In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of Baptism for the Dead, he said, “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). Later, the apostle Peter also testified of the necessity of the ordinance for the dead, he said, “For 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” (1 Peter 4:6).

The first essential ordinance necessary to enter into the kingdom of God is baptism. The Lord Jesus Christ is our perfect example of this principle of the gospel. Though he was sinless, he was baptized by immersion by John the Baptist who holds the authority of God.

Many of our ancestors have died without the knowledge and blessings of the gospel. Through the inspiration of God, Joseph Smith, the first modern-day prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the Mormon Church by others), said, “And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect” (Doctrine and Covenants 128: 15).

We are all children of God and therefore all are entitled to the same blessings given to those who are obedient and who are willing to follow His commandments. “Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets. These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:32–35).

Mormons don’t discuss details of temple worship and other sacred ordinances outside the temple, even with other members who have attended the temple, because they are sacred and should only be discussed in sacred places.

Latter-day Saints hope all will sanctify themselves in order to be worthy to enter into God’s house and partake of the higher ordinances that can lead us towards eternal life. “And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” (3 Nephi 27:19–22).

God loves us so much. He is our Father in Heaven. Temple ordinances are essential to bringing us incomparable blessings in our lives. Latter-day Saints believe that baptism is a temporal ordinance. This means that it must be done on the earth by one who has a body. Those who are dead cannot meet either of these restrictions. This is why baptisms for the dead are performed by proxy: by someone who has a body in behalf of someone who does not have a body. Latter-day Saints also believe in free will, however. This means that no one will be forced to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ if he does not with to. When a proxy baptism is performed, that simply means a deceased person then has the choice whether or not to accept the ordinance, whereas before they were unable to participate at all.

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Latter-day Saint people

Talk with a Mormon missionary

Inside Mormon Temples

by Richard

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He loves His children. He wants them to be happy, so He prepared a plan for them. Central to that plan is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Atonement is the price the Savior paid as a remission for the sins of mankind—for all men from Adam to the last person who will live on the earth. Through the atonement, all families of the earth will be blessed with the opportunity to go back to the presence of God.

Since the beginning, God has revealed His plan through prophets. Prophets are men called by God who are given the authority to receive revelations and to preach the gospel. Amos declared that the Lord always reveals His secrets unto His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). The first prophet was Adam. God spoke and revealed to him the Plan of Salvation, and gave him the promise of the Messiah. Adam then taught his children the gospel of Jesus Christ. While many believed, some of his sons and daughters rejected his teachings.

When Adam died, God showed great love for His posterity by calling other prophets. These prophets warned the people about their sins and exhorted them to repent and return to God. When people hardened their hearts and rejected God’s prophets, they fell away from the truth. This is called apostasy. Whenever there is an apostasy, God withdraws His prophet from the people and calls another to preach the gospel anew. Among those who were called to preach repentance to the people were Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and many others. These prophets prophesied of the coming of Jesus Christ. However, because many did not believe them, the people again fell into apostasy.

The Earthly Ministry of Jesus Christ

When the time was right, God sent His Only Begotten Son to accomplish His divine mission to atone for the sins of the world. For God loved the world so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son, that those who believe in Him might be saved (See John 3:16).

When Jesus Christ was upon the earth, He preached the gospel, ordained His apostles, established His church, and fulfilled prophecy. Remarkably, many people did not believe His teachings. Instead, they reviled, scourged, and crucified Him. However, through His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and His death upon the cross, the Savior made an infinite atoning sacrifice, promising eternal life to those who repent and follow His commandments.

After the Lord’s resurrection, the apostles, having received the keys of the priesthood, continued to lead the church through revelation. However, not many years after, those wicked people who killed Jesus Christ killed the apostles one by one until no one was left to lead the Church. Because of the death of the apostles, the authority which they once held was also gone.

The Great Apostasy

With all the apostles killed except John the Beloved who was banished because of His testimony of Jesus Christ, the church was left without authorized leadership. Without authority, revelation stopped and saving ordinances could not be performed. Eventually, the gospel taught by the Savior and His apostles was altered by unauthorized people and many plain and precious truths were lost. Without a prophet to lead them, the people were left in a state of chaos and spiritual darkness. This period of time was known in history as the Dark Ages or the Great Apostasy.

