Baptism for the dead

They say

Baptism for the dead is a Mormon invention. Hebrews 9:27 closes the door.

1 Corinthians 15:29: Paul proves Easter with a practice his church already had. You do not win an argument with a rite you despise. 1 Peter 4:6: the gospel was preached to the dead. Hebrews 9:27 is a court date, not a locked door. Gospel Topics: Baptism for the Dead. FAIR’s overview is the short stack.

• 1 Corinthians 15:29

  KJV · 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?

  NRSVUE · Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

• 1 Peter 4:6

  KJV · For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead.

  NRSVUE · For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead.

• Gospel Topics

  Baptism for the dead

• FAIR

  Baptism for the dead

• Gal1:8 library

  Baptism for the dead

They say

Your own Book of Mormon never baptizes the dead.

Correct. The ordinance is D&C 128. The Book of Mormon’s contribution is the justice of God toward those who never heard (2 Nephi 9; Mosiah 3). We did not invent concern for the dead. We restored the authorized ordinance that matches Paul’s passing remark.

• 2 Nephi 9:25–26

  Where there is no law given there is no punishment… and they are delivered from death and from hell, and they are restored unto that God who gave them breath.

• Gospel Topics

  Baptism for the dead

They say

You force dead Jews into your church.

D&C 128: the font is a similitude of the grave; we without them cannot be made perfect. Policy: we submit our own dead, not celebrities, not Holocaust victims as a stunt. Mistakes get undone. The offer is a gift. The dead choose. If they bring the Holocaust: we have a policy against that.

• Doctrine and Covenants 128:16–18

  The baptismal font was instituted as a similitude of the grave… For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect.

• Gospel Topics

  Baptism for the dead

• Preach My Gospel

  Lesson 2 — Plan of Salvation

They say

Paul was mocking a pagan rite.

Paul uses it as evidence that the dead rise. You do not prove Easter with a practice you despise. Nibley tracked vicarious rites in the ancient world. Catholics already pray for the dead. They will not let Paul mean what he said.

• FAIR

  Baptism for the dead

• Hugh Nibley

  Baptism for the Dead in Ancient Times