You asked why Mormons go through baptisms for the dead. For your reference, Paul referred to baptisms for the dead when he spoke to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15:29. When Christ organized his church on the earth two thousand years ago, his doctrine included baptisms for the dead so that those who had not had the opportunity to hear and understand the gospel message might receive that opportunity in the spirit world before they stand to be judged by our Savior, Jesus Christ. If you’ll reference

1 Peter 3:18-19 and 1 Peter 4:6, you will see that the gospel was preached in the spirit world after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Since we are all commanded by Christ to repent and be baptized for the remission of our sins and to take upon ourselves his name, if we do not have that opportunity while in this life how could all of God’s children be fairly judged if some of us came to earth and could not hear the gospel message? As members of the LDS Church, we feel a keen responsibility to perform baptisms by proxy for those who have passed on without having heard the gospel message.

Like you, we believe that Christ atoned for the sins of all mankind and that by accepting his gospel we take upon ourselves his name and enjoy all of the blessings which he has promised to his faithful followers.

You said in your letter that The Book of Mormon says that blacks cannot be saved nor be a part of the LDS church, and yet recently, one of the prophets had a revelation and said that it is okay. I do not know where you got that information since The Book of Mormon does not speak of blacks and their salvation. First of all, "blacks," or people of African descent, are not mentioned in The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a history of a people who left Jerusalem in 600 BC and were guided to the Americas by the hand of the Lord. The book gives an account of their lives for one thousand years until 400 AD. It tells of the prophets that God sent among them to preach the gospel to them. It tells how Christ himself appeared to them after his crucifixion in Jerusalem and taught them more of his gospel. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it invites all men everywhere to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.

As to blacks not holding the priesthood, this was so throughout all the ages, was spoken of at the time of Moses, and Noah, and was not changed until these latter days when in 1978 the prophet at the head of the church received direct revelation from God concerning the matter. It was then that men of every race, including African descent, were given the privilege of holding the priesthood. The Book of Mormon does not speak of blacks holding the priesthood. If you have a chance to reread it, that will become clear to you.

I hope this is helpful.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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