The Great Apostasy was universal and lasted for more than 1,700 years. Its rapid development following the death of the apostles had been foreseen and predicted by ancient prophets. Isaiah spoke of a gross darkness which would cover the earth and the people (Isaiah 60:2). Paul, speaking to early Christian converts, warned of grievous wolves or false teachers who would speak perverse things and draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:29–30). The Savior also warned of false prophets and false Christs who would deceive many (Matthew 24:4–12). But despite this, God, in His great love for the people, promised to restore the gospel and rebuild His church through another prophet who had been ordained from the foundation of the world.

Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

After several centuries of darkness, Heavenly Father once again stretched forth His hands to reach out to His children. He called another prophet, a 14-year old boy, through whom the gospel of Jesus Christ and the priesthood authority was restored.

When Joseph Smith was just a young boy, he became concerned about the welfare of his soul and desired to know which church to join. He attended different congregations to find answers to his questions, but the more he did, the more confused he got. One day as he was studying the scriptures, he came across the writings of James, an apostle of Jesus Christ, which read, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). After much reflection, young Joseph realized that he could actually know the truth for himself by asking God in prayer.

One morning, he went to a nearby grove and poured out his heart to God, desiring to know the truth. In answer to his prayer, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and told him that there was no true church on the earth at that time. The Savior told Joseph Smith that he was chosen as a prophet to restore the true church He had established during His mortal ministry.

To accomplish this mission, the Lord sent heavenly messengers to Joseph Smith to restore all the keys of the priesthood necessary to administer the ordinances of the gospel. The church was officially organized on April 6^th, 1830, as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often nicknamed the Mormon Church. Today, the Church is being led by a living prophet named Thomas S. Monson who receives continuing revelation from God.

Fourteen year old Joseph Smith wondered what church he should join. In the spring of 1820 during a religious revival in the community of Palmyra, New York, Joseph was confused about conflicting messages from different religious leaders. He went into the woods, knelt in prayer and asked God which of the churches he should align himself with. Miraculously, God the Father appeared to Joseph along with his son, Jesus Christ, and told Joseph that he should join none of the churches, for the true church of Christ had been lost from the earth. Joseph was chosen by God to restore the true church to the world.

Throughout the course of the next ten years, Joseph gradually restored the fullness of the gospel to the earth, starting with the translation of the Book of Mormon, a record of Jesus Christ’s visit to the American continent after his resurrection. The record was written on golden plates and hidden in a hillside, which God directed Joseph to find. Joseph also restored the organization of Jesus Christ‘s original church, just as Christ himself established it in Jerusalem with a prophet at the head of the church and a quorum of twelve apostles. Along with that, God restored through Joseph the true priesthood power that had been lost after Christ’s death. Joseph and his followers built temples, beautiful structures dedicated to performing saving ordinances through God’s true priesthood power.

The early Latter-day Saints experienced much persecution in their settlements in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. Shortly after the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Saints moved westward under the direction of their new prophet, Brigham Young. After great trials in crossing the plains in handcart companies, the Saints settled in the Salt Lake Valley. Today, Salt Lake City, Utah remains the headquarters of the church, but it now spans the world. The expansive missionary program run by the church has spread the complete gospel of Jesus Christ to people on every continent seeking for truth and light.

Mormon genealogy or Mormon family history endeavors are extremely important to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Mormons believe that everyone must have the opportunity to hear and to choose to accept or reject the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Those who have not had this opportunity, or for some reason have turned away the opportunity, during their sojourn on earth will have it in the world to come.

When people die, their spirits separate from their mortal bodies and go to a place called the “Spirit World” to await resurrection and judgment, then assignment to a kingdom of glory in heaven.  The spirit world is divided into two areas — paradise, where the righteous reside, and spirit prison, where the wicked reside.  In the spirit world, the Lord “levels the playing field,” so to speak, to give spirits the chance to repent and to lay claim on the atonement of Jesus Christ.  Spirits in the spirit world have the same personalities that they did on earth, and they are able to make choices and exercise “free agency” as they did on earth.  (Read a prophet’s vision of the spirit world.)

