BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD????

 The Mormon Church teaches that it is of the utmost importance that faithful LDS baptize for the dead during their "sacred" Temple Ceremony.  Biblically speaking, there is absolutely zero basis for any Christian or even any Jew for that matter, to do such a thing.  Not a single soul in the Bible, including Jesus, ever spoke about this "important" ritual in any detail what-so-ever.  LDS will claim that no one in the Bible teaches about baptism for the dead because "parts of the Bible are missing."  

Well, assuming that this is indeed true, then let's research the word "baptize" in the Bible within the parts that ARE there.

The word "baptize" in all its forms:  i.e.:  baptism, baptized, baptizing etc., is mentioned 99+ times in the Bible.  Think of it -- the Bible speaks about baptism over 99 times in the Bible and in all those 99+ times, never, ever not even once is it ever taught that baptizing for the DEAD is something Christians must do.  In all 99+ times in fact (with one exception), only baptizing for the LIVING is described and in great detail in many cases.  So the question must be asked, if this is such an essential part of a Mormon Temple ceremony, why aren't we taught anything at all about it during the 99+ times that baptism IS mentioned in the Bible?

Here is a quick study of this one scripture that LDS use to defend the practice of baptizing for the dead:

1 Corinthians 15:29  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?

Please note that it is this ONE scripture, this one and only scripture that is the entire basis of a huge organization within the Mormon church that researches genealogy.  This despite the fact scripture clearly states we are never to bother with the things of the dead or of the spirit world (Lev. 19:31; 20:6; 20:27; Deut. 18:9-12).  The gulf between the dead and the living is something that can not be crossed anyway, so baptism for the dead is useless (Luke 16:19-26)  Also, it is important to note some very simple and basic grammar here when we read this scripture.  In context and using basic grammatical rules, one clearly sees that when Paul refers to Christians or himself, he uses the words "I," "we," "ye," "you."  This is consistent throughout this message.  In complete contrast, when he mentions the practice of baptism for the dead, he changes to "they" as in "what shall THEY do?  Why are THEY then baptized for the dead?"  In the following verses, he returns right back to "we" and "you" in referring to Christians. (Notes in this paragraph were written with the help of Mormonism Shadow or Reality By Jerald and Sandra Tanner p. 452).

Regardless of the fact that there is ZERO Biblical basis in searching for the names of the dead to baptize by "proxy," the Mormon Church spends millions and millions of dollars and uses its members to do endless genealogical research:

"Before vicarious ordinances of salvation and exaltation may be performed for those who have died...they must be accurately and properly identified.  Hence, genealogical research is required...the Church maintains in Salt Lake City one of the world's greatest genealogical societies.  Much of the genealogical source material of various nations of the earth has been or is being microfilmed by this society; millions of dollars is being spent; and a reservoir of hundreds of millions of names and other data about people who lived in past generations is available for study."  Mormon Doctrine, 1966, pp. 308-309/Mormonism Shadow or Reality, pp 452-453.

All this money spent for a ritual that is neither Biblical nor Christian.  And speaking of money, where DO all those millions and millions per day the Mormon Church takes in primarily from tithes, go?  Why won't the Mormon Church disclose to its own members how much money is taken in and where it goes??  Questions anyone should ask themself before becoming involved in this organization.

The Mormons take this ONE scripture and insist that this is the basis for baptizing dead people.  Yet not only does Mormonism teach that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are THREE different gods, but that they themselves can turn into gods someday if they are perfect Mormons following Mormonism to perfection.  This despite the fact that the Bible is replete with commands that we worship only ONE God, the God of the Bible.  Curious indeed.

If your search is for Jesus Christ, He can not be found within the Mormon Church.  Unfortunately, the Mormon Church is a Christian CULT, it is not a legitimate Christian organization, it only RESEMBLES one.

In the interest of fairness, an LDS gentleman wrote me and asked that I correct the above impression of this LDS ordinance. I have decided to quote exactly what he wrote to me:

”The scripture in 1 Corinthians is one we use to demonstrate biblical evidence that baptisms for the dead were performed by early Christians. Please note, as described above, early Christians did not do this according to this very scripture.

However, none of the doctrines or practices associated with the LDS Church come from anyone's interpretations of the Bible. As Latter-day Saints, we believe that the doctrines of the Savior were revealed afresh personally through Joseph Smith, a modern day prophet equivalent to Peter, Paul, Elijah and other ancient prophets. The revelation of the doctrine of performing baptism for the dead can be referenced from Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) 124, 127, and D&C 128; also the seven-volume "History of the Church" has a lot of information about the institution of the practice during Joseph Smith's time. Even if the reference to baptisms for the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29 did not exist, Latter-day Saints would still have that ordinance as part of their worship, because it was revealed through a modern prophet.

Having clarified that, your quote would be more accurate if you re-worded it to state that the scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:29 is one of the only evidences Mormons have to biblically claim that baptisms for the dead were performed by the early members of the Lord's church. That scripture, however, is not the reason the doctrine of proxy baptism is believed throughout the LDS world.

Thanks for your efforts to preach the gospel. It's good to see that there are believers thriving. We Mormons know we are a peculiar bunch, and we want to clarify any misconceptions about our teachings and precepts.”

I am thankful to this LDS gentleman for helping me clarify this issue and assisting me in my attempt to be as precisely accurate as I possibly can be. CJV.

If you do not know the Jesus Christ of the Bible, the one and only true Living Lord and Savior of us all, then you do not know God.  God tells us as a commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."  (Exodus 20:3).  There is no one else beside Him (Deut. 4:35).  The Lord is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath and there is none else (Deut. 4:39).  The Lord our God is ONE Lord (Deut. 6:4).  He is the Savior (Isaiah 43:3).  Beside Him there is no Savior (Isaiah 43:11).  If the Jesus of Mormonism is another god, then either God is a liar or the Jesus of  Mormonism is a false god.  Do not be fooled by false religions.  For more information about legitimate churches, please contact Obadiah Ministries via email by using the link provided below:

Click Here To Email Obadiah Ministries

We will try to help guide you away from cults and false Christian organizations such as the Mormon Church.  Please let us hear from you if you search for God in your life. 

But you don't.  Seek Him while you can!  

           Our redemption draweth nigh!

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