A Couple of Great Links on Baptism for the Dead

I'm going to be lazy this week.. and simply point you to two articles I've come across about Baptism for the Dead.

The first is by Hugh Nibley and can be found here:

Baptism for the Dead in Ancient Times

The focus of this paper is about evidence for the practice in the original church that Jesus Christ established.

The second is by Jeff Lindsay, a Latter-Day Saint blogger on the subject:

FAQ: Baptism for the Dead

Both are worth a read. My wife and I taught a group of 15-16 year old youth today at church on this subject. These articles were very helpful in preparing.

Enjoy!

Mormonism F.A.Q

1. Are Mormons Christian?
YES! Mormons believe the divinity of Jesus Christ. We believe He is the God of Israel. We believe He really did die for our sins and that without Him there would be no salvation. He is the way, the truth and the light. He was crucified for our sins and He really did rise again on the third day. Jesus is the creator of the heavens and the earth and all things. He is God. We worship Him with all our hearts, minds, might, and strength.

2. Are Mormons Racist?
No. Racism is resoundingly condemned in the church. It is true that there was a time when people of African decent were restricted from the priesthood. To understand this more fully please go to this link: Blacks And the Priesthood

3. Do Mormons practice polygamy?
No. Current Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not practice polygamy. Men are allowed to legally marry only one woman. The church stopped the practice of polygamy over 100 years ago. There are other churches that claim to be break-offs of our church that practice polygamy today. However a true Latter-day Saint would be excommunicated for practicing polygamy. If a married man is widowed by the death of his wife, and he can marry again in the temple. Technically this would have him sealed to two women at once, one living and deceased. That would be the only situation in the church where a man is technically married to two women at once. It is not clear how this situation will be ironed out in the next life.

4. Do Mormons think they can work their way to heaven?
Absolutely not! Mormons believe that without the grace of Jesus Christ everything we do would not only fall short, but it wouldn't even come close to getting us into heaven. We do believe that our works are necessary to show our faith in Jesus Christ. But our works in themselves will never be enough. Many of our works will condemn us. But through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and sincere repentance we can be made clean through His merits and blood. The Book of Mormon teaches that we can't even breathe without the grace or enabling power of Jesus Christ.

5. Do Mormons believe they can become Gods?
Mormons believe they can become like God through the merits, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ, and through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. We believe that one of the reasons we were sent to earth in the first place was to be given an opportunity to progress and become more like our Father in heaven. Just like we send our children off to college to gain an education and become more like us, God has sent His children here to earth to gain an education. Some will graduate with honors and some will not. God will be the judge. Perhaps some day, long after this life, some will become like our Heavenly Father. Not to replace Him, but to live the life He lives, in a family situation. We could never be exactly like God in that He has never sinned. However the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for our sins to be forgiven, and for us to change. We can change even to the point that we are like our Father in Heaven. We can become "Joint-heirs" with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17)

6. Do Mormons believe that Adam was God?
The so-called "Adam-God Theory" is false doctrine. It is not the doctrine of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church teaches that the Godhead consists of God the Father (the Father of our Spirits), Jesus Christ (The Son, Creator, and Redeemer), And the Holy Ghost (the Testator, Revelator, and Sanctifier). There are some references by second and third party sources that Brigham Young taught the "Adam-God Theory". It is not clear in what context or exactly what brother Brigham was talking about. For any idea to become doctrine of the church it must be given by revelation from God to His prophet, ratified by the 12 apostles and sustained by the members of the church. This idea was not. Prophets who have succeeded Brigham Young have clarified that the idea that Adam was God is false doctrine and not the belief of the church.

