Are Mormons Christians?

Salvation After Death?

By Douglas K. Hollen

Is There Salvation After Death? The Bible Says NO! Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

The Mormon answer – YES! Note the following quotes from Doctrines of Salvation, Volume II, Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith: “TEMPLE PROXIES REPRESENT THE DEAD. When we go into the temple to do work for the dead, we go representing the dead, acting vicariously and as proxies for the dead.” (pg. 142)

Why? So they may receive salvation -- both the living and the dead! “GRANDEUR OF DOCTRINE OF SALVATION FOR DEAD. This doctrine of giving an equal chance to the dead to hear and receive the truth, wherein they were denied that privilege while living is one of the grandest, most reasonable, and soul satisfying doctrines ever revealed to man.…and in our limited way become saviors to many people. (pg. 143)

“But, more importantly, so the living may receive salvation and be exalted to godhood. It matters not even if we have been baptized and have had hands laid on our heads for the reception of the Holy Ghost, if we wilfully (spelled this way in original) neglect the salvation of our dead, then also we shall stand rejected of the Lord, because we have rejected our dead; and just so sure their blood will be required at our hands. (pg. 145)

“Moreover, we cannot be made perfect without our faithful dead who are also heirs of celestial exaltation.…Therefore our salvation and progression depends upon the salvation of our worthy dead with whom we must be joined in family ties. This can only be accomplished in our temples.” (pg. 147)

So in a nutshell, why do Mormons practice baptism for the dead? Because for centuries, the Christian Church was “apostate.” During that time, no one heard the “fullness of the gospel,” therefore, no one was saved according to Mormon doctrine -- that is, until Joseph Smith restored the “fullness of the gospel.” Since it would not be fair for those who never had a chance to hear the “fullness of the gospel” and never had the chance to receive the temple ordinances or get the chance to be exalted to godhood; the Mormon people of today must do all they can to help them.

This is a two-step process. First, Mormons that have died go as missionaries to spirit prison to witness to those who have not heard, or had a chance to accept the “fullness of the gospel.” But, since baptism is necessary for salvation and you cannot baptize a spirit with water; Mormons who are alive today are baptized in their name. Thus, step two, baptism for the dead, is completing their salvation.

Furthermore, Mormonism would teach that in order to make it to the highest degree of glory – godhood – they must take their family with them. Those who are living must do all they can to help those who are dead. Mormons live in constant fear that their deceased family members, through the witness of a missionary in spirit prison, may have converted to Mormonism, yet they cannot proceed with eternal progression because they are waiting for their baptism. So, Mormons labor day and night, researching their genealogies, building more and more temples, being baptized hundreds of times, so that everyone who has died will have a chance to be exalted.

Yet, Christ taught there will be no missionaries in the spirit world. He told a story in Luke 16:19-31 that went a little like this: A rich man dies and goes to Hades. A poor man named Lazarus dies and goes to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man sees Lazarus afar off and begs for mercy. Listen to Abraham’s reply: “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” (Luke 16:25-26 - KJV) Did you notice that Lazarus could not go to the rich man?

Furthermore, the Psalmist teaches us that man cannot redeem man: “Yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God, since the price of redeeming him is too costly, one should forever stop trying.” (Psalm 49:7-8 - Holman Translation)

This is not saying that we should stop evangelizing – telling the lost that Christ’s death on the cross has paid their sin debt in full. No, we should never stop evangelizing! What it is saying is: I cannot save anybody, I cannot be baptized for anybody, I cannot redeem anybody. Redemption is of God and it is between a person and God. I must stop trying to be their savior -- all I can do is point them to the cross!

So, what does the Book of Mormon have to say about this? Surprisingly enough…nothing! Nowhere in the Book of Mormon does it teach baptism for the dead. A question that begs for an answer is: “If the Book of Mormon is to contain the ‘fullness of the everlasting gospel,’ then why is there no mention of this all-important doctrine?”

Witnessing point: Ask your Mormon friends why they get baptized for the dead, then ask them three questions: “If all Christian Churches (who do not teach baptism for the dead) are apostate, then why do Mormons want to appear Christian?” “If Christ taught there is no salvation after death, and Joseph Smith taught there was, who is right?” And, “If this is a cornerstone doctrine of the Mormon Church, why is there no mention of it in the Book of Mormon?”

The short answer is: Christ is right! There is no salvation after death, therefore there is no need for baptizing for the dead and the Mormon doctrine of baptism for the dead is unchristian and unbiblical. Truly Joseph Smith was a false prophet.

II Corinthians 6:2 “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Note: Please keep in mind, I have barely scratched the surface on this topic. Nearly one-third of Doctrines of Salvation, Volume II, Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith deals with this issue. Since it is a major doctrine of the Mormon Church, the concept is woven into just about everything they teach. Though I did not quote directly from any of the following sources, they were of great value in my research and for further study, I would recommend: Reasoning From the Scriptures With Mormons by Ron Rhodes and Marian Bodine, What Do Mormons Really Believe? by John Ankerberg and John Weldon, Mormonism 101 by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, plus Answering Mormon Questions by Bill McKeever.

Douglas K. Hollen attends Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and takes the Gospel of Christ to Mormons in an effort to bring them to Christ. He is available to speak at your church or small Bible study group about Mormonism by contacting him at (314) 691-5418.