Some of these spirits “died without law,” so they can’t be held accountable for all their behavior during mortality.  You can’t break a law unless you understand it.  God is just.  He won’t punish people who sin in ignorance.  Others were blinded by the craftiness of men, hampered by their cultural or family influences, or deliberately rejected the gospel of Christ when presented to them.  These latter suffer for their own sins in the spirit world, but then may inherit a kingdom of glory.  This suffering might be called “endless torment,” but through modern revelation, we learn that “endless torment” doesn’t last forever:

 Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment.   Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory.

Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles.   I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest.   For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore—

Eternal punishment is God’s punishment.

Endless punishment is God’s punishment (Doctrine and Covenants 19:6-13).

This is a more loving outlook than held in any other Christian faith!  This doctrine gives Mormons a perfect brightness of hope for their ancestors who have not received the gospel.   Once a spirit accepts the gospel of Jesus Christ and repents, he must do what his earthly counterparts do — be baptized by immersion for the remission of sins and then receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.  When this process is complete, spirits who have dwelt in spirit prison may go to spirit paradise to await resurrection.  However, baptism is an earthly ordinance and it takes a body to perform.  This is why Mormons perform baptisms for the dead.

Baptism for the dead performed in Mormon temples, followed by the conferring of the gift of the Holy Ghost, does not automatically make a deceased person a member of the LDS Church.  The person has free choice whether to accept or reject the ordinances, and his or her name is not placed on the records of the Church.  Mormons are not baptized for Holocaust victims or celebrities.  They are counseled to find their direct ancestors and to get permission from family members to baptize relatives recently deceased.

Mormon Genealogy Research and Resources

The largest family history library in the world is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, adjacent to Temple Square, volunteers who are family history experts stand ready to help anyone of any faith or nationality with family history research.  Smaller Mormon family history libraries can be found around the world and are also open to the public with Mormon genealogy specialists there to help.  (To find a Mormon family history center near you, click here.)

Mormon genealogy work helps people all over the world, most of whom have no interest in the LDS Church.  The Mormon family history website, FamilySearch.org, is a repository for millions of records from all over the world where one can find ancestors and construct family trees, and also collaborate with other researchers in finding and correcting information.

Mormon family history volunteers have spent countless hours putting records into digital format.  Mormon genealogy volunteers digitized the records of Ellis Island in New York, the entry point for millions of immigrants into the United States.  Millions of records have been digitized in the LDS Church’s “indexing program,” a wonderful aid to the world’s genealogists.  Anyone may participate in the indexing program, and some say it gives the same sort of satisfaction as playing a computer game.  To participate in genealogical indexing, go to Indexing.FamilySearch.org.

Mormon genealogy research has provided some surprising gifts for famous people.  Years ago, the LDS Church gave a gift to TV talk show host Johnny Carson, presenting him with a book of his compiled family history.  The LDS Church has also done this for U.S. Presidents, the most recent being President Barak Obama.

Additional Resources

The Meaning of Life

Basic Mormon Beliefs — Official LDS Church Website

God’s Plan of Happiness

Temple Ordinances

Read the Book of Mormon

More About Mormonism

Jesus Christ in Mormonism

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon Church), the word “priesthood” has a different meaning than in other Christian churches. Latter-day Saints define “priesthood” as the power of God, and the authority to act in His name. Priesthood, then, has always existed and will always exist. From time to time, however, it has been missing from the earth and from among men. The Mormon Church has a “lay clergy.” That is, no one is trained or schooled to lead congregations or groups of congregations, or even the entire church. Men, women, youth, and children are “called” to various positions in local congregations or to larger responsibilities. Most “callings” are temporary. Only the prophet, the twelve apostles, and some seventies are called to serve for the remainder of their lives, and these receive a modest stipend. All other positions are unpaid, and members fill their responsibilities, which can be substantial, while continuing in their paid vocations, and with their family and community responsibilities still in process. All worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the age of twelve may hold some office in the priesthood. Power comes with holding the priesthood, and miracles are performed through this power. Some friends of other faiths argue that priesthood ended with Jesus Christ, that He was the final priesthood-holder, but the apostles spoke of the priesthood when referring to the general membership of the Church of Christ. (See 1 Pet. 2:5; 1Peter 2:9.)

