1. Baptism of the Dead
in the Mormon Church
Anne-Alyce Edinger
Anthropology of Religion
Professor Delane Mechling

2. Baptism in the Mormon Church
Mormons follow the usual practice of baptism as a ritual cleansing.
Children are baptized at the age of eight by a lay member of the
church who is a member of the priesthood or by the child’s father.

3. Heaven is the Goal
Mormons, like mainstream Christians, believe that if someone
dies without having a proper baptism then they will not go to
heaven.

4. Baptism by Proxy
Mormons are unusual – perhaps unique – in that they also practice
baptism by proxy for deceased individuals. These are the names of well-
known people the Mormons have baptized: Ted Bundy, Adolf Hitler, Lee
Harvey Oswald, Jeffrey Dahlmer, and Anne Frank.

5. Inviting Controversy
Since Mormons are concerned about all souls, they will take it upon
themselves to baptize any person of any faith or religion. There is no process
for obtaining “permission” from loved ones to do this.

6. The “Lost (but Restored) Ordinance”
Mormons believe the Bible includes a sacred ordinance that gives them
the authority to baptize the dead.

7. It’s a Secret . . .
Baptisms by Proxy are secret rituals.

8. Church Members Only!
Only people affiliated with the Mormon faith are allowed to
witness this ritual.

9. Full Immersion Baptism
Baptism of the Dead is full immersion baptism, which symbolizes being buried
and resurrected with Jesus. It takes place in the Temple.

10. The process involves a priest baptizing a living person who is there on behalf of the person who is
deceased. The person being baptized is dressed in a white robe. The priest baptizes the proxy, while
saying the name of the deceased. Hands are laid upon the person’s head, and words are spoken which
confer the “Gift of the Holy Ghost.”
The Ritual

11. The priest will baptize the individual by relying on the words of their sacred text:
"Because all on the earth do not have the opportunity to accept the gospel during mortality,
the Lord has authorized baptisms performed by proxy for the dead. Therefore, those who
accept the gospel in the spirit world may qualify for entrance into God's kingdom.”
The Sacred Text