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Such a practice is not biblical. But I'm not sure that has stopped the LDS in the past.

They base it on this passage in 1 Cor 15:29:

"29Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?"

So it IS biblical. Problem is interpretation. I never really understood this passage, but apparently the early Christians were engaging in this practice and it isn't clear where Paul stands on it. He doesn't come right out and condemn it.

To me, the early Christians were doing this for relatives who had died before they knew about Jesus. Now everybody (in the west at least and much of the rest of the world) knows about Jesus. I think the Mormons rationalize it that they have the true Christian practices, as restored by Joseph Smith.

What are the Jews going to do when they find out there have probably been innumerable Catholic masses offered for them? In the Catholic faith, you can offer a mass for anyone, living or dead.

How would Mormons react to having a Catholic mass said for them?

That's an excellent question--I'm sure as unique as the situation. The families I know have been pleased to receive prayers for their loved one. One time prayers for the soul is quite different than what's being discussed here.

How would Mormons react to having a Catholic mass said for them?

I would hope that the Mormons would react the same way that I have reacted to their practice in my posts.

I would hope that they too would be think kindly of someone who has taken the trouble to put in a good word for them with God, as they believe God wants it done.

Let's say a Freeper posts about a relative that is in the hospital doing poorly. A Catholic Freeper then asks his priest to offer a Mass for him, a Baptist Freeper asks his prayer group to pray for him, a Jewish Freeper asks his Rabbi to offer a prayer for him and a Mormon does what he believes God wants him to do to help this individual achieve Salvation.

These are all action of spiritual charity done for unselfish reasons. I see no need for anybody to feel insulted.

"He doesn't come right out and condemn it."

The context of the verse is that Paul is arguing against false teachers who claimed there would be no resurection. Paul points out the inconsistance of practicing baptism for the dead and denying resurection at the same time. It is very reasonable IMHO to assume that Paul would not reference baptism for the dead in this way if it too was a false practice.

"Now everybody (in the west at least and much of the rest of the world) knows about Jesus. "

Knowing ABOUT Jesus is one thing, knowing Jesus is another. Most people do not know Jesus, and billions have lived and died, and still live and die, without even knowing about Jesus. God's love and salvation is not limited to those who happen to be born in the right time/place to have access to the gospel durring their life.

"I think the Mormons rationalize it that they have the true Christian practices, as restored by Joseph Smith."

Sort of, we belive that the preisthood authority of God to perform ordinances was withdrawn due to apostacy, so we don't see the baptisms done by other churches as valid in God's eyes. We also belive that baptism is required, so it is important to extend to all mankind the opportunity to meet that requirement.

"How would Mormons react to having a Catholic mass said for them?"

I would not be offended in the least. In fact I would be touched that someoned cared enough about me to express it that way. I don't understand how someone who actually understands what we do (and disagrees with the validity of it) can feel offended by it. If there is no validity to it, then we are all wasting our own time and resources and not changing anything.

Yes, I'm aware that they have extracted this passage for their purposes. However, wrong-thinking about scripture is what leads to wrong-thinking about the One whom scripture is about. Therein lies the problem with the LDS church.