JAHS Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 We do temple work for the dead which helps them in their salvation. Should we pray for our loved ones who have passed on? Does it help them in any way or is it only something that helps the living remember them?
Popular Post JLHPROF Posted March 10, 2016 Popular Post Posted March 10, 2016 2 minutes ago, JAHS said: . Should we pray for our loved ones who have passed on? I don't see why not. I am sure they are praying for us. 5
halconero Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 (edited) Sure. I did last night in fact after doing a late-night session at the Calgary temple for my 3rd Great-Grandpa, Price. I typically do the same for those I perform proxy ordinances, which is generally on behalf of family (I have the benefit of being the son of converts, with both sides of the family having maintained exceptionally detailed records going as far back as the 1600's...so taking names to the temple for the past couple years since I started doing family history work hasn't been an issue, and I suspect won't be at least for the next few years) unless I've been travelling and forgotten names or I end up doing more work in the temple on a particular day than I thought I would. Edited March 10, 2016 by halconero 3
Duncan Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 I pray rich great uncle Alfonso will show where he hid his stash of cash. 3
VideoGameJunkie Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 I pray that I can be reunited with them and for my best friend's dad who died who was like a father to me, I pray that he is being taught by my relatives in heaven about the gospel and that he can have his temple work done one day. 3
Traela Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 After my son died, we were told that it was entirely appropriate to pray for his continued progression. 3
Jeanne Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 34 minutes ago, Duncan said: I pray rich great uncle Alfonso will show where he hid his stash of cash. Somewhere in an old barn is my Great Aunt's "under the bed money"...still looking. 2
mfbukowski Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 26 minutes ago, Jeanne said: Somewhere in an old barn is my Great Aunt's "under the bed money"...still looking. Check under the bed.
mtomm Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 I'm pretty sure it has never occurred to me to do so but I have not had a lot of people close to me pass to the other side. 1
Jeanne Posted March 10, 2016 Posted March 10, 2016 2 minutes ago, mfbukowski said: Check under the bed. Bed no longer there...been diggin;
Ahab Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 2 hours ago, Jeanne said: Bed no longer there...been diggin; Been digging where the bed was? How deep is the hole now? Probably not there if it's a very deep hole. Try digging in a bank. Maybe somebody put the money in there.
Garden Girl Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 3 hours ago, JLHPROF said: I don't see why not. I am sure they are praying for us. Me too... and I pray regularly for my loved ones who have passed on... particularly my dear husband whose temple work has now been done, including our sealing... one aspect of my prayers is that my dear mom be allowed to know that her earthly prayers for me were not in vain, and that upon her sudden death, the Spirit whipped me around and I returned to the Church and have never looked back... GG 3
Jeanne Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 31 minutes ago, Ahab said: Been digging where the bed was? How deep is the hole now? Probably not there if it's a very deep hole. Try digging in a bank. Maybe somebody put the money in there. This lady would no more use a bank than the man in the moon...big hole now..a little to left and a little to the right..no shovel..it is in a huge jar!
Calm Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 Get one of those ground penetrating radar machines they use to find bodies.
JAHS Posted March 11, 2016 Author Posted March 11, 2016 I know some evangelical Christians claim that it does no good to pray for the dead because the dead sleep in the grave and have no consciousness until the resurrection. They base this belief on scriptures such as the following: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." (Eccl 9:5) This of course ignores the scriptures that tell us that there is a spirit world. (1 Pet. 3:18-20, 4:6)
Kenngo1969 Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 I hope the dead pray, or at least intercede, for me. From a certain perspective, given where most all of them are compared to where I am, I need more help than they do! (OK, tongue-in-cheek now off.) Joseph Smith said that it would be a great while after we entered the world of spirits before we would learn what we need to know in order to inherit our final reward. That implies continued learning and growth, so I suppose we could pray that they will learn the things they need to know and grow in the ways they need to to continue to progress. I suspect, though, that progression there is a bit of a different matter than it is here: less opposition (or at least, opposition that's different in kind). Not that my speculations and suspicions are any better than anyone else's. But there you have them.
The Nehor Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 1 hour ago, JAHS said: I know some evangelical Christians claim that it does no good to pray for the dead because the dead sleep in the grave and have no consciousness until the resurrection. They base this belief on scriptures such as the following: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." (Eccl 9:5) This of course ignores the scriptures that tell us that there is a spirit world. (1 Pet. 3:18-20, 4:6) That scripture in Ecclesiastes is written as if there is no God and what that looks like for man. Ecclesiastes is a dark nihilistic book. It is not instructing us on the nature of death.
deli_llama Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 I hope we pray for our ancestors, especially in gratitude. And the way I see it, if we love them and are grateful, then we would also desire the best for them. I am pretty sure they desire the best for us. There have been two occasions I have observed when our ancestors were mention as part of the prayer circle. Being so rare it stood out and has stayed with me. Also, concerning our ancestors praying for, or helping us. I kinda have to wonder, anytime one attends the temple as proxy for an ancestor, since it is a proxy situation, is not the person we stand as proxy for given the opportunity to participate in the temple prayer? In a strange way, it is our ancestor dead praying for the needs and concerns of those living in the mortal world. So, maybe they do pray for our well being there. We know that our ancestors, and I have used that as any that have passed on as well as direct ancestors, are allowed to participate in dreams and visions. Perhaps there is more they can do from there of which we aren't aware. Many eastern and indigenous cultures have a strong belief in recieving assistance from their ancestors, and my personal experience with such people only reinforces this possibility for me. 1
stemelbow Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 I pray for the dead and living--not sure it's doing anything beyond keeping me thoughtful of others though.
VideoGameJunkie Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 A 26 year old girl from my ward died this morning from liver failure, and our ward suggested we pray for the family. We'll also pray that we're happy she's no longer in pain. She's had liver problems since she was 12.
JAHS Posted March 11, 2016 Author Posted March 11, 2016 (edited) 18 hours ago, Garden Girl said: Me too... and I pray regularly for my loved ones who have passed on... particularly my dear husband whose temple work has now been done, including our sealing... one aspect of my prayers is that my dear mom be allowed to know that her earthly prayers for me were not in vain, and that upon her sudden death, the Spirit whipped me around and I returned to the Church and have never looked back... GG I can see someone praying that an ancestor will be taught the gospel in the next life and accept the temple work done for them. I have family members who have recently passed away (wife, mother) who I prayed for while they were alive, and now I can't imagine not including them in my prayers now. Edited March 11, 2016 by JAHS 2
boblloyd91 Posted March 12, 2016 Posted March 12, 2016 Praying for the dead has deep roots in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. There is also a reference to it in the book of Maccabees I believe
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