Discussion No. 15
Salvation for the Dead
Objective: To show that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God because of the doctrine of Salvation for the Dead.
1. When the Angel Moroni visited the Prophet Joseph Smith in his bedroom on September 21, 1823, he quoted, three times, that night, Mal. 4:5-6, with a slight change as follows:
“Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood by the hand of Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
“And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers and the hearts of the children shall turn to the fathers. If it were not so the whole earth would be utterly wasted at His coming.” D. & C. 110.
2. On April 3, 1836, Elijah the Prophet appeared in the Kirtland, Ohio, Temple and laid his hands upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and bestowed upon them authority to perform Gospel ordinances for the dead – baptisms, sealings and marriage for eternity. D. & C. 110:13-16; D. & C. 128:15-18.
3. The Church accepts without qualification the scripture that baptism is indispensable. John 3:5; Mark 16;15-16; D. & C. 76:50-53.
a. That baptism involves the use of water – a physical substance.
b. That death incapacitates the making of a covenant of baptism.
4. Vicarious work for the dead.
a. The Church proclaims that baptism may be performed vicariously. Christ himself was a vicarious sacrifice for the whole human race. Matt. 20:26-28; Alma 42:23.
b. Owner of real estate dies, court appoints executor (vicarious person) and when he deeds that real estate, it is just as valid as if the owner had deeded it during his lifetime.
c. Burnt offering a proxy for atonement. Lev. 1:4.
5. Baptism essential for all.
a. If personal incapacity resulting from death would excuse one, then baptism for the living likewise could be dispensed with entirely. therefore, scriptures require it, no exception can be made, living or dead.
b. The Savior Himself was baptized. matt. 3:13-17.
c. “And now if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water to fulfill all righteousness, O then how much more have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water.” 2 Nephi 31:5.
d. “And he commandeth all men that they must repent and be baptized in His name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the Kingdom of God.” 2 Nephi 9:23.
6. therefore, in compliance with the authority bestowed by Elijah, and the later revelations received by Joseph Smith, Temples have been built and baptisms have been performed by the living for millions who have died without a knowledge of the gospel. D. & C. 128.
7. Such an important doctrine, if a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, must have been taught and practiced in Biblical times.
a. All, even the dead, must have an opportunity for salvation. 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Phil. 2:9-10; Acts 4:12; Rom. 10:13-14; John 5:28; Acts 10:34-36; rom. 14:9; D. & C. 76:110; D. & C. 88:104; I Cor. 15:19.
8. Jesus Christ preached to spirits in prison. Isaiah 24:22; 42:6-7.
a. Thief on the cross and those disobedient in days of Noah. Luke 23:39-43; John 20;11-17; 1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:6.
b. Baptism for dead performed. 1 Cor. 15:29.
c. They without us cannot be made perfect. Heb. 11:40.
Note: Missionary Bible Ready Reference – pages 51-53.
9. Epiphanius, a writer of the fourth century says of Christians, “A traditional fact concerning them has reached us, that when any of them have died without baptism they used to baptize others in their name, lest in the resurrection they should suffer punishment as unbaptized.” Heresies 8:7.
10. Even more emphatic is the testimony from the records of the Council of Carthage held in 397 A.D. clearly declaring that the Christians of that date did practice vicarious baptisms for the dead, for in the sixth canon of that council the prevailing church forbids any further administration of baptism for the dead.
11. Beauties of the doctrine:
a. The thought that those who receive and obey the Gospel of Christ in its fulness while in the flesh, can aid in the work of redemption for their ancestors whoa re in the spirit world, is most delightful to the reverent soul.
b. It shows the value of those genealogies which Israel, the covenant people of God, were moved upon in olden times to preserve. Matt. 1; Luke 3:22-38; Gen. 5 to 12 chapters.
c. It stimulates the faithful in Christ to good works that they may become “Saviors on Mount Zion.” Obed. 1:21.
d. It explains how the nations composed of millions upon millions of souls that never heard the gospel or the name of Jesus Christ may ultimately be redeemed and made heirs to salvation.
e. It points out the way by which Christ shall eventually obtain the victory over Satan and prove Himself “a ransom for all.” 1 Tim. 2:6. And present His perfect work to the father, not one soul having been lost but the sons of perdition, who sinned unto death and could not be forgiven in this world or in the world to come. 1 Cor. 15;25.
12.
a. A Temple Building people the same as the Lord’s covenant people have been. Ex. 25:8; 40:34-38; 1 Kings Chap. 6 and 8; Ezra Chap. 1, 2 and 6; Matt. 27:50-51.
b. Latter-day Temples – Kirtland – D & C 124:39, dedicated March 27, 1836 – D & C 109. Nauvoo Temple erection commanded 1841 – dedicated May 1, 1846 – D & C 124:25=55. Salt Lake Temple site selected 4 days after entrance to valley.
13. Genealogical Work. Joseph Smith said:
“The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead. The Apostle says they without us cannot be made perfect.”
“Let us, therefore, as a Church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness, and let us present in his holy temple when it is finished (Nauvoo Temple) a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of acceptance.” D. & C. 128:24.
Supplementary References:
Temples of the Most High – Lundahl
Life of Joseph F. Smith – Chapter 39
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder – Richards
Suggested Tracts:
Resurrection of the Dead – Talmage
Three Degrees of Glory – Melvin J. Ballard
Life’s Greatest Questions – McAllister
Your Family Tree – Peterson