Not One Soul Shall Be Overlooked

Logan Utah Temple - Photo from LDS Media Library

“By the time Christ comes we are expected to have done all that is within our power to do now for our dead. That does not mean we are going to do all that is to be done, because it will go on during the millennium. The great work of the millennium will be the salvation of the dead, and those who are on the other side will help us, too, by bringing us information. The ordinances for the salvation of the dead are mortal ordinances, because all these ordinances pertain to this life, and immortal beings cannot perform them.

“Those who will be living here then will be in daily communication with those who have passed through the resurrection, and they will come with this information, this knowledge that we do not have and will give it to those who are in mortality saying. 'Now go into the temples and do this work; when you get this done, we will bring you other names.’ And in that way every soul who is entitled to a place in the celestial kingdom of God will be ferreted out, and not one soul shall be overlooked.” 

– Joseph Fielding Smith, compiled by Bruce R. McConkie, 

Doctrines of Salvation, Vol 2, pp 166-167, Bookcraft, 1955.

You Will Be Called Their Pioneers

“We are all required to make journeys of faith. That is the gospel plan. Our path may not be crossing an ocean or walking alone from an empty train station. But whatever it is, it will demand faith in every footstep. Years from now your grandchildren will tell with amazement stories of your choices which changed their lives. You will be called their pioneers. Have you ever thought that as you step into the unknown … you are showing others the way?” 

– Bonnie D. Parkin, “Finding Faith In Every Footstep,” LDS General Conference, April 1997.

A Natural Yearning to Connect

“Every human being who comes to this earth is the product of generations of parents. We have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. This desire dwells in our hearts, regardless of age.” 

- Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Generations Linked in Love,” LDS General Conference, April 2010.

The Master ... The Greatest Example of Vicarious Work for the Dead

Christ Kneels in the Garden of Gethsemane, Photo from LDS Media Library

“Does it seem reasonable that persons who have lived upon the earth and died without the opportunity of baptism should be deprived throughout eternity? Is there anything unreasonable about the living performing the baptisms for the dead? Perhaps the greatest example of vicarious work for the dead is the Master himself. He gave his life as a vicarious atonement, that all who die shall live again and have life everlasting. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. In a similar way we can perform ordinances for those who did not have the opportunity to do them in lifetime.”

 – Elder Howard W. Hunter, “Elijah the Prophet,” Ensign, December 1971.

We Are Not Left To Do This Work Alone

“I remind you that it is a veil, not a wall, that separates us from the spirit world. Veils can become thin, even parted. We are not left to do this work alone. They who have preceded us in this work and our forebears there, on occasion, are very close to us. I have a testimony of this work; it is a supernal work in the Church. I am a witness that those who go beyond the veil yet live and minister here, to the end that this work might be completed. God grant that we who have an opportunity to have part in it might seek that opportunity and labor with all our might.” 

- Boyd K. Packer, “Covenants”, LDS General Conference, April 1987.