[Footnote K: Ibid.]

Again the Prophet says:

Baptism for the dead is the only way that men can appear
as saviors upon Mount Zion. The proclamation of the first principles
of the gospel was a means of salvation to man individually,
but men, by actively engaging in rites of salvation substitutionally,
become instrumental in bringing multitudes of their
kin into the kingdom of God. * * * This doctrine appears
glorious inasmuch as it exhibits the greatness of divine compassion
and benevolence in the extent of the plan of human salvation.
This glorious truth is well calculated to enlarge the understanding,
and to sustain the soul under troubles, difficulties,
and distresses. * * * This doctrine presents in a clear light
the wisdom and mercy of God, in preparing and ordinance for the
salvation of the dead, being baptized by proxy, their names recorded
in heaven, and they judged according to the deeds done
in the body. This doctrine was the burden of the scriptures.
Those Saints who neglected it, in behalf of their deceased relatives,
do it at the peril of their own salvation.[L]

[Footnote L: Times and Seasons 2:545-6.]

The reason our own salvation stands in jeopardy is because it is necessary that the parents and children not only receive the ordinance of baptism, but they must be joined together from generation to generation. It is necessary for us to go into the temples, be baptized, confirmed, and receive all the ordinances for our dead, just as we receive them for ourselves.[M]

[Footnote M: History of the Church, May 12, 1844.]

It is sufficient to know that the earth will be smitten with
a curse, unless there is a welding link of some kind or other,
between the fathers and the children upon some subject or other,
and behold what is that subject? 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 and not only this but those things which never have
been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been
kept hid from the wise and prudent shall be revealed unto babes
and sucklings in this dispensation of the fulness of times.[N]

[Footnote N: Doc. & Cov. 128:18.]

Again, quoting from the prophet:

The Bible says, I will send you Elijah the prophet before
the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he
shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the
hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the
earth with a curse.

Now, the word turn here should be translated bind or seal.
But what is the object of this important mission? or how is it to
be fulfilled? The keys are to be delivered, the spirit of Elijah
is to come, the gospel to be established, the Saints of God to be
gathered, Zion built up, and the Saints to come up as saviors on
Mount Zion.

But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By
building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going
forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations,
washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their
heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem
them that they may come forth in the first resurrection
and be exalted to thrones of glory with them, and herein is the
chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and
children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah. And
I would that this temple were now done, that we might go into
it, and go to work and improve our time, and make use of the
seals while they are on earth.

The Saints have not too much time to save and redeem their
dead, and gather together their living relatives, that they may be
saved also, before the earth wil be smitten, and the consummation
decreed falls upon the world.[O]