7. What is the role of women in the Church?
Women are honored and revered as equals to men in the church. Women do not hold the priesthood. They do not need to hold it. For a man to be exalted, he must hold and honor the priesthood. A man also cannot be exalted in the highest kingdom of heaven without being sealed to a woman for time and all eternity. Women are the final and most wonderful creation of God. Mormons look at the role of women differently than most of our culture today. While the world denigrates the idea of a woman nurturing and and raising children as almost slavery, we believe that when a women is able to act in this capacity, she is expressing her God-given abilities of both creativity and love. There is nothing more noble and beautiful than a loving mother. (See the proclamation on the family)

8. Do Mormons hate gay people?
No! Mormons do not hate anyone. Mormons are taught to love everyone as a beloved son or daughter of God no matter what their situation in mortality is. Mormons believe that any sexual act outside the legal bounds of marriage between one man and one woman is a sin. This is true regardless of sexual orientation. This means, adultery, fornication, and same gender sexual relationships are all sins. There are worthy members of the church who experience same-gender attraction but choose to turn away from those temptations and live the standards given by the Lord himself. By refraining from same-gender relationships and any sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and a woman, these members can worship in the Temple and have the full blessings of the Gospel. The same is true for any member struggling with any sexual temptation. Although the church does not endorse political parties or specific politicians, it does reserve the right to speak up on matters of morality. That is why it was involved with the proposition 8 question in California. We believe that marriage should be defined between one man and one woman.

9. Do Mormons believe that all non-Mormons will go to Hell?
No! Mormons believe that in the end, almost everyone who has ever lived on the earth will obtain a kingdom of glory and beauty. There will only be a few people, called the "Sons of Perdition" who along with Satan and his demons will not obtain a kingdom of glory. These are people who have committed the unpardonable sin spoken of by Jesus Christ in the New Testament. (Matt 12:31) However if one desires to obtain the Kingdom of God, or Celestial Kingdom, they must have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure faithfully to the end of their lives.

10. Do Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?
Mormons believe that God is the Father of ALL creation. God is the father of all spirits. However, each spirit has his or her own free will. They can choose good or evil. All spirits are brothers and sisters and God is the Father of all of them. Jesus Christ is the first born and the only begotten of the Father in the flesh. He has never chosen evil and never will. He has used His free agency to do good and is a member of the Godhead. As the bible teaches, Satan was also one of Gods spirit children and was an angel who rebelled against God and is fighting against Him today. Now, Satan is a fallen angel. (see Isa. 14:12)

11. Are the Ordinances in the Temple just ripped off from Masonry?
No! What we do in the temple is too sacred to talk about in this post. Mormonism is a restoration of the original church of Jesus Christ. Although there was a great apostasy it does not mean that all things that Jesus taught were wiped off the face of the earth. It just means that there are derivatives and apostate forms of the gospel and it's ordinances found all over the earth. Some elements of the fullness of what Jesus taught can be found in Protestant faiths, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Masonry, Native American religions, Shintoism, Hinduism, and even Yoga to name a few. Joseph Smith restored the fullness of the Gospel in it's purity. That is what is found in the temple.

12. Does DNA prove the Book of Mormon false?
No! DNA does not prove the Book of Mormon false. There are many evidences for the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. click here to read more: DNA And The Book Of Mormon

Of all the questions about Mormonism, the most important question of all is this:

Is Mormonism true? Was Joseph Smith really a true prophet of God? Is the Book of Mormon God's word? Is Jesus really the Christ?

You can find out if you will humbly ask God in prayer, with the real intent to know the answer. I testify that it is true. It is the church of Jesus Christ.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Thomas S. Monson: Prophet, Seer, and Revelator

Today I would simply like to share with you my witness that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. It's true that most of my life President Monson has been in the first presidency of the church.

I have heard him give hundreds of sermons and talks sharing his special apostolic witness that Jesus is the Christ. He has shared story after story that have invoked the Spirit of the Lord into my life.

Most of his Stories have to do with expirences he has had while serving others. He is quick to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

I knew that Thomas S. Monson was a prophet of God before he was called to be the president of the church.

However, during the General Conference held just after President Monson was called, I could see a transformation in President Monson. The mantle had surely been passed on to him. To me, it looked like he had been through some experience that had illuminated him even more.

This wasn't an experience that made me know he was a prophet, I already knew that. But instead it was a conformation of what I already knew.

The very same keys that our Savior Jesus Christ gave to Peter are on the earth today. They are in the capable hands of the Prophet Thomas S. Monson.

