This seems to conflict with this statement that a mormon blogged about
Mormons believe we can act as PROXY for the dead. Dead people obviously don't have physical bodies anymore, so they can't get baptised for themselves. We can be baptised in their stead. HOW SPOOKY IS THAT?? Super cool. If the deceased decide they don't wanna be a stinkin' Mormon, they don't have to. But if they, by any chance, have been convinced by one of our very convincing reps in The Spirit World that The Gospel is true then... TAAA DAAA! Congratulations! You're a Mormon! (And more importantly, you've been forgiven of your sins and can progress through the eternities.)
http://crystalsapistol.blogspot.com/search?q=baptism
If you don't get your temple papers, you can't see God. But if you die and a Mormon baptize you, then you can see him?
I’ll tell you this, I don’t for one second believe that anything that I went through in the temple has one damn thing to do with a person’s salvation. A bunch of hocus pocus bull.
I went once initially to be sealed to my wife[ Wash. D.C.], and then one more time [Atlanta, GA] after to see if it was any different because of why we were attending. Not. I didn’t feel anything there was getting me closer to God. Nothing. Go through the rote rituals, sit for a few minutes in the so-called celestial room [the hotel lobby as you call it] and then get ushered out to make room for the next tour. What a pantload. Never went back.
Here’s the list of “ordinances” that take place in the temple;
- Endowment (baptism ceremony including washing and anointing)
- Confirmation
- Ordination to higher offices of the priesthood (and ordination to Elder on behalf of the dead)
- Marriage and other eternal family sealings
- Prayer Circle (antiphonic prayer around an altar during Endowments and other ceremonies)
- Hosanna Shout (at temple dedications)
- Feet washing (rare)
- Second Anointing (rare)
Funny thing is, the mormons place “qualifiers” on all of their members. Members have to pass the test [TR interview questions], not once, but twice in order to be permitted to participate in these “ordinances” in order to earn the celestial kingdom.
From one of PD’s own sources; Temple ordinances are instruments of spiritual rebirth. In the words of President David O. McKay, they are the “step-by-step ascent into the eternal presence.” Through them, and only through them, the powers of godliness are granted to men in the flesh (D&C 84:20-22). Temple ordinances confirm mature discipleship; they are the essence of fervent worship and an enabling and ennobling expression of one’s love for God (See Temple Worship)
http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/temples/temple_ceremony.html
Yep, that’s why they got rid of the throat slash, vow of revenge, blood oath, etc. “Fervent” is right.
“You and each of you do covenant and promise that you will pray, and never cease to pray, Almighty God to avenge the blood of the prophets upon this nation, and that you will teach the same to your children and your children’s children unto the third and fourth generations.”
- U.S. Senate Document 486 (59th Congress, 1st Session) Proceedings Before the Committee on Privileges and Elections of the United States Senate in the Matter of the Protests Against the Right of Hon. Reed Smoot, a Senator from the State of Utah, to hold his Seat, pp. 6-7 (Oath was removed from temple ceremony on February 15, 1927)