baptismal font

28.

Temple Ordinances for the Deceased

28.0

Introduction

Ordinances performed in temples make it possible for families to be together for eternity and experience a fulness of joy in God’s presence.

For Heavenly Father’s children to return to Him, each of them must repent, become worthy to receive the ordinances of salvation and exaltation, and honor the covenants associated with each ordinance.

Heavenly Father knew that many of His children would not receive these ordinances during their mortal lives. He provided another way for them to receive ordinances and make covenants with Him. In temples, ordinances can be performed by proxy. This means that a living person receives ordinances on behalf of someone who is deceased. In the spirit world, deceased persons can choose to accept or reject ordinances that have been performed for them (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:19, 32–34, 58–59).

Church members are encouraged to identify deceased relatives who have not received the ordinances of salvation and exaltation. Members then perform the ordinances on behalf of those relatives.

If members have not prepared family names for temple work (see 28.1.1), the names of deceased persons who need ordinances will be provided at the temple.

28.1

General Guidelines for Performing Proxy Ordinances

Deceased persons who were age 8 or older at the time of their death may have proxy ordinances performed on their behalf. Except as noted in 28.3, proxy ordinances may be performed for all deceased persons as soon as 30 days have passed from their date of death if either of the following applies:

• A close relative of the deceased (undivorced spouse, adult child, parent, or sibling) submits the name for temple ordinances.

• Permission to perform the ordinances is received from a close relative of the deceased (undivorced spouse, adult child, parent, or sibling).

If neither of the above conditions applies, proxy temple ordinances may be performed 110 years after the deceased person was born.

28.1.1

Preparing the Names of Deceased Persons for Temple Ordinances

Where possible, information identifying deceased family members should be entered into FamilySearch.org before temple ordinances are performed (see 25.4.2).

28.1.1.1

Submitting the Names of Family Members

When submitting names for proxy temple ordinances, members should generally submit only the names of persons to whom they are related.

28.1.2

Who May Participate in Ordinances for the Deceased

All members who have a current temple recommend may participate in baptisms and confirmations for the dead. Endowed members with a current temple recommend may participate in all ordinances for the deceased. See 26.3.

28.1.4

Scheduling

Members may need to make an appointment before performing ordinances for the deceased. See temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org for each temple’s contact information and scheduling requirements.

28.2

Performing Temple Ordinances for Deceased Persons

When performing proxy ordinances, a member may act as proxy only for a deceased person who is the same birth sex as the member.

28.2.1

Baptisms and Confirmations for the Dead

Any member who has a current temple recommend may be invited to serve in one or more baptistry assignments. Some of the assignments might include:

• Acting as proxy for baptisms.

• Acting as a witness for proxy baptisms.

• Acting as proxy for confirmations.

• Assisting patrons.

Melchizedek Priesthood holders and priests in the Aaronic Priesthood may be invited to perform baptisms for the dead. Melchizedek Priesthood holders may also be invited to officiate in confirmations for the dead.

Only endowed men may be invited to:

• Serve as the font recorder.

• Serve as the confirmation recorder.

28.2.2

Endowment (Including Initiatory)

When performing proxy endowments for the deceased, the initiatory portion of the endowment is performed and recorded separately (see 27.2). Any endowed member with a current temple recommend may act as a proxy to receive these ordinances.

28.2.3

Sealing to Spouse and Sealing Children to Parents

In the temple, deceased persons may be sealed to spouses to whom they were married in life. Deceased persons may also have their living or deceased children sealed to them. An endowed member with a current temple recommend may act as a proxy for sealing ordinances.

28.3

Special Circumstances

This section explains circumstances in which some of the guidelines in 28.1 may not apply.

28.3.1

Children Who Died before Birth (Stillborn and Miscarried Children)

Temple ordinances are not needed or performed for children who die before birth. For more information, see 38.7.3.

28.3.2

Children Who Died before Age Eight

Little children are redeemed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and “saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven” (Doctrine and Covenants 137:10). For this reason, no baptism or endowment is performed for a child who died before age 8. However, sealings to parents may be performed for children who were not born in the covenant or did not receive that ordinance in life (see 18.1).