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Baptisms for the Dead

Baptisms for the Dead

family outside the temple

Purpose

Perform sacred temple ordinances for others. As you do, you will experience the joy, protection, and spiritual power that come from attending the temple.

Description

Obtain a temple recommend and attend the temple to participate in baptisms and confirmations for the dead. (If you have questions about obtaining a recommend, talk to a parent or leader.) You could invite a friend or family member to go with you. You could also go with your class or another group. You might consider taking a picture with your friends or family outside the temple to help you remember your experience.

If possible, prepare one or more family names beforehand to take to the temple.

More Ideas

  • Temple recommends—Before going to the temple, invite the bishop or another priesthood leader to talk to your group about why recommends are important and how to obtain one.

  • Why temples?—With your family, class, or other group, watch the video “Why Latter-day Saints Build Temples.”

  • Remember the temple—Make yourself a reminder of the temple. Print pictures of temples from LDS Media Library or use one from a Church magazine. You could make or decorate frames for your temple pictures. Hang your temple picture in a place where you will see it often, or put it on your computer or mobile device.

  • Indexing—Participate in indexing to help others find names for temple work.

  • Make a plan—If distance or other factors make it difficult to go to the temple now, make a plan for going to the temple in the future. List the things you need to do (for instance, earn money or meet worthiness goals). Set a target date for each item on your list.

Discussion

Encourage participants to talk about what they are learning. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity. You could ask questions like the following:

  • Why do you think it is important to do temple ordinances for those who have died?

  • When has attending the temple blessed your life?

  • What thoughts or impressions do you have about attending the temple? How can you make the temple a greater part of your life?

  • How can you apply what you are learning in your life?

Related Resources

Sabbath Day Lessons

Other