Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" (1 Corinthians 15:29).
In fact, this verse is included in the inspiring section concerning the resurrection of the dead (see verses 20-34). The Apostle Paul has just testified in an earlier verse -- "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22).
As the Apostle Paul bore witness of the resurrection for all people, he stressed that the early Christians were performing baptisms for the dead.
This doctrine was familiar to the Christians of Corinth. After the resurrection of the Savior, early Christians performed baptisms for the dead until Christ's church fell into apostasy and the proper priesthood authority was taken from the earth.
When the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth in this last dispensation, the doctrine of salvation for the dead and the ordinance of baptizing proxies in behalf of the dead were again revealed and restored as part of the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
While living in Nauvoo, Illinois and surrounding areas, early members of the restored Church performed these vicarious baptisms for the dead -- particularly for their own ancestors. The Prophet Joseph Smith emphasized the importance of baptisms for the dead when he declared:
"The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 179-180).
Today, baptisms for the dead are only performed in the temples built and dedicated by the Church. This is one of the primary reasons that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wants to build and dedicate temples throughout the world.
Temples stand as witnesses for the resurrection of all Heavenly Father's children, as well as the eternal nature of the human soul.