I testify that God speaks through president Monson. I know that he is an instrument in the hands of the Lord to guide and move the work of the Lord forward.

May the Lord bless President Monson. May He bless you with your own witness that Thomas S. Monson is the Lords oracal on the earth today.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

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Obedience to the Ordinances of the Gospel PART 4

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

What is it?

Our Heavenly Father made a special covenant with Abraham. It can be found in Gen. 17:4–5;Gen. 48:19. A more detailed account can be found the Book of Abraham that was translated by the prophet Joseph Smith. (Abr. 2:10-11)

This covenant was between Abraham and God. A covenant is a two way contract. Both parties are expected to fulfill promises towards each other. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a covenant is entered into through the ordinances of the gospel.

The bible dictionary says:

Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation). Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase. Finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity (D&C 132: 29-50; Abr. 2: 6-11). Included in the divine promises to Abraham were the assurances that¹Christ would come through his lineage, and that² Abraham’s posterity would receive certain lands as an eternal inheritance (Gen. 17; Gen. 22: 15-18; Gal. 3; Abr. 2). These promises taken together are called the Abrahamic covenant. It was renewed with Isaac (Gen. 26: 1-4, 24) and again with Jacob (Gen. 28; Gen. 35: 9-13; Gen. 48: 3-4).

The portions of the covenant that pertain to personal salvation and eternal increase are renewed with each individual who receives the ordinance of celestial marriage (see D&C 132: 29-33). Those of non-Israelite lineage, commonly known as gentiles, are adopted into the house of Israel, and become heirs of the covenant and the seed of Abraham, through the ordinances of the gospel (Gal. 3: 26-29).

Being an heir to the Abrahamic covenant does not make one a “chosen person” per se, but does signify that such are chosen to responsibly carry the gospel to all the peoples of the earth.Abraham’s seed have carried out the missionary activity in all the nations since Abraham’s day. (Matt. 3: 9; Abr. 2: 9-11).

To fulfill the covenant God made with Abraham - having particular reference to the fact that the literal seed of his body would be entitled to all of the blessings of the gospel (Abr. 2: 10-11) - a number of specific and particular things must take place in the last days. The gospel must be restored, the priesthood must be conferred again upon man, the keys of the sealing power must be given again to mortals, Israel must be gathered, and the Holy Ghost must be poured out upon the gentiles. All this has already taken place or is in process of fulfillment.

Pre-dates Abraham

The Abrahamic covenant actually is just another name given to the original covenant given to Father Adam. It it also called, "The New And Everlasting Covenant." In short, this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes all the teachings, principles, and ordinances associated with the Gospel.

This covenant was given to father Adam and passed down.

In each dispensation, the Lord has used prophets or in one case Himself to renew and restore the new and everlasting covenant. The term "New Testament" refers to the "New Covenant." Or better said, "New and everlasting Covenant."

What are the blessings associated with it?

The main blessings connected to the Abrahamic Covenant are:

1. Abraham's seed would continue in the earth so that he would be the father of many nations.

2. His seed would have access to all of the ordinances of the Gospel like Abraham had.

3. Abraham's seed would eventually become as numerable as the stars.

4. The Holy Messiah, Jesus Christ would be a descendant of Abraham.

5. The Gospel of Jesus Christ would be preached by his seed to all the world.

6. Because of what Jesus would do, and because of the preaching of the Gospel, the whole world would be blessed by Abraham's seed.

The Abrahamic covenant in the New Testament

Apparently, by the time of John the Baptist there was a false doctrine circulating that twisted the original meaning of the covenant. Some believed that being a descendant of Abraham made a person better than others who were not. There also may have been those who believed that since they descended from Abraham they were pretty much guaranteed salvation without the need to repent. Lastly, the people of that time were aware that baptism was associated with the covenant of Abraham. Some may have twisted the doctrine and believed that if they were descended from Abraham, they did not need to be baptised.

