Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perform vicarious baptisms for the dead in LDS temples around the world. But many misunderstand what this process involves, why it's performed, and how Mormons understand baptism's to impact salvation of the individual.
Why Baptism for the Dead?
In John 3:5 Jesus taught that "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Mormons believe that baptism is necessary for anyone to go to the celestial kingdom.
There are many people who have lived and died without ever knowing about Jesus Christ or the essential ordinance of baptism, and many others have been baptized without valid priesthood authority. (Mormons believe that priesthood authority was lost from the earth thousands of years ago and then restored to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1829.)
Scriptural Support for and History of Vicarious Baptism
The practice of proxy baptism for the dead in this day and age was instituted by Joseph Smith in 1841, but Mormons believe that ancient Christians baptized their dead as well.
In 1 Corinthians 15:29, Paul writes, "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?"
Mormon Baptisms for the Dead
One of the reasons the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is so interested in genealogy is to create an orderly system for vicarious baptism for the dead.
There are church genealogy databases, but members of the church are encouraged to find their ancestors and make sure that ordinance work is done on their behalf.
Baptismal Font and Procedures of LDS Proxy Baptisms
Baptisms for the dead are performed in Mormon temples in special baptismal fonts (see picture below, click to enlarge.) A baptismal font for living people in a regular chapel is quite plain, but fonts in the temple rest on a statue of 12 oxen, symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel. Mormons believe that when someone is baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are adopted into the House of Israel.
Other than being performed in the temple, baptisms for the dead are much like regular Mormon baptisms. Living participants wear white and are baptized by immersion. The officiator says, "I baptize you for and in behalf of [name]" before the baptism.
Spirits are Free to Accept or Reject Baptism in their Name
The most common misconception about LDS baptism for the dead is that it makes a person an automatic Mormon without their knowledge or consent. Many groups have objected to baptism for the dead based on that falsehood.
But Mormon doctrine clearly states that each person in the spirit world decides whether he or she wants to accept the baptism or not. Baptism for the dead simply gives them the opportunity to make the choice.
Who Can Perform LDS Baptisms for the Dead?
Mormons ages 12 and up who have had an interview with their bishop can get a limited-use temple recommend for performing baptisms for the dead in the temple.
The purpose of the interview is to make sure that the person understands the sacred nature of what they are doing and is free of any serious moral sins, making them worthy to enter the temple.
Other Proxy Ordinances for the Dead
After baptism for the dead, Mormons also vicariously perform all the other necessary ordinances on behalf of a deceased person. Vicariously, they are confirmed to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and complete the temple ordinances of initiatory, endowment, and sealing to family members.
Mormons believe that baptism is necessary for salvation. They also believe that a loving Father in Heaven would never send billions of His children to hell just because they didn't have the opportunity to be baptized in mortality. Those who have died without baptism have the ordinances done by proxy for them, which they are then free to accept or reject.
Sources:
- The Holy Bible, King James Version. Salt Lake City: Intellectual Reserve, 1979.
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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