• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

FAIR

Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

  • Find Answers
  • Blog
  • Media & Apps
  • Conference
  • Bookstore
  • Archive
  • About
  • Get Involved
  • Search
You are here: Home / Temples / Purpose / What of the dead?

What of the dead?

The resurrected Jesus shows his wounds to the apostles
The resurrected Jesus shows his wounds to the apostles.

Most people live and die without the opportunity to hear of Jesus Christ or his atonement.

Yet, his atonement is the only way for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father.  And, God requires that we accept Jesus’ atonement by making promises (covenants) through ordinances (such as baptism), and keeping those promises.

This is one key reason that Mormons build temples.  Within temples, members of the Church engage in proxy ordinances–this means that they perform the ordinances in behalf of someone who is dead.

An example

For example, let us imagine that John is a member of the Church.  John loves the gospel and the atonement of Jesus Christ.  He realizes, however, that his grandfather Henry did not know about Jesus Christ.  Henry was a good man, but he was not a religious believer.  John wishes to provide Henry the opportunity to accept Jesus’ atonement.

Therefore, John would go to a temple, and would be baptized in Henry’s name.  The ordinance would be the same as it was for John when he was baptized–a member of the Church’s priesthood would say the baptismal prayer, then place John beneath the water, and raise him up again.  The only difference is that the prayer offered would say, “I baptize you in behalf of Henry, who is dead.”

Proxy baptism does not automatically save

The Baptism of Jesus: Stained glass window from Nauvoo, Illinois Temple.
The Baptism of Jesus: Stained glass window from Nauvoo, Illinois Temple.

Just as members of the Church believe that we existed as spirits with God before we were born, they also believe that our spirits continue to exist after death.  Our personality, ability to choose, and sense of right and wrong continue after we die.  Those who have not heard about the plan of happiness and Jesus’ atonement will be taught after their death.  They can choose to accept or reject that message, just as those on earth can accept or reject it.

But, because the dead do not have physical bodies, they cannot be baptized–therefore, members of the Church provide the baptism in their behalf as a service.

Members do not know who will accept the baptisms, and who will not.  It is possible that John’s grandfather Henry will not choose to accept Jesus.  In this case, the baptism would be null and void–only Henry’s willingness to make the covenant of baptism gives it any power.  Thus, John does not believe that he has “made Henry a Mormon.”  He has merely given Henry the chance to accept the gospel if Henry chooses to do so.

The idea of baptism in behalf of the dead is not new.  It is taught in the Bible, and practiced by some early Christians.

To learn more:

  • “Baptism for the dead,” fairmormon.org.

Footer

FairMormon Logo

FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Our Friends

  • BYU Religious Studies Center
  • BYU Studies
  • Book of Mormon Central
  • TheFamilyProclamation.org
  • Interpreter Foundation
  • Wilford Woodruff Papers Project

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • iTunes
  • YouTube
Android app on Google Play Download on the App Store

Donate to FAIR

We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.

Donate Now

Site Footer

Copyright © 1997-2025 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of FAIR, its officers, directors or supporters.

No portion of this site may be reproduced without the express written consent of The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc.

Any opinions expressed, implied, or included in or with the goods and services offered by FAIR are solely those of FAIR and not those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) Logo

FAIR is controlled and operated by the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR)