This is #9 in a series of posts in which I share some of the things I have experienced because I am a Mormon. In each of these posts, I will give you a basic background and share a small experience. I hope that through the sharing of these small things you can have a glimpse into my experience as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I will also try to explain principles and doctrines of my faith that bring me so much happiness.
Background: The people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints love temples. They are sacred places where we make covenants with God, participate in sacred ordinances, and we are taught. To enter a temple, a person must be worthy and prepared for the important work that goes on there. Ordinances such as eternal marriages are performed in temples for the living and the dead.
Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to enter into the kingdom of God, yet many people have not had the opportunity to be baptized in their lives. Because God is merciful and just, baptisms may be performed for the dead. In the temple, living proxies are baptized for the dead (1 Corinthians 15:29), one name at a time. This sacred work takes place in our temples with the proper priesthood keys and authority. In no way do these proxy baptisms “force” a person to accept “Mormon” doctrine. It is a gift that the dead may choose to accept or not accept.
Church members are encouraged to seek out the names of their deceased ancestors and be baptized and receive the other temple ordinances for them.
To learn more about temples, you may go here.
Alli
Alli was born in Turku, Finland and came to America in 1921 and settled in the Bay Area. She worked as a washer woman, which was an extremely arduous task. Heavy loads, scalding water, and strong chemicals all probably contributed to her ill health, and it is likely that she had tuberculosis when she entered the United States. She had lovely dark hair and gray eyes. She was married to a man named Axel, an immigrant from Sweden, and they had a daughter named Ruth. Alli’s health declined and she eventually entered a sanitarium. Her daughter Ruth has perhaps one memory of her mother, and that is waving to her through the window at this sanitarium. Alli died when Ruth was only two years old.
Alli was my great-grandmother and Ruth is my grandmother.
It was with these stories of Alli’s short life that I carried her name to the temple in Mesa, Arizona, in December 2008 with Paige to begin her temple ordinance work. Paige was baptized for Alli and several other deceased grandmothers. As I heard each name and watched Paige being baptized for them, tears streamed down my face. My heart turned to my grandmothers and I believe that I felt their love.
I was the proxy for Alli’s other temple work, and as I listened to the promises and blessings given, my heart and mind seemed to exclaim, “No blessing will be denied her!”
I believe that Heavenly Father makes up for every loss, every heartache, and every need. It is through the vicarious sacrifice of the Savior for all of us and through vicarious service in the temples that He accomplishes this.
The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way…
Not even death can take from us the eternal blessings promised by a loving Heavenly Father. (Elder Joseph B Worthlin, “Come What May and Love It,” Ensign, November 2008)
To me, temples symbolize Heavenly Father’s love for all of his children. I am thankful that I can go there and feel His peace and joy in serving others.