Lesson Notes

Redemption for the Dead
In January 1836, many years after his brother Alvin's death, and before Joseph had even obtained the plates of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith received a vision of the celestial kingdom. Joseph "marveled how it was that [Alvin] had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins" (D&C 137:6). The voice of the Lord then came to Joseph, declaring:
"All who died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts." (D&C 137:7-9)

The Savior, Jesus Christ, offers the opportunity for forgiveness and deliverance to both the living and the dead. 1 Peter 3:19-20 tells of the Savior visiting the spirits in prison after his death. What did he preach to them? They they were to stay there? Certainly not! Christ said "He hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives..." Isaiah testified that Christ came "To bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness from the prison house."

It is our duty and privilege to be baptized and confirmed for those who have died without the gospel. "And now the purposes of God are hastening to their accomplishment, and the things spoken of in the Prophets are fulfilling, as the kingdom of God is established on the earth, and the ancient order of things restored, the Lord has manifested to us this duty and privelege, and we are commanded to be baptized for our dead, thus fulfilling the words of Obadiah, 'And saviors shall come upon Mount Zion to judge the remnant of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord's,'"


Announcements:

July 18 Stake Pioneer Commemoration at the Stake Center Activities will be going on all day.