“The Prisoners Shall Go Free”
The following is from Chapter 35: Redemption for the Dead,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),401–11:
In January 1836, many years after [the death of his brother Alvin], Joseph Smith received a vision of the celestial kingdom, in which he saw that Alvin, as well as his mother and father, would someday inherit that kingdom. Joseph “marveled how it was that [Alvin] had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins” (D&C 137:6). The voice of the Lord then came to Joseph, declaring:
All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts (D&C 137:7–9).
On August 15, 1840, the Prophet Joseph Smith preached at a funeral in Nauvoo and, for the first time in public, taught the doctrine of salvation for the dead. According to Simon Baker, who was present, the Prophet began by testifying that the “gospel of Jesus Christ brought glad tidings of great joy.” He read most of 1 Corinthians 15 and explained that “the Apostle was talking to a people who understood baptism for the dead, for it was practiced among them.” He then declared that “people could now act for their friends who had departed this life, and that the plan of salvation was calculated to save all who were willing to obey the requirements of the law of God.”4
One month after the funeral address, the Prophet visited his father, who was very ill and near death. The Prophet discussed with his father the doctrine of baptism for the dead, and Father Smith’s thoughts turned to his beloved son Alvin. Father Smith asked that the work be done for Alvin “immediately.” Just minutes before he died, he declared that he saw Alvin. In the latter part of 1840, the Smith family rejoiced as Hyrum received the ordinance of baptism for his brother Alvin.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have the fulness of the gospel and the saving ordinances of the priesthood. Because of temple work for the dead, we can provide these ordinances for the billions of men and women who never received them during their mortal lives.
This lesson is about the work of redeeming the dead. It primarily discusses baptism for the dead.
OVERVIEW:
Reading assignment: Doctrine and Covenants 2; 124:25–55; 127; 128; Joseph Smith—History 1:36–39; Our Heritage,pages 58–60.
- Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed the doctrine of priesthood ordinances for the dead.
- The Lord commanded the Saints to build a temple in Nauvoo.
- We should be enthusiastic and joyful in our efforts to perform baptisms for the dead.
Here is the handout for this week’s lesson: D&C-Church History Lesson 30.
pax vobiscum
Filed under: Gospel Doctrine Tagged: | Baptism for the Dead, Christianity, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Doctrine, History, LDS, Mormon, Nauvoo Temple, Religion
