Temples are also for Work during the Millennium

[Jonesy]

Why are children not baptized or if they die before the age of accountability, why aren't they proxy baptized?

Why do those who don't come forth in the first resurrection need proxy baptism or any baptism? The reason they aren't coming forth in the first resurrection is because they don't "qualify" for the Celestial Kingdom. So, they aren't going to the Celestial Kingdom and baptism is the gateway to the Celestial Kingdom.

-Finrock

I'd like to clarify my position.

First, I think children are in a position altogether different. As children are given a priesthood blessing when they are born, their names are entered into the records. Likewise, I think all children's names will be entered into the records by priesthood authority. That's another subject. I don't, however, understand your position that that excuses others not to be baptized.

But for those who are capable or have been capable in this life of receiving and accepting the gospel law, which is the first step, must do so by baptism. I think the scriptures emphatically state this.

I think you could be right about those not of the first resurrection. I'll have to look into it more. However, D&C 128:18 states the absolute necessity of these proxy baptisms before the first resurrection and Second Coming: "It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time."

I think all the work that needs to be done that couldn't be performed by us, could possibly be performed by one-mighty-and-strong type. We'll see. Regardless, you can hear the angst from Joseph Smith about the Saints doing as much proxy baptism as they are inspired to do and the importance of it.

Words of Joseph Smith:

But what is the object of this important mission or how is it to be fulfilled, The keys are to be deliverd5 the spirit of Elijah is to Come, The gospel to be esstablished the Saints of God gatherd Zion built up, & the Saints6 to Come up as Saviors on mount Zion7 but how are they to become Saviors on Mount Zion by building thair temples erecting their Baptismal fonts & going forth & receiving all the ordinances, Baptisms, Confirmations, washings anointings ordinations & sealing powers8 upon our heads in behalf of all9 our Progenitors who are dead & redeem them that they may Come forth in the first resurrection & be exhalted to thrones of glory with us, & here in is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the Children, & the Children to the Fathers which fulfills the mission of Elijah & I would to God that this temple was now done that we might go into it & go to work & improve our time & make use of the seals10 while they are on earth &-the Saints have none to much time to save & redeem their dead, & gather together their living relatives that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten & the Consumption decreed falls upon the world11 & I would advise all the Saints to go to with their might & gather together all their living relatives to this place that they may be sealed & saved that they may be prepared against the day that the destroying angel goes forth & if the whole Church should go to with all their might to save their dead seal their posterity & gather their living friends & spend none of their time in behalf of the world they would hardly get through before night would Come when no man Could work12 & my ownly trouble at the present time is concerning ourselves that the Saints will be divided & broken up & scattered before we get our Salvation13 Secure for thei[r] is so many fools in the world for the devil to operate upon it gives him the advantage often times, The question is frequently asked Can we not be saved without going through with all thes ordinances &c141 would answer No not the fulness of Salvation, Jesus said their was many mansions in his fathers house & he would go & prepare a place for them.15 House here named should have been translated (Kingdom)16 & any person who is exhalted to the highest mansion has to abide a Celestial law & the whole law to[o]

[Zowieink]

Sarah, sorry I don't get on the forum much any more. I work with the temple department, physical facilities, and historic department (in regards to historic buildings). Certain temples are considered as "Millennial". Many will be desecrated, destroyed, etc. and although the land is still sacred ground, the temple will need to be rebuilt or majorly repaired to be useable.

Millennial temples will weather the storm, although they too may need some repairs, but they shall stand through the mess. I questioned the term "Millennial Temple" when the Mesa Temple had Elder Costa from SLC down for a review of the building. The above is what was related to me from the temple president later that same day.

[Zowieink]

Also, in regards to the actual work in the temples. I have heard that the millennium is for the other 6 dispensations, first, then those of our dispensation whose family members never did the work but were members of the Church. Can anyone verify/discount this with doctrine?

[Sunain]

Also, in regards to the actual work in the temples. I have heard that the millennium is for the other 6 dispensations, first, then those of our dispensation whose family members never did the work but were members of the Church. Can anyone verify/discount this with doctrine?

Living members always have priority. It will probably take us most of the Millennium to complete the temple work for everyone including the previous 6 dispensations. There will be many that have their work already done from temples from their time that we don't have records for but they do in heaven.