Two Priesthoods

There are two priesthoods, and several offices within those two priesthoods. The Aaronic priesthood is the lesser, or preparatory priesthood, concerned with the foundational principles of the gospel – faith, repentance, baptism, and sacrifice. When Moses went up into the mount to converse with the Lord, he was absent from the tribes of Israel for a long period of time. The Lord meant for the children of Israel to “enter into His rest.” This means that God wanted them not only to receive the higher priesthood, but to be sealed up to eternal life in His presence. But the children of Israel refused. They wanted Moses to be their intermediary. The Lord took the higher priesthood, and eventually Moses, away from them, and left them with the lesser priesthood to prepare them to progress and prepare for greater responsibility and thus greater blessings. All of their prophets, however, held the higher priesthood. At age 12, a worthy young man in the LDS Church may receive the office of Deacon in the Aaronic priesthood. The duties of a deacon include watching over the Church and its members. They are also to “warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:59). Deacons can also pass the sacrament to the congregation, collect fast offerings, assist the bishopric, serve as messengers, be baptized and confirmed for the dead in the temple, speak in meetings, and care for the meetinghouse and grounds.   Deacons meet in a “quorum” every Sunday, and may serve as officers in their quorum, deliver spiritual messages, etc.

At age 14, worthy young men may be ordained as “Teachers” in the Aaronic priesthood. The duties of teachers are preparing the sacrament, watching over and strengthening the Church as well as seeing that there is “neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking (Doctrine and Covenants 20:53-55).  Teachers may also serve as home teachers, reverently serve as ushers in ward meetings and stake conference, assist the bishopric, and participate in seminary, where available.

At the age of 16, worthy young men can be ordained as “Priests” in the Aaronic priesthood. Priests can bless the sacrament and they can baptize. Other duties include the responsibility to “preach, teach, expound, exhort, … and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties” (Doctrine and Covenants 47 20:46-47).  Priests do not have the authority to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost to a newly baptized person.

The office of bishop in the LDS faith is actually an Aaronic priesthood calling, and a direct descendent of Aaron may claim the office. A bishop, however, must also hold the Melchizedek priesthood. Men who serve in “bishoprics” (a bishop and his two counselors) are ordained as High Priests.  Every higher office is able to officiate in the duties of lower offices. A bishop is the leader of a congregation, similar to a rabbi or a pastor. This calling requires a huge amount of time and effort, and prayerful leadership.

Once a worthy young man is over 18, he begins to prepare to receive the higher priesthood. The formal name of this priesthood is “The Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God.” To keep from using the name of the Lord casually, this priesthood is called the “Melchizedek priesthood,” after Melchizedek, King of Salem, to whom Abraham paid tithes. The higher priesthood holds all the keys of the kingdom of God on earth. A man who holds the Melchizedek priesthood may give priesthood blessings by the laying on of hands. Such blessings can heal the sick or troubled, can convey messages from God to the person receiving the blessing, and prophesy for the personal benefit of the person being blessed. A Melchizedek priesthood holder can bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon a person who has just been baptized, and give a name and a blessing to a newborn infant. “Stewardship” is a very important concept in the LDS Church. A person has stewardship over his own realm of personal responsibility. Thus, a bishop has stewardship over his congregation (called a “ward”) and may receive revelation to help him with that stewardship. A father and mother have stewardship over their family, and may exercise their God-given power over that stewardship. Thus, a priesthood holder should only exercise his priesthood within the realm of his stewardship. A man who holds the Melchizedek priesthood is called an “Elder.” Even the prophet/president of the Church and the apostles are called Elders. Mormon missionaries hold the Melchizedek priesthood and are also called Elders. Within the Melchizedek priesthood there are High Priests, Seventies, Apostles, and Patriarchs. One patriarch is called for each “stake,” a geographical group of congregations. Once in a lifetime, each member is able to receive a prophetic “patriarchal blessing” as a guide for his or her life by the laying on of hands. Patriarchs perform this function.

