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About Gene Black
Expertise
I can answer questions related to LDS beliefs and history as well as doctrinal questions pertaining to the standard works (Bible, Book of Mormon, etc.) I believe strongly in personal revelation and hope that all answers I provide will be carefully considered, and prayed about before being accepted.
Experience
I've been a member of the LDS Church all of my life, have served a mission for the Church, have been sealed to my wife in the Washington, DC temple, and enjoy reading books on LDS history and the teachings of the prophets.
Organizations
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Education/Credentials
A love for people and a strong desire to seek after the word of God. I try hard to follow the command "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men."
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You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Restorationism > Latter-day Saints > Family History and mormon doctrine
Latter-day Saints - Family History and mormon doctrine
Expert: Gene Black - 9/28/2008
Question
Dear Mr Gene,
Could you explain me please why is family history considered as one of the most important beliefs of mormon doctrine and what is its relation with "Temple Worship"?
Thank you
Guille
Answer
To fully answer your question would require that I cover pretty much all of our beliefs. Since I'm not quite sure that's the level of detail you're looking for in this answer, I'm going to "gloss over" several things along the way - feel free to ask additional questions if I don't provide the level of detail you're looking for.
We believe there are certain ordinances that are essential to the salvation of man. Some of these ordinances, due to their sacred nature, must be performed in Temples, which are holy, dedicated places of God. Anciently, men often sought out these places when they wished to commune with God. In absence of a temple, they would often go to a mountain top. We see from the Old Testament that the temples were obviously places where ordinances of God were performed, but due to the sacred nature of these ordinances, often the details were lacking.
We believe one of these essential ordinances is the ordinance of baptism by immersion by one holding the authority from God to do so. In the New Testament, we see that Jesus sought out John the Baptist both because John had the needed authority to perform the ordinance, and also so that he could be obedient to the commandment. Because John was baptizing others, and this before meeting Christ, we can see that baptism was not a new ordinance and was an ordinance the people were familiar with. Repeatedly, throughout the New Testament, we have Christ instructing the Apostles to teach the people about baptism, and instances of the Apostles doing just that.
We believe the instruction Christ gave to Nicodemus in St John 3:5 "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." We believe this applies to all men and women everywhere (except for little children, and those who due to mental illness are as little children), who have ever lived or will ever live upon the earth. If they are to enter the kingdom of God, they must undergo the ordinance of baptism.
This said, we also believe that God, who is a perfectly just and loving heavenly parent, has provided a way for those who did not have the chance to receive this ordinance in life to receive it. This is referred to as "baptism for the dead" and is an ordinance that God has commanded us to perform in His Holy Temples. Baptism for the dead is a vicarious ordinance - someone living stands in for the person who is deceased. This is not unlike the Crucifixion in which Christ stood in for us and paid the penalty for our sins.
Only one direct reference to baptism for the dead has survived in the Bible and this is found in 1st Corinthians 15. Paul was addressing a group of Saints where some among them had fallen into the incorrect belief that there was no resurrection and he then asked them in verse 29 "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?" Or in other words, "Why are you bothering to do baptisms for the dead if you don't believe in a resurrection?" There are other evidences of this doctrine among the early church, but it was latter removed and deemed to be heretical, most likely because it's purpose had been lost and the manner in which the ordinance itself was performed had become corrupted.
By performing baptisms for the dead, those who have passed on are given an opportunity to accept the ordinance of baptism - it is in no way forced upon them as they must accept the ordinance for it be valid much as one who is baptized in life must live according to the covenants of baptism (in a nutshell - to follow Christ) to receive the promised blessings (The Gift of the Holy Ghost and entrance into the Kingdom of God).
To perform baptisms for these people, we must first know who they are, and hence the need for genealogical efforts.
In addition to the ordinance of baptism, there are other ordinances we also believe are essential and these are performed for the dead as well. One of these is what we term "eternal marriage" or marriage not just for the duration of your life, but for eternity. Husbands and wives are sealed together and their children are in turn sealed to them. In this manner, we may be sealed together as the family of God, child to parents, back to Adam and Eve, and ultimately to God.
We realize that we will not be able to obtain all of the information needed to do this work from the records presently available to us, but believe we are expected to do all that we can at this time. We believe that during the millennial reign of Christ on Earth, that the records we are missing will be made available to us through Heavenly means so that we may complete this work which God has commanded of us.
I hope this has answered your question. If you have additional questions, or I have been too vague on a particular point, please feel free to ask additional questions.
Thanks!
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