all the precious gift of agency. But, we pray that all WILL accept this saving ordinance.

This is a major reason Latter-Day Saints are interested in family history. We want to find all of our ancestors who didn't have a chance to hear and learn the restored gospel on earth—the true and full gospel that Jesus brought to the world. 

I went to the temple just a few days ago with a dear friend of mine. The moment I stepped inside, the most refreshing peace washed over me. I knew I was in the house of the Lord. This dear friend shared with me an old Christian poem that is engraved on the outside of an old English church door. It stands as a perfect reminder for the frame of mind we need to be in to enter the Lord's house. President Spencer W. Kimball quotes the following poem in a Conference talk that you can find here:

Enter this door as if the floor within were gold;

And every wall of jewels all of wealth untold;

As if a choir in robes of fire were singing here;

Nor shout nor rush but hush … for God is here.

Is that not beautiful? The temple is the one place on earth that is closest to heaven. How grateful I am for the power it brings to my life!