Blacks and the Mormon Priesthood

In the very early days of the LDS Church, Blacks were given the priesthood. First prophet Joseph Smith was a very committed advocate of equality for Blacks, and this brought upon him a great deal of persecution. When the Mormons were driven from Missouri in 1839 in the midst of winter, one of the main reasons was that Missourians wanted a slave state, and Joseph Smith had even proposed purchasing the freedom of Black slaves and bringing them to the state. For some reason, there was put into effect a ban on Blacks receiving the priesthood after the death of Joseph Smith. Such actions in the Church come about after direct revelation, but a thorough searching of the early records of the Church has failed to discover a reason for the ban. In the mid-1900’s, as racial equality became more and more feasible in the U.S., members and leaders of the Church began to more fervently pray for the priesthood to be extended to people of all races. Finally, during the summer of 1978, the revelation was received, to the joy of the Latter-day Saints. The Church is growing very fast in Africa in recent years.

Women and the Mormon Priesthood

Some women outside and within the Mormon Church feel that women are discriminated against, because they do not “hold” or administer in the priesthood. However, women share the priesthood with their husbands, and may call on that power in dealing with their stewardships. They also administer priesthood ordinances in the holy temples of the Church. They hold many positions of responsibility within the Church and may be extremely busy with family, work, community, and church responsibilities. Married women often help their husbands with their callings, too. Women are also “general authorities” in the Church, leading the Primary (organization for young children), Young Women, and Relief Society organizations. The Relief Society is the largest and oldest women’s organization in the world, at over 5 million members. The Lord’s house is a house of order. With its system of stewardships, priesthood offices, and auxiliary organizations, plus a system (home teaching and visiting teaching) for ministering personally to each and every member, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can assure that everyone has a seat at the table of Christ, that members can receive comfort, assurance, and healing when needed. (Note that Mormons also believe in modern medicine, and the Lord often urges them to seek medical help in priesthood blessings, while providing miraculous relief, guidance, and events along the way.)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds Mormon Temples by way of commandment from God. These beautiful structures, now all over the world, are patterned after ancient temples. In them, worthy members of the Mormon Church gather to ponder, pray, seek personal revelation from God for their lives, worship and perform sacred ordinances. Temples are filled with light – literal light as well as the light of God’s teachings. Mormon temples are places of great peace.

Before each temple is dedicated, the structures are open to the public for interior tours. Many visitors feel the wonderful spirit of the temple as they walk through each special room. In addition to the ordinance rooms, which are described below, temples also house offices, laundry facilities, waiting rooms, dressing rooms (including a special dressing room for brides) and often a cafeteria.

Baptistry

Inside Mormon temples are baptistries. Like many other Christian denominations, Mormons participate in the ordinance of baptism, usually in a font inside one of their many church meetinghouses. Mormons are baptized at or after the age of eight, the age at which people should know fully the difference between right and wrong and become accountable for their sins. Baptism is the ordinance that begins one’s spiritual progression in the gospel of the Lord. When adults investigate and decide to join the Mormon Church, it is baptism which begins their church membership.

There are many people who have lived and died without learning the truth of Jesus Christ, His church and His commandments. Because God does not hold His children accountable for sins unless they have knowledge of this truth, many people have the opportunity to learn of Jesus Christ in the spirit world where we go after death to await the resurrection and judgment. Because baptism requires a physical body, something those in the spirit world are temporarily without, Mormons participate in baptisms for the dead, allowing the ancestors they are baptized on behalf of to accept or reject the vicarious ordinance.

Baptisms for the dead are only conducted inside temples. The baptismal fonts where these baptisms – which involve full immersion in water – are performed rest upon the backs of twelve statues of oxen. Like those in Solomon’s ancient temple, the oxen represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Near the font are dressing rooms and also confirmation rooms where individuals, again on behalf of their ancestors, are confirmed, or blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost by those with priesthood authority laying their hands on the person’s head and saying a short prayer.

