In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members are able to enter the temple beginning at the age of 12, providing they are worthy, to perform baptisms for the dead. We believe that certain ordinances, like baptism, are essential to receive exaltation and to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again, yet many people, our own ancestors even, have not had the opportunity to be baptized during their lifetime. We as members receive special temple recommends, after an interview with an ecclesiastical leader, stating that we are worthy to enter the house of the Lord to perform these sacred ordinances. That's why our church is also so interested in family history work. We believe that once the temple ordinances have been performed, those who have passed on will have the agency, the choice if you will, to accept or reject these ordinances. A few weeks ago Meilani was able to go with us to the Oakland Temple for the first time to do baptisms for the dead. She was able to stand as proxy to be baptized in behalf of some of her own ancestors. Ben was able to perform the baptisms and I got to watch and feel the flood of the Spirit as I felt more connected to my own extended family. I know that families are forever and am so thankful for the opportunity to search out my ancestors and to provide a great eternal service for them.
It was a special day to be in the temple with Meilani.
Afterwards we went to lunch just the three of us.
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