Baptisms for the Dead

...For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers- that they without us cannot be made perfect-neither can we without our dead be made perfect.

-Doctrine & Covenants 128:15

This is one of my favorite scriptures that really testifies how important it is for us to attend the temple as often as possible. I know that anyone who hasn't been baptized and confirmed, sealed to their family, recieved their endowments, or recieved the Melchizedek Priesthood (If able)will not be able to recieve eternal life. That is why it is essential for our ancestors who have passed on to have us represent them in the temple and do these ordinances in their behalf. For without us they cannot be made perfect in the sight of the Lord. I know that our regular attendence at the temple is important for our salvation as well. When we enter the temple and put on our white temple clothes, we are promising to leave behind our troubles and become pure like unto our garments. The temple is one of the only places that the devil's influence cannot enter. The spirit is so over whelming that you are on the verge of tears as you sit and ponder how many people gave all that they had to join the church and travel westward to start the Lord's work in what we know as Salt Lake City today. And to think how blessed we are to have a temple only five miles away from our homes. So many members of the church in other countries have to save money their whole lives just to attend the temple once. Some never get the oppurtunity. Going to the temple is our chance to read the scriptures and pray to Heavenly Father without distractions. I know that the temple is the Lord's holy house and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.