Endowment Rooms

Inside Mormon temples are endowment rooms. Endowment means “gift” and the endowment ceremony, which Church members go through when they feel they are spiritually prepared for it (usually in young adulthood), is a gift from God. The first time a Mormon goes through the ceremony, they do it for themselves. All subsequent times, they do it on behalf of a deceased person, much like baptism for the dead. Endowment ceremonies are opportunities for Mormons to be taught about the Plan of Salvation and to make covenants, or promises to God that they are promised blessings for fulfilling. The endowment room is a beautiful auditorium. Each temple usually has more than one. The presentation takes about 90 minutes. It begins with a film screening with instruction on the creation of the world and the fall of Adam and follows with further instruction about God’s commandments and his promised blessings. All of this is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The endowment ceremony is always repeated with the same words.

Participating in the endowment ceremony gives individuals added protection from and power over evil in the world. After a church Member has been endowed, he or she wears a sacred garment underneath their clothing for the rest of their lives, symbolic of this protective power.

Celestial Room

Inside Mormon temples are celestial rooms. The celestial room is where the endowment ceremony ends. Here, in the most beautiful room in the temple, people may sit quietly, meditate and pray as long as they like. The celestial room, representative of God’s highest kingdom of heaven, is breathtakingly light, white and peaceful.

Sealing Rooms

Inside Mormon temples are sealing rooms. Marriages are performing in sealing rooms, because the special marriage ceremony performed in the temple “seals” couples together for “time” during mortal life on Earth and “all eternity” after death. Children born to couples who have been sealed together are part of that sealed covenant, making the entire family an eternal family.

Each temple has several sealing rooms large enough to accommodate various numbers of guests. All guests who attend sealings must be worthy to enter the temple. Sealing rooms have an altar in the center of the room where the bride and groom kneel opposite each other to say their vows. On opposite walls in the rooms are large mirrors, reflecting the bride and groom an infinite number of times, symbolizing the infinite togetherness they will enjoy throughout eternity.

Like other temple ordinances, sealing ceremonies can also be performed vicariously for the dead. Sealing ceremonies are also performed for couples who joined the church after marriage or who were married outside of the temple for various reasons.

The second of California’s temples, the Oakland California Mormon Temple was announced on May 26, 1962. That same day, the 18.3-acre site for the temple was dedicated by David O. McKay, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The church purchased the land for the temple in 1942 after 14 years of negotiations. The location offers a gorgeous view of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Before the temple itself was dedicated, an open house was held during the month of October 1964, allowing members of the public to tour the interior of the Mormon temple, which housed four ordinance rooms and seven rooms designed for sealing ordinances in which families are bonded together for eternity. More than 347,000 people visited the Oakland California Mormon Temple that month, including dozens who stood in line in the rain for almost two hours on the final day.

The Oakland California Mormon Temple is 95,000 square feet and incorporates Sierra white granite from nearby Raymond, California. The only Mormon temple with five spires, the Oakland California Mormon Temple rises 170-feet into the air. The temple is an icon of the East Bay. The exterior of the Oakland California Mormon Temple features two 35-foot panels of sculpture – one on the north depicting Jesus teaching in Jerusalem and one on the south depicting Jesus appearing to the peoples of the Americas after his resurrection. The grounds are landscaped with connected fountains of trickling water and big, coastal palm trees.

On the site of the Oakland California Mormon Temple is a public visitors’ center, which houses a reproduction of Thorvaldsen’s “Christus” statue, and the East Bay Interstake Center, in which Sunday services are held, welcoming any and all visitors.

The temple was closed for almost two years for renovations and was reopened on October 30, 1990. Today, Latter-day Saints from northern California gather there to worship and to perform sacred ordinances in this breathtakingly beautiful house of God.

Physical Address:

4770 Lincoln Ave.

Oakland, CA

94602-2535

Telephone Number:

(510) 531-3200

In 1842, the editor of the Chicago Democrat, John Wentworth, wrote Joseph Smith a letter asking for a run down on Mormon doctrine. Joseph Smith’s response came to be known as the thirteen Articles of Faith and this short document was later canonized as scripture. The original thirteen articles are listed below, along with brief explanations of each and how they might differ from other Christian denominations’ doctrines.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

