nutshell
Well-Known Member
Considering the upcoming removal of Limbo from Roman Catholic teachings, I would like to put forth the LDS teaching of what happens to those who died before Christ came and those who die without baptism.
The LDS Church believes when we die we either go to Paradise or Spirit Prison. Among those in Spirit Prison are ones who did not have a fair opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and choose to accept the Savior. They will be taught the Gospel and be able to make their own decision. Christ, himself, started this process after his crucifiction: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison" (1 Peter 3:19). Peter speaks of the fairness of this plan in 1 Peter 4:6: "For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
What happens once these spirits accept Christ? The next step is baptism, but how does a spirit, lacking a physical body, get immersed in water? Followers of Christ on Earth may act as proxy and be baptised for the dead. The dead, as spirits, then have the choice to accept the baptism or not. Paul speaks of this to the Corintians, showing this practice existed in the ancient Church as well: "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?" (1 Corinthians 15:29). Paul was speaking of the resurrection in this chapter, but it is clear to see that baptism for the dead was performed for those who had already died, but would be resurrected.
Baptism for the Dead is an often misunderstood teaching of the LDS Church. Considering the current discussion of Limbo among Roman Catholics, I thought it was appropriate to discuss the LDS doctrine regarding a similar issue. I hope I have been able to help others understand better the LDS teaching of Baptism for the Dead.
The LDS Church believes when we die we either go to Paradise or Spirit Prison. Among those in Spirit Prison are ones who did not have a fair opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and choose to accept the Savior. They will be taught the Gospel and be able to make their own decision. Christ, himself, started this process after his crucifiction: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison" (1 Peter 3:19). Peter speaks of the fairness of this plan in 1 Peter 4:6: "For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
What happens once these spirits accept Christ? The next step is baptism, but how does a spirit, lacking a physical body, get immersed in water? Followers of Christ on Earth may act as proxy and be baptised for the dead. The dead, as spirits, then have the choice to accept the baptism or not. Paul speaks of this to the Corintians, showing this practice existed in the ancient Church as well: "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?" (1 Corinthians 15:29). Paul was speaking of the resurrection in this chapter, but it is clear to see that baptism for the dead was performed for those who had already died, but would be resurrected.
Baptism for the Dead is an often misunderstood teaching of the LDS Church. Considering the current discussion of Limbo among Roman Catholics, I thought it was appropriate to discuss the LDS doctrine regarding a similar issue. I hope I have been able to help others understand better the LDS teaching of Baptism for the Dead.
