Mormon baptism of the dead?

Question

Why is it that after a person is passed on, that the Mormon Church baptizes them? Is it wrong for them to be baptized without the person having a say? Does someone actually have a say, like family etc, even if they're family, do they have the right to give that permission? Your thoughts...?

Answer 1

We perform vicarious baptisms for the dead, because baptism is an Earthly ordinance that everyone needs to enter the Celestial Kingdom; baptisms are not performed in the next life. Although we perform the baptisms here on Earth, the ordinance is only valid if the person for whom the ordinance is performed is willing to accept the work done on their behalf. So, yes, the person does have a say in the matter. Furthermore, the names submitted for this type of ordinance are those found through the genealogy work of current Church members; therefore, these are usually the ancestors of Church members.

Some Non-Mormons seem to feel as if this practice is unfair, and that it forces dead people to posthumously become members of the Church. This is not the case. These baptisms are not recorded as part of Church membership. Plus, if a Non-Mormon does not accept the authority of the Mormons to baptize, why would they be worried? If the Mormons' authority is not accepted by God, then the baptisms they are performing are invalid anyway. Having one's permission to perform an invalid ordinance on their behalf then becomes pointless. On the other hand, if they do have God's authority to baptize, then this is indeed a great work, and millions of people who have died will have the opportunity to accept an authorized baptism done on their behalf.

Answer 2

The story goes that the dead person on the other side can accept the baptism or not. Since not everyone gets a chance to accept the Latter Day Saints opportunity they baptize the dead so they can get that chance. The next of kin will give permission to baptize.

It may sound strange to some people but I think it's a nice sentiment and a way to honor deceased loved ones.

Answer 3

I'm going to paste a few things because I've asked this question myself before, and found a good source:

"If salvation is only through Christ, what happens to all the billions of people who lived and died without ever even hearing of Christ? And if we must be baptized to enter into a covenant with Christ what of those that never had a chance? Most views expressed on the topic said that they go to hell."

"Baptism for the dead is a powerful evidence that Joseph Smith was a real prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored. The LDS practice has long been derided as absolute fiction and an abomination, and based on a terrible misinterpretation of 1 Cor.15:29. However, long after Joseph Smith restored the practice through revelation, dozens of ancient documents have turned up showing that early Christians (at least some) indeed believed in and practiced baptism for the dead much as we do today."


For the entire article, please see my source listing.

Answer 4

The Mormon Baptism for the Dead is not a sneaky way for mormons to convert dead people. It is done with the idea that, if in the next life, they realize the mormon church is true, and they accept the mormon gospel, they can accept the baptism that has been done for them. If they don't choose to accept the mormon gospel, they can reject the baptism.

Answer 5

It is offensive.The Satanic Temple has created a site that allows anyone to Opt Out of the Mormon Baptism for the Dead ritual so they do not have to have their memory desecrated.

www.baptismoptout.com

Answer 6

To be baptized for the dead, you have to have the permission of the closest family relative who is still alive.

Answer 7

Here is what I was told:

If the person was under age 8 when they died, they don't need baptism.

If they were under age 97, you need permission of next of kin, usually spouse or children.

If they are more than 97 years past their date of birth, they can be baptised without asking anyone's permission.

But, we believe, that theh dead person is the one who chooses. They can choose to accept the baptism, or not accept it.

Answer 8

This is why LDS does such vast genealogical work - to provide proxy sealing ordinances, primarily for their dead relatives, and thus help exalt or save them. History shows there were sects that practiced baptism for the dead and Paul was likely referring to them in 1 Cor. 15:29. LDS have to change the pronouns in that verse to subtly twist its meaning, in harmony with their interpretation.

The LDS practice is based on Doctrine & Covenants 124:29-39; 127:5-7; 128:1-3 & 17-18. President Joseph Fielding Smith said, 'If a man cannot enter the kingdom of God without baptism, then the dead must be baptized... The only way it can be done is vicariously, someone who is living acting as a substitute for the dead.'

President Wilford Woodruff said, 'I look upon this portion of our ministry as a mission of as mch importance as preaching to the living; the dead... cannot come forth in the morning of the resurrection, unless certain ordinances are performed for and in their behalf in temples built to the name of God. It takes just as mch to save a dead man as a living man... the God of heaven requires us to rise up and build [temples] that the work of redemption may be hastened... I will here say, before closing, that two weeks before I left St. George [Utah], the spirits of the dead gathered around me, wanting to know why we did not redeem them... These were the signers of the Declaration of Independence and they waited on me for two days and two nights... I straightway went into the baptismal fount and called upon brother McCallister to baptise me for the signers of the Declaration of Independance, and fifty other eminent men, making one hundred in all, including John Wesley, Columbus, and others; I then baptized him for every President of the United States, except three...'

So, to answer your question, no - permission does not come into it unless the spirits of dead people appear to Mormons to ask for this baptism! Further, this practice teaches salvation by works and ignores the scriptures: 'None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him' (Ps 49:7). Also, we are 'not redeemed with corruptible things' (1 Pet 1:18). Are man-made temples, water and men who stand proxy for the dead corruptible? Yes! Only the precious blood of Jesus Christ saves us - not water baptism (1 Pet 1:19).

Answer 9

If it brings comfort to the family whats the big deal. What does it hurt?

Answer 10

Philippians 2:12 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

I cannot finish someone esle walk of life.