While all of Christianity adheres to certain creeds, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called Mormons) do not. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ restored the fulness of His gospel, which had been lost from the earth when all the Apostles died, through Joseph Smith in 1830. Joseph learned through a vision he had that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings. Other Christian denominations believe that the Trinity is an inexplicable combination of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Mormonism teaches, however, that they are three distinct beings who are one in purpose. Mormons believe further that God and Jesus Christ both have bodies of flesh and bone, further evidence that man is truly made in the image of God. Mormons call the three beings the Godhead who are separate in identity but one in purpose.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

The Fall of Adam and Eve has long been discussed and debated across time. Puritans believed that God had already predetermined our destinies and there was nothing we could do about it. This is false doctrine. Though Adam and Eve suffered consequences for their breaking of God’s law in partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, none of these consequences is eternal. They became mortal and were thrust out of the presence of God; consequences that each of us suffer as well. However, these consequences are reversed through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The rest of the choices we make in our own lives, however, will determine our judgment in our next life. We will be judged according to our own sins and not for Adam’s.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God. As a son of God and a mortal mother, He held power over death. It was His calling to take upon Himself the sins of mankind, something which no mere mortal was capable of. He was then called to die, which He did willingly, having power over death, but choosing to forfeit His life. He then had the power to take His life up again, which He did, gaining the keys over death and hell. By gaining this power, Christ also gained the right to determine who would qualify for the saving power of His Atonement, which gave men the opportunity to become cleansed and perfected. The terms that Jesus Christ has set for access to the power of His Atonement are obedience and repentance. We will all continue to make mistakes, but if we do our best to obey and to receive the ordinances of His gospel, He has promised to extend the cleansing power of His Atonement to us.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Since we must be obedient and receive the ordinances of Christ’s gospel to have acccess to His Atonement, it is important we know how to do that. The first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ is faith that Christ is our Savior and the Son of God. If we have this faith, we must act on it and repent of our sins. Once we have made the decision to repent, we must receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. Baptism by immersion, which is how John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ Himself, is the first ordinance of the gospel. Confirmation, or the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, is a companion ordinance to baptism. One without the other is ineffective and is void. One must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the baptism by fire spoken of in the New Testament. After receiving these ordinances, one must continue in faith and obedience to the temple, where the further necessary ordinances are given to the faithful and obedient followers of Jesus Christ.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Authority is something that was lost after the original Twelve Apostles died. This authority was lost from the earth as a consequence of the wickedness of men. While portions of the gospel remained on the earth and spread to its people, the authority to act in God’s name was lost. This authority was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith in 1830 by those who last held it in its fulness on the earth: John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John. The priesthood is the power and authority to act in God’s name. The Prophet Joseph Smith was called of God to receive this power and to extend it to other worthy men on the earth. The Lord has promised that this power will never again leave the earth before He comes again. All those who claim to preach His gospel must hold this authority.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

Jesus Christ organized His church while He was on the earth. Much of this organization is discussed in the New Testament. When He restored the gospel’s fulness through Joseph Smith, the church was organized in the same way because it was still His church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized after the manner of Jesus Christ today, with a prophet, apostles, teachers, etc.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

The gifts of the spirit are spoken of extensively in the Bible, and they were very important to the members of the Early Church. However, these gifts were lost when the priesthood was lost from the earth. These gifts were restored when the priesthood was restored. Many Latter-day Saints (or Mormons) today will testify of personal experiences with these gifts. Miraculous healings through priesthood blessings are not uncommon. Many Mormon missionaries will testify to the gift of tongues that they have momentarily been blessed with. Visions, revelations, and prophecy are also fruits of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

Many people think that Mormons do not believe in the Bible, but only in the Book of Mormon. This is untrue. Mormons believe the Bible to be the word of God, but they recognize that many plain and precious truths were lost from the book over hundreds of years. Sometimes these truths were lost due to the designs of evil men, sometimes they were lost through translation and the transmission of texts. God preserved another ancient record of the dealings of Jesus Christ with another ancient people in the Americas. This record was hidden thousands of years ago and was brought forth by the power of God to Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith then translated this record, by the power of God, and it was published as the Book of Mormon. It is a second testament that Jesus is the Christ, and it contains many of the plain and precious truths which had been lost from the Bible.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

