Baptisms for the dead sounds kinda creepy.

My husband, Patrick.

If you have met a Mormon, talked to that Mormon, and talked a little more to that Mormon about Mormon’s, you will have probably learned a little bit about the idea of Baptisms for the dead.

Which is why I have decided to write this article!

In this article I will go over a few things.

• What you probably think when you hear that.
• What it actually means.
• How family history ties into it.
• Why we do it.
• How we do it and where.

I used to think that Baptisms for the dead meant that you would actually baptize dead bodies.

Is that what you first thought when you heard Baptisms for the dead? Probably, but that is not how it works. Because that would be really creepy.

When we talk about baptisms, or work, for the dead, it means that we stand in proxy of the deceased. When one choses to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are baptized just like Jesus Christ; by emersion.

So when a worthy member of the Church does baptisms for the dead, the man doing the ordinance simply switches out the deceased persons name for your name, baptize you in their stead, and that’s it!

People still think this is weird and not Christian. Why?

I don’t have an answer as to why people think being baptized in proxy of someone else is not Christian. It is clearly stated in scripture that missionary work will continue after this life.

Why would missionary work continue but not baptism? The bible clearly states this is the case.

By which also he went and ^apreached unto the ^bspirits in ^cprison;

1 Peter 3:19

 ^aFor for this cause was the ^bgospel ^cpreached also to them that are ^ddead, that they might be ^ejudged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

1 Peter 4:6

For a more comprehensive understanding of how, why, and when baptisms for the dead came about, click HERE to read on.

Mormons LOVE family history work. Why?

The answer to this question is super simple and found in the Old Testament.

And he shall ^aturn the ^bheart of the ^cfathers to the ^dchildren, and the heart of the ^echildren to their fathers, lest I come and ^fsmite the ^gearth with a ^hcurse.

Malachi 4:6

This scripture is a prophecy. It is a family history prophecy. The children, meaning us will want to draw near to our fathers, meaning our ancestors, through family history work.

As I mentioned earlier, we believe that missionary work continues after death so it’s paramount that we help our ancestors with steps, such as baptism, if they were unable to do so in mortality.

We believe in Eternal Families…

Not in death do us part. When Mormons get married, we get married forever and ever and ever and ever. Which is why we are so adamant about doing our family history work and *drum roll* you guessed it! Baptisms for the dead.

Weddings, baptisms for the dead, and some other stuff are all done in Temples. Temples are BEAUTIFUL buildings that you have probably seen in places such as Utah, Lima, Rome, and various other locations around the world.

To learn more about temples click HERE

For more info on temple thing, click HERE

As you can see, Baptisms for the dead, aren’t creepy.

I’ve been participating in this activity since I was 12 years old. It’s always been a very spiritual experience, especially when I’ve been able to be baptized on behalf of my ancestors.

If you still think it’s creepy, click HERE for some light reading.