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.

This Work Must Hasten

Salt Lake City Utah Temple - © Stuart Gardner

“With regard to temple and family history work, I have one overriding message: This work must hasten. The work waiting to be done is staggering and escapes human comprehension. Last year we performed proxy temple endowments for about five and a half million persons, but during that year about fifty million persons died. This might suggest futility in the work that lies before us, but we cannot think of futility. Surely the Lord will support us if we use our best efforts in carrying out the commandment to do family history research and temple work. The great work of the temples and all that supports it must expand. It is imperative!”

– President Howard W. Hunter, “We Have A Work To Do,” Ensign, March 1995, p. 65.

A Deep Sense of Alliance With God

Oquirrh Mountain Temple - © Stuart Gardner

“The objective of family history work is to make the blessings of the temple available to all people, both living and dead. As we attend the temple and perform work for the dead, we accomplish a deep sense of alliance with God and a better understanding of his plan for the salvation of the human race. We learn to love our neighbors as ourselves. Truly there is no work equal to that done in the temple.” 

– President Howard W. Hunter, “We Have A Work To Do,” Ensign, March 1995, p. 65.