TheDiscipleMD

Many years ago, our church held an open house. A lady in her fifties attended and spent an hour and a half at the building discussing the church and watching a video. After the video presentation, she had a few questions for me. She asked, “How do you baptize and at what age?” I replied, “By immersion and at eight years of age, which we view as the age of accountability.” She told me she was an active member of another faith and was interested to know what happens to those who are never baptized. I replied, “Well, I have an answer for you that I hope will be satisfactory.” I asked her if she knew anything about our temples. She replied that as a young adult, she had attended and gone through the Washington D.C. temple when it had been open to the public before its dedication. She said it was a wonderful experience. I proceeded to explain our doctrine of “baptizing for the dead.” I quoted and explained the concept as found in the New Testament. (1 Corinthians 15:29, 1 Peter 4:6) She had several follow-up questions on the matter such as, “What if someone didn’t want to be baptized,” and “Is that why your church is so interested in Genealogy?”

After addressing her follow-up questions, I said to her, “Does that answer satisfy you?” She emphatically said, “Yes, it does!” I bore testimony to her that there is no other church on the face of the earth that teaches a doctrine that answers this most fundamental question that continues to perplex Christians of all faiths. How can God be just and merciful if baptism is a requirement for entrance into his kingdom (John 3:5), yet millions never get the opportunity in this life to accept or reject this ordinance?

Over the years, I have spoken with many Christians of different faiths on this subject. Each time I explain the concept of “baptisms for the dead,” they seem pleased with the answer to the troubling question of how God can be just and merciful when it comes to this fundamental commandment. How can He condemn some souls to Hell, without first allowing them to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior?

I’m not sure if this woman will even return to our building. But what I do know is that she felt “satisfied” with the answer that the restored gospel has for this most troubling question. It’s an answer that seems to soothe the soul because it makes sense that a loving God would be just and merciful to all his children. He would provide a way for all to return to his presence. We know what that way is! It’s baptism for both the living and the dead.

I am grateful to live in a time when I can find peace and serenity in knowing that God loves each of His children and has provided a way for all of them to return to Him. It is a wonderful doctrine that resonates deeply with my soul.