John the Baptist refuted these ideas when he said:

Luke 3:8

Bring forth therefore ^afruits ^bworthy of ^crepentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, ^dWe have^eAbraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

John is making it clear that:

1. To be counted among Abraham's seed you must repent. (simply being born into it won't do)

2. You must be baptized. ( You have to enter into the covenant yourself through baptism)

3. God can raise up seed to Abraham from any source He wants. Literal seed is not required..

Jesus said that in order to be Abraham's seed you must do the works of Abraham:

John 8:39

39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were ^aAbraham’s^bchildren, ye would do the ^cworks of Abraham.

Paul taught that Abraham's blessings were actually the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The law was given for transgression:

16 Now to ^aAbraham and his seed were the ^bpromises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was ^afour hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18 For if the ^ainheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

In other words, inheritance of the Abrahamic covenant actually comes through obedience to the ordinances of the gospel.

The covenant shows the importance of Ordinances

The Abrahamic covenant contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The ordinance of Baptism is the ordinance of Salvation. But what of Exaltation?

It's clear that the promises of the Abrahamic covenant include a multitude of children both in this life and the next. This requires eternal marriage. The ordinances in the temple include this blessing. They are simply the ordinances of exaltation.

Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostle Paul all pointed to the Abrahamic covenant to show the importance of both the first principles and ordinances of salvation, and the ordinances of exaltation which includes eternal marriage. Obedience to the ordinances of the Gospel enters a person into a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. They allow one to be an heir to the promises given to Abraham. They give you access to the atoning sacrifice and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you would like to become an heir of the promises given to Abraham, please talk to missionaries today.

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Obedience to the Ordinances of the Gospel PART 3

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SALVATION AND EXALTATION:
A Latter-day Saint believes that Jesus' Grace will redeem everyone from the fall of Adam and Eve.

This means that every man woman and child on the earth will one day be ressurected. Also everyone will receive a kingdom of glory, except for those who activily fight against the Lord by denying the Holy Ghost. (The unpardonable sin spoken of in the New Testament. Matt 12:31)

The Kingdoms of Glory are...

The Telestial Kingdom (lowest)
The Terrestiral Kingdom (middle)
The Celestial Kingdom (Highest)

(See 1 Corinthians 15:40)

This almost, universal salvation comes through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The salvation mostly talked about in the Bible and the Book of Mormon concerns those who will inherit the Celestial Kingdom or the Kingdom of God.

When a person is baptized and given the gift of the Holy Ghost, they enter the Kingdom of God on earth and are qualified through the grace of Jesus for the Celestial Kingdom. This person could be considered "Saved" in the sense talked about in the Holy Scriptures.

However, this person has only entered the kingdom at this point. They have only inherited the lowest degree of the Celestial Kingdom.

Latter-day Saints also believe that one can fall from this state of grace if they do not endure in faith until the end of their mortal lives. (Galatians 5:4, Matt 24:13, Mark 13:13, James 5:11, 2 Nephi 31: 16)

Now that they are in the Kingdom, there is more to do. There are three degrees of glory within the Celestial Kingdom. (D&C 131:1) The highest degree, is where God dwells.

When a person obtains this glory, it is also through Jesus' grace, and obedience to the higher ordinances performed and entered into in the Holy Temple. This person is qualified for Exaltation, if they endure faithfully to the end.

Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, are required to enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) They can be considered the ordinances of salvation. The ordianances after this are important for our growth and progression within the kingdom of God, these can be considered the ordinances of Exaltation.

God wants to save us. But He also wants to change us. He wants us to become more than we are. He wants us to be fit for His kingdom. He wants us to eventually become perfect (Matt 5:48) This is only possible through the merits and grace of Jesus Christ. (2 Nephi 2:8) Without the Savior, none of this would be possible.

But because of Jesus, we can change. We can become more. When you enter in at the gate through baptism, you then receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost as your guide within the kingdom. He sanctifies us (Rom 15:16). The Holy Ghost helps you on your journey from being saved, to changing and becoming Exalted. This can only happen if we submit our will to the will of God. (Mosiah 3:19) Then it is through His power that we are changed and become perfect.

If you would like to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and the the Higher ordinances available in the temple through the new and everlasting covanent, I invite you to come and be baptized by an authorized representative of Jesus Christ.


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