The keys or authority to perform this eternal binding were given to Peter as he was ordained by Jesus Christ who pronounced, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (New Testament | Matthew 16:19).

Many have not understood what Christ meant by this, but we believe it has been clarified by the instructions given to Joseph Smith and those who were with him as he directed the restoration of his Church here in the latter days.

We believe that following God and Christ's personal appearance to young Joseph (during which they called him as the "prophet of the restoration") other heavenly messengers visited and divine revelation was received. Similar to that which was given to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, The Twelve Apostles and many other prophets through the ages (see Amos 3:7 and 1 Peter 1:21). Peter, James and John came to Joseph and Oliver Cowdery near Harmony, Pennsylvania in May 1929 and ordained them with the same keys of authority, which they had received from Christ.

Faithful couples who are committed to following Christ, can enter sacred temples and be sealed or "bound" together for time and eternity by an officiator who holds this divine authority. Their children are also "bound" to them forever. The realization of this eternal blessing is contingent upon the parties keeping the promises entered into in the temple, which includes living the gospel.

Now, some may ask, "What about those families who lived in times and places where this eternal opportunity was not available?" This question could be expanded to, "What about baptism for those who lived when and where this essential ordinance was not available or not even known?" (Be sure to read John 3:5)

I know of no religion on the earth that can explain how we must be baptized to "see the Kingdom of God" when in fairness, most have never had this opportunity. Most religious professors have concluded that baptism is not really necessary, but this is not what the scriptures teach. Only God in his wisdom has provided the answer for all of his children to have the chance to choose to follow him and to have baptism and other necessary ordinances.

Here are some important questions for you to consider: Where will they have the chance to choose, if they have died without it? Remember Christ on the cross when he said to the thief,
"Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (New Testament | Luke 23:43)

This passage is made more understandable when one notes Christ's comment to Mary Magdalene just after the resurrection, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (New Testament | John 20:17) Paradise is obviously not in the presence of the Father.

Where was Christ?

Well, Peter sheds some light on this as he writes, "For Christ ... being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison...." (New Testament | 1 Peter 3:18 - 19)

"For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (New Testament | 1 Peter 4:6) In other words, the gospel is taught to the spirits of the dead who did not have the chance to hear it during mortal life.

But, what about baptism and binding families together? Well, as part of the restoration of the Gospel in latter days, instruction was given to build sacred temples, not unlike the ancient temples. One of the primary purposes of these temples (there are now about 115 in operation in the world) is to perform a work for those who have parted. Let me explain.

The last two verses of the Old Testament promises that Elijah the Prophet would return prior to the Second Coming of Christ and bring additional keys to the work which prompts your question. Malachi prophesies, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (Old Testament | Malachi 4:5 - 6)

Elijah did return in April 1836 with these keys. The turning of the hearts of the fathers to their children and the children to the fathers has to do with a work so important that it would be a curse to the whole earth if we didn't have this ordinance. Through specific revelation, the commandment was given to search out our ancestors -genealogy (turning the hearts of children to fathers), and arrange to have baptisms and other gospel ordinances performed for them in sacred temples.

Baptism for the dead is mentioned in the Bible (see 1Corrinthians 15:49), but no one could explain what it meant until the Lord renewed his divine communication though prophets.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the largest genealogical library in the world and hundreds of microfilm crews gathering records from all over the world. Members of the church gather names of their ancestors, send them, or take them, to the temples, where they and others perform the ordinances such as baptism and binding families together for eternity by proxy. These ordinances are performed for all, not knowing, of course, which will accept the gospel in the spirit world and thus validate the ordinance, which is performed. In other words, every last soul who has ever lived will have a chance to hear, understand, accept or reject the teaching of Jesus. Before the Day of Judgment, every one who has accepted the gospel, will have the chance for baptism either himself or vicariously.

Ultimately, it remains their choice whether the baptism and the other ordinances are valid or not.

Your ancestor was identified, apparently, by a descendant who wanted to make sure that if they accepted the teachings of the Savior in the world of spirits, baptism and eternal family opportunities would be theirs.

I know this was a long answer to your question, but I hope this helps. If you have additional questions, please email me.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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