Baptism for the Dead

The doctrine of baptism for the dead is an essential part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe that God gives all of his children the opportunity to receive his message and to manifest their discipleship through entering the waters of baptism. Because not all of God's children have the opportunity to do this in mortality (while living on earth), God gives them the opportunity to receive the gospel even after death, and a living person then is baptized, physically, on behalf of the deceased individual. There's a few fundamental things I want to point out about this very simplified explanation:

1) All of this centers around the concept of agency-- the idea and LDS belief that all men and women are free to act for themselves. God doesn't force anyone to do anything. People have choice. Of course, sometimes another person's agency affects our lives, meaning that sometimes things happen that weren't brought about by our own choices. However, we still maintain the right to respond to whatever circumstances or struggles we come across. This makes total and complete sense to me because I believe in a God who is fair. He doesn't pick and choose favorites (neither do my mortal parents). He loves us all the same, and loves us so much that he gives us the right to choose what we want for ourselves.

2) The discussion on baptism for the dead also highlights an even greater idea-- the Plan of Salvation. Essentially, baptism into Christ's church is a critical step in our eternal progression. God has a plan. He sent us to earth to receive a body and to exercise our agency (to choose good, or to choose evil). We live on earth, but when we die, our existence is not over. We will be resurrected (as was Christ), we will be judged, and we will receive an eternal increase in one of three different kingdoms or degrees of glory (1 Corinthians 15). Because we must be baptized to receive eternal glory and live with God in the celestial kingdom, he will provide us with the opportunity to be baptized-- whether that opportunity comes in mortal existence, or after.

Thus, baptism for the dead provides all people-- ALL of God's children-- with the opportunity to accept his gospel and his will. Baptism is a physical ordiance, so those who choose to receive the gospel in the spirit life after death are not officially received into the kingdom until someone performs the ordinance on their behalf (someone living on earth). Although baptisms are performed for those who have passed on, performing that act does not impede upon their will and free choice in any way-- it is still their decision to receive it, or not.

Joseph Smith received this revelation about baptism for the dead as he mourned the loss of his brother, Alvin, who had died before being baptized. Knowing that salvation came only to those who are baptized, Joseph was greatly troubled for his brother's soul. The Lord gave Joseph this revelation, now Doctrine & Covenants 137, to comfort him and help him know that his brother was okay. People who die without receiving the gospel are provided that opportunity in the next life, and children who die before the age of accountability (eight years) are not damned. This also makes sense to me. "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgressions" (The Articles of Faith). Latter-day Saints have a view on original sin that differs from most Christians. Although we believe in the reality of the fall (of Adam and Eve), we do not believe that we will be punished for their transgressions. The fall was an essential part of the plan of salvation-- it brought about our agency. It ushered in mortality. And consequently, children who die before the age of eight (when they can get baptized) are not punished. Instead, they are assured exaltation and everlasting life with Heavenly Father. Again, this makes absolute sense to me. The God I worship, a fair and loving God, gives his children-- all of them-- the opportunity to choose to be part of his church. And if they die before the age of accountability, they did not have that opportunity and thus will not be punished for having not received that opportunity.

Well, I love this doctrine. It makes sense to me, and I have a testimony of it. I know that Heavenly Father loves each of his children. I only comprehend a little tiny portion of that love, and even that small portion I understand is so great that it fills me with joy! Heavenly Father is so wonderful. His son, Jesus Christ, provided the way for us to be forgiven and to grow through the gift of his Atonement. This is part of our eternal progression. I believe that baptism is the first principle and ordinance of the gospel, and that choosing to become part of God's church was just about the greatest choice I ever made.

A hymn that explains how I feel when I think about everything God has provided us and how much he loves us is "How Great Thou Art":

O Lord my God,

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all

The works Thy Hand hath made,

I see the stars,

I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout

The universe displayed;

And when I think,

That God his son not sparing,

Sent him to die,

I scarce can take it in.

That on the cross,

My burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died,

To take away my sin.

When Christ shall come,

With shouts of acclamation,

And take me home,

What joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow

In humble adoration

And there proclaim,

"My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!