I read crud like this and wonder why Dean Wormer (aka Eric Hilbert) only puts
me on Double Secret Probation for uncharitable posts!
Were I to follow the generous examples of the practitioners of true religion found here (as opposed to my own life as a “cult” member that londonstimes so graciously points out), I would demand the following:
- When I die, LT, your people better not say the Mourner’s Kaddish in my behalf. You have no right unless I give it to you. And because I have this big chip on my shoulder, I demand it not be done. I don’t care what you think G-d has said on the subject, nor how kind and generous a thing someone of good will might view it. I’m upset!
- And you Catholics don’t be praying the Rosary for me! It doesn’t matter how sincere you are, and it’s of no consequence that you feel bound by the Lord to do so. My personal consent overrides all that, and unless you have my express written permission (and you don’t!), I demand that you cease and desist.
- I also know that both your traditions have some tender act of religious devotion that involves lighting candles in behalf of others in connection with beseeching God in their behalf. Well back off! How dare you exhibit such deeply felt religious sincerity for others’ spiritual welfare? I’m soooo offended!
Stupid enough yet? The truth is I don’t hold those views at all. I personally know that these acts have indeed been performed in behalf of myself and those I love, much to my blessing and having my heart softened by such devotion not just to me, but to God, who my Catholic and Jewish friends serve. I’m sorry that what we Latter-day Saints do in our temples seems incapable of being viewed in that same light by some among those who are not of our faith.
This notion of “making Mormons” of the dead by being baptized in their behalf is absurd. From our own theological perspective, this simply isn’t possible. In our view, the ordinances (including baptism) that are performed in our temples in behalf of the dead are binding on an individual only when the person for whom they are performed accepts the gospel of Christ upon which the ordinances are founded. If that doesn’t occur, they are of no effect whatsoever. An individual’s freedom of choice is absolutely fundamental to our doctrine and God will not approve its violation in this world or the one to come. Think about it. If the logic being put forth by some posters here was viable, why wouldn’t we Mormons do the same for the living as we do for the dead? I’d just run down and be baptized for you all and - voila! - everyone would be instantly transformed and suddenly be wearing white shirts and ties, worrying about food storage and why BYU basketball stinks! :yup:
I readily admit and am embarassed by the actions of some of our people that have caused offense in this thing. I concur with my church’s official statement on the subject as regarding my people: “It is distressing when an individual willfully violates the Church’s policy and something that should be understood to be an offering based on love and respect becomes a source of contention. The Church will continue to do all it can to prevent such instances, including denying access to these genealogical records or other privileges to those who abuse them in this way.”
LT thinks Mormons are involved in some grand conspiracy, so no doubt he’ll reject the statement (but not to worry, LT, I’ll
never believe that Jews blew up the WTC on 9/11

).
I think there are just some over-enthusiastic dopes among the Mormons who won’t follow our leaders’ counsel in this thing (freedom of choice again). And I think I’m right. I live among these people and heaven knows I can name 10 crackpots to every 1 that any of you have met!
But that’s us. We’re failed and sinful just like you. But that doesn’t preclude our trying to do the best we can by the light we believe the Lord has given us - just like you.
One poster stated that the worst to be said about our practice of vicarious work for the dead is that it’s a monumental waste of time. I can live with that. On the other hand, Ghandi’s grandson, commenting on his grandfather having been baptized for by the Mormons, is quoted as saying, “My grandfather always believed in respecting all the religions. When anyone asked him in his lifetime which religion he believed in, he said, ‘I’m a Hindu, I’m a Christian, I’m a Muslim, I’m a Buddhist, I’m everything.’ So in that spirit, I think he’d now say he’s a Mormon, too.”
Maybe so. Maybe not. It’s not for me to judge.