Another letter from Joseph Smith, and I feel like I get a deeper understanding of his love for the gospel and the saints from it. He is directing how to keep records for baptism for the dead and then explaining the importance of this ordinance. Part of the importance comes from gaining salvation through family history work because, as he says several times, "their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation" (v15). On earth, we can help our ancestors achieve their salvation which in turn helps us gaining salvation for ourselves.
I love the terms he uses in v18 about baptism for the dead being the needed welding link that ties fathers to the children, and then again welded together all dispensations, keys, powers, and glories from the days of Adam. Now is the fulness of times that gives us knowledge about the history of the earth, and the revelations from the foundation of the world. I am blessed to be a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ and have this knowledge that can help with my salvation. Just yesterday I listened to many talks at my Stake Conference about the importance of the temple and doing work for the dead, and it is only reiterated now as I read the words of the Prophet.
No comments:
Post a Comment