In addition to the Bible and the Book of Mormon, Latter-day Saints accept modern revelation as scripture as well. A modern prophet has led the church since its organization in 1830. There have been sixteen prophets, each of whom has been called of God to be His mouthpiece on the earth today. God speaks to a prophet today just as He did anciently, and modern revelation is even more important to the church of Jesus Christ than ancient scripture.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

Mormons stand apart from other Christians in several ways, but a key difference is in the literal interpretation of many scriptures which others take to be figurative. Mormon doctrine teaches that the Jews (or Israel) will literally be gathered together again on the earth before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. They also believe that the scriptures are literal when they talk about the cleansing of the earth and its ultimate exaltation.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

The history of the Mormons is full of persecution and ill treatment for their practice of their beliefs and religion. Joseph Smith felt the Constitution of the United States to be a divinely inspired document, and he had complete faith in the laws of the land. When the early Saints were so heavily persecuted, it was against the laws of the land, but they were persecuted anyway. Joseph Smith continually appealed to the law for protection, because he felt the practice of religion to be an inherent right, as it was defined in the U.S. Constitution. He forced his religion on no person, but recognized that the freedom to worship belonged equally to those who disagreed with him as to those who believed him.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Joseph Smith’s upholding of the law and adherence to its principles is a testament to his faith in law. Mormon doctrine teaches all members of the Mormon Church, all around the world, to follow the laws of the land in which they live. Though the law of God will always trump the law of the land, for the most part the laws of the lands we live in today are sound and should be respected.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Mormons are taught to be obedient to the law of the land as well as to the law of God, but they are also encouraged to be joyful and happy. They should lead moral lives and should seek out the good things of this world, building up the kingdom of God and reaching out to others along their way.

“Brother MacDonald, I can almost see in vision a white temple of the Lord high upon those hills, an ensign to all the world travelers as they sail through the Golden Gate into this wonderful harbor….”

-George Albert Smith

The House of the Lord

High on the hills overlooking San Francisco stands the Oakland temple. With a certain majesty it seems to say, “I the Lord am watching all that you do.”

George Albert Smith once prophesied “A great white temple of the Lord will grace those hills, a glorious ensign to the nations, to welcome our Father’s children as they visit this great city.”

Indeed, I can hardly seperate my memories of San Francisco, a city I fell in love with long ago for its beauty, from my memories of visiting the Oakland California Temple

The purpose of this site is to introduce visitors to Mormon Temples, and to the Oakland Temple specifically. Many people I have met have questions as to what goes on inside a Mormon Temple, why we build temples, and why only certain members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are allowed to enter temples. This site attempts to answer all of these questions as well as give more specific information on the Oakland Temple itself. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Truth About Temples

Some people claim that there are “secrets” within Mormon temples because of the unwillingness of some members to discuss what goes on. Let me explain why some people do not with to discuss temples the way that has been done throughout this page. Mormon temples are holy places set apart by the Lord, and are to be held as sacred. When members of the Mormon Church enter LDS temples, they make a promise that they will not openly discuss certain aspects of the temple outside of the temple doors, even with other members of the LDS church. This is not an attempt to hide anything that is being done, but rather is part of an effort to keep what is done in temples sacred and special. This site has taken great lengths to try and explain the rituals of the Mormon temple while respecting that sacred nature.

The primary purpose of this section is to help both Mormons and non-Mormons understand how to discuss the temple outside of its doors. If you are curious and have questions, how do you ask a member of the LDS church in a way that is respectful? If you are a member being asked, how do you answer questions without going too far?

Questions About Temples

To those with questions, be patient and understanding. Be considerate if those whom you are questioning don’t feel comfortable discussing the material. If they are open to discussion, though, feel free to ask why they do what they do and their own personal feelings about it.

To you who are receiving questions, be open and honest; the work done in temples is important and people are curious. There is nothing wrong with discussing the purposes of the ordinances and the ideas behind them. Since it can be difficult to explain the endowment, you may feel more comfortable showing them a copy of the applicable sections of the Pearl of Great Price. We have promised not to discuss the actual symbols and promises, but we can do our best to answer those questions presented to us. Feel free to review the sections on this site regarding the different ordinances. There are also resources available by the Church. President Boyd K. Packer’s book, “The Holy Temple” is also very useful.