今日の言葉
"わたしたちは，人は自分の罪のゆえに罰せられ，アダムの背きのゆえに罰せられないことを信じる。"
信仰箇条 第２条 |
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モルモン書から
すると民は皆、声を合わせて叫んだ。「そのとおり、わたしたちは、王がわたしたちに語ってくださった言葉をすべて信じています。また、全能の主の御霊のおかげで、わたしたちは王の言葉が確かで真実であることを知っています。御霊は、わたしたちが悪を行う性癖をもう二度と持つことなく、絶えず善を行う望みを持つように、わたしたちの中に、すなわちわたしたちの心の中に大きな変化を生じさせてくださいました。」
モルモン書 モーサヤ５：２ |
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Not everyone has descendants, but all of us have ancestors. |
If what Peter explains in the Bible is true, those in the next life, the world of spirits, have the opportunity to hear Christ’s teachings. In the scriptures we are taught that Jesus visited the world of spirits between the time of his death and his resurrection. There he organized his followers to spread the truths of his gospel and teach the love of God for all people. Many in the world of spirits are busy in this teaching work now, including my own father, Elmer Lee Fillmore.
Of course those who hear the message can choose not to believe what they are taught. If, however, they choose to believe and accept these teachings, they will want to become official followers Christ by receiving baptism. Until the resurrection, however, those in the world of spirits have spirit bodies, but not physical bodies. Therefore, they cannot be baptized. Because He loves all people, God has made arrangements for the descendants of these people in the world of spirits to be baptized by proxy for their ancestors.
This ancient practice is referred to in the Bible. (1 Cor 15:29) “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” Baptisms for those who are in the world of spirits can be performed by proxy in special buildings called temples. Currently there are over 130 operating temples in the world and more are planned and being built.
Perhaps some of your ancestors are among those who have accepted Christ’s teachings and want to be baptized. How can you find out if this is so? You can ask the one who knows, God himself. He loves all of His children. He wants all of them to have the blessings of knowing and living the Gospel. He will tell you if you ask sincerely and he will teach you what you can do to be a greater blessing for your departed ancestors.
Wade W. Fillmore, Assistant Editor
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