Jonathan and his Granfather Louis Abraham Boressposing together at our wedding. He said he never thought
he'd live to see his grandchildren get married so this
was very meaningful for him.
I have a sincere love for the work that is done for our ancestors. I honor my ancestors by giving them the opportunity to be 'heir['s] of eternal life'. Next month marks Jonathan's grandfather's 1 year anniversary of his death. We get the privilege of entering the waters of baptism on his behalf. My father will be baptizing Jonathan on behalf of Luis Abraham Boress, just as my father baptized Jonathan almost 5 years ago.
**I highlighted my favorite part about this article.
The Phenomenon That Is YouWe would like to share the following teachings of President James E. Faust. This passage is from “The Phenomenon That Is You” (Ensign, Nov. 2003, 53–56).
The great work of providing the saving ordinances for our kindred dead is a vital part of the threefold mission of the Church. We do this work for a purpose, which is to redeem our dead ancestors. Temple work is essential for both us and our kindred dead who are waiting for these saving ordinances to be done for them. It is essential because “we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect” (D&C 128:18). They need the saving ordinances, and we need to be sealed to them. For this reason it is important that we trace our family lines so that no one is left out.
Searching for our kindred dead isn’t just a hobby. It is a fundamental responsibility for all members of the Church. We believe that life continues after death and that all will be resurrected (see Acts 24:15; Alma 11:41-45). We believe that families may continue in the next life if they have kept the special covenants made in one of the sacred temples under the authority of God. We believe that our deceased ancestors can also be eternally united with their families when we make covenants in their behalf in the temples. Our deceased forebears may accept these covenants, if they choose to do so, in the spirit world.
The great vicarious work for our kindred dead in our temples demonstrates both the justice and the fairness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Prophet Joseph Smith explained the terrible dilemma which would face God