How Is Our Salvation Connected to That of Our Ancestors?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 125-128 in a lesson titled “A Voice of Gladness for the Living and the Dead.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

In August 1840, a grieving Jane Neyman listened to the Prophet Joseph speak at the funeral of his friend Seymour Brunson. Jane’s own teenage son Cyrus had also recently passed away. Adding to her grief was the fact that Cyrus had never been baptized, and Jane worried what this would mean for his eternal soul. Joseph had wondered the same thing about his beloved brother Alvin, who also died before being baptized. So the Prophet decided to share with everyone at the funeral what the Lord had revealed to him about people who pass away without receiving gospel ordinances – and what we can do to help them.

The doctrine of baptism for the dead thrilled the Saints; their thoughts turned immediately to deceased family members. Now there was hope for them! Joseph shared their joy, and in a letter teaching this doctrine, he used joyful, enthusiastic language to express what the Lord taught him about the salvation of the dead: “Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King!” (Doctrine and Covenants 128:23).

This scripture block contains several principles, including (1) The Lord wants me to care for my family (Doctrine and Covenants 126), (2) I can rely on the Lord during difficult times (Doctrine and Covenants 127:2-4), (3) “Whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven” (Doctrine and Covenants 127:5-8; 128:1-8), and (4) The salvation of my ancestors is essential to my salvation (Doctrine and Covenants 128:5-25).

This essay will discuss principle #4 about our salvation being connected with that of our ancestors. It’s clear from what God revealed through Joseph Smith why our ancestors who weren’t baptized in this life need us: we are baptized on their behalf so they can choose to accept or reject this ordinance. But the Prophet also taught that our ancestor’s salvation is “necessary and essential to our salvation.” First, a few verses from the applicable section.

1 As I stated to you in my letter before I left my place, that I would write to you from time to time and give you information in relation to many subjects, I now resume the subject of the baptism for the dead, as that subject seems to occupy my mind, and press itself upon my feelings the strongest, since I have been pursued by my enemies.

5 You may think this order of things to be very particular; but let me tell you that it is only to answer the will of God, by conforming to the ordinance and preparation that the Lord ordained and prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation of the dead who should die without a knowledge of the gospel.

6 And further, I want you to remember that John the Revelator was contemplating this very subject in relation to the dead, when he declared, as you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12—And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

7 You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote to you previous to my leaving my place—that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven. (Doctrine and Covenants 128:1, 5-7)

In a talk given at the April 2005 General Conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke about vicarious sacrifices, beginning with the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which made it possible for all mortals to be resurrected AND paid for the sins of all individuals who repent of their sins.

        “Jesus’s Atonement in behalf of all represents a great vicarious sacrifice. He set the pattern under             which He became a proxy for all mankind. This pattern under which one man can act in behalf of         another is carried forward in the ordinances of the house of the Lord. Here we serve in behalf of             those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel. Theirs is the option to accept or reject the         ordinance which is performed. They are placed on an equal footing with those who walk the earth.         The dead are given the same opportunity as the living. Again, what a glorious and wonderful                     provision the Almighty has made through His revelation to His Prophet” (“The Great Things           Which God Has Revealed,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 82-83).