“Obadiah 1: Redeeming the Dead,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 185

“Obadiah 1,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, 185

Redeeming the Dead

Understanding the Scriptures

Obadiah 1:21—“Saviours … on Mount Zion”

Modern prophets have pointed to Obadiah 1:21 as a prophecy of the latter-day temple work performed for those who died without hearing the gospel and receiving its ordinances. The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 330).