AboutMichael Kelley Expertise For a different viewpoint on Mormonism for your questions, try me. I am a staunch believer in the Book of Mormon and belong to another church (the Church of Christ)that is set up identically to the Biblical church. If there are things about traditional Mormonism that trouble you or you have questions about, just ask and you might find the answers from the Book of Mormon to be quite surprising. I have been studying the scriptures diligently for 16 years under the school of hard knocks... I may not have all of the answers but will sure go find them if I don`t. I`m strongest on Biblical and Book of Mormon doctrines, and am also somewhat familiar with Mormon history and archaeology.
Question friend:
I have run across a doctrine regarding
"baptizing the dead".
could you explain and help me to understand correctly.
thank you very much
cann
(my ref#1C#1529)
Answer Hi Cann,
I apologize for taking long in replying... I've been on the road for the past 2 weeks and couldn't access my emails. I will be happy to answer your question. Please note that I am ex-LDS and belong to the original Church of Christ that believes in the Book of Mormon.
The LDS Utah based church believes and practices the doctrine of Baptism for the Dead, also known as Proxy Baptism or Vicarius Baptism. They believe that a living person can be baptized by immersion in the name of a dead person and the dead person can accept or reject that baptism in the spirit world. In a nutshell they believe that if Uncle Bob had died and had no chance to be baptized, a living person can be baptized in Uncle Bob's name and if Bob wanted to, he could accept it in the spirit world and be saved. They believe that Jesus taught a man must be "born again" which they believe is baptism, or he cannot be saved.
However this strongly goes against what the Book of Mormon teaches. The Book of Mormon plainly teaches that only in THIS life can we repent and accept Jesus, by baptism. The Book of Mormon repeatedly teaches that once you pass away from this life, you cannot change or repent in the next life... your fate is sealed. Both Bible and Book of Mormon teach that he who is filthy shall remain filthy... and that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven. Both books also teach that those who are righteous and possessed by the good spirit will be so in the next.
The LDS counter with Jesus' mandate to be born again, but Jesus was teaching that commandment to the ACCOUNTABLE... those who heard and understood the word. It is they that must be born again... spiritually and by baptism, in THIS life or they cannot be saved. The LDS will then say what about those who never knew the truth, how can they be saved without baptism? Both Books teach that grace is given to those who died in true ignorance... infants, little children, and adults who never came in contact with the gospel. Even in the Old Testament animal sacrifices were offered for those who sinned in ignorance. The Book of Mormon repeatedly teaches that those in ignorance need no baptism, they are saved, and the curse of Adam is not imputed on them.
So, if Uncle Bob had known the gospel and rejected it and refused baptism and died in his sins... he would be damned no matter what sort of baptism was done in his name. And if he died in true ignorance he would then have been unaccountable and not needed baptism and been saved by grace alone. And if he knew the gospel and repented and was baptized... then he of course would not need another to do it in his name.
The Book of Mormon boldly states this:
Moroni 8:9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children.10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!13 Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell.14 Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell.15 For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.17 And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation.18 For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.19 Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy.20 And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption.21 Wo unto such, for they are in danger of death, hell, and an endless torment. I speak it boldly; God hath commanded me. Listen unto them and give heed, or they stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ.22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—23 But it is mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit, and putting trust in dead works.24 Behold, my son, this thing ought not to be; for repentance is unto them that are under condemnation and under the curse of a broken law.
As you can see, the LDS Utah church does not follow thier own Book of Mormon and turned baptism into a "dead work". This is why I left that faction and joined a church that follows the teachings of the Bible and Book of Mormon. There are numerous other doctrines that they follow in opposition to the Bible and Book of Mormon which has caused countless souls to reject the good word found in the Book of Mormon.
Feel free to ask other questions or for specific scripture quotes if you like.
