Why do Mormons baptize the dead?

Question

Once you are dead its too late right?

Catholics Baptize as kids, Protestants as coming of age and by decision, but mormons di it after you are dead.

Answer 1

It's their way of getting right with God. However it is too late. You need to make that decision to be baptized with a sound mind and solid beliefs.

Answer 2

Because baptism is an essential ordinance for salvation. Jesus says, "Except a man be born of the water and of the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) Many people have not had the opportunity to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ in this life. Because God is a just God, he will not damn people to hell just because they didn't have the chance to get baptized. That is why Mormons perform baptisms for the dead. The dead will have the opportunity to accept or reject the baptism. Baptisms for the dead were also performed by early Christians. Paul mentions baptisms for the dead. He says,"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 Corintheans 15:29)

Answer 3

1 Cor 15:29, "Else what shall they do which are bptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then Baptized for the Dead."

God is a merciful God, he knows there are millions of spirits that die without hearing the word of God and receiving their own salvation, so God told us that we need to baptise for the dead so that there will be salvation available for those who didn't hear the word of God.

When we baptize for the dead it is still up to the dead to accept the ordinance, if they don't want it then it as no effect on them, if they do then they accept it then they receive the salvation.

If God is an all loving Being then he should provide a way for the children who died without a knowledge of Christ and his gospel. How would that be done? If he didn't then he isn't an all loving God.

Answer 4

Because we believe that God is merciful and that he will not damn someone for not having the chance to be baptized or to be taught the Gospel. We believe that after you die you go to heaven and are taught and that God's blessings are for all people that have lived. All people will have the chance to reject or accept the Gospel and baptism--even Hitler. And this is not something that is unique to the Mormons, this was practiced in Ancient times and was spoken of by Paul in the New Testament.

Answer 5

Because they believe that if you do that, you can still 'save' those who are deceased. The Mormons have so many odd beliefs/practices; baptizing the dead is really only the surface.

Answer 6

Baptism for the dead is the proxy performance of the ordinance of baptism for one who is deceased. Joseph Smith taught that Latter-day Saints could be baptized for and in behalf of their dead kindred who had not heard the gospel or received the opportunity to be baptized. Joseph affirmed that this practice was a principle of joy, in contrast to the prevailing tradition that all unbaptized souls are damned. Baptisms for the dead are performed in Latter-day Saint temples in fonts dedicated for that purpose. Women are baptized for deceased women, and men are baptized for deceased men. The performance of the ordinance is the same for the dead as it is for the living, with the addition of the words "for and in behalf of [the deceased]" in the baptismal prayer. According to the law of agency, the deceased have the right to accept or reject baptism and other ordinances performed in their behalf. Latter-day Saints are baptized not only for their own forebears, but also for other persons unrelated to them. This divinely authorized ordinance of baptism is a demonstration of love and has eternal implications by making the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ available to those who have died without them.

The Bible provides textual evidence of vicarious baptism for the dead. In his first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul wrote: "Otherwise, what shall they do who are being baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are they being baptized for them" (1 Corinthians 15:29). This verse is part of Paul's argument against those who denied a future resurrection. He refers to a practice of vicarious baptism, a practice for which we have no other evidence in the Pauline epistles or other New Testament writings. Interpreters have puzzled over the fact that Paul seems to accept this practice. He clearly refers to a distinct group within the Church, a group that he accuses of inconsistency between ritual and doctrine. Ancient commentators (A.D. 150) knew of vicarious baptism for the dead but considered it heretical, interpreting Paul's comment away. But in light of this and other biblical statements, most modern theologians agree that Paul was speaking plainly about a practice within the Church of vicarious baptism for the dead.

Answer 7

Actually, they do it for everyone who uses their data base to trace their genetic line. I have a friend who has been baptized in the name of dozens of people.

Answer 8

You would think so. Plus it might be against that dead person's wishes right?
I'm catholic. Why the hell would I want to be baptized mormon after I die?

Answer 9

Baptizing dead people huh???? mmmmmmm...um...did you actually see it happen and know for a fact that they do it??

They baptize FOR THE DEAD. LOL!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

They believe that they can claim the souls of people who have died. A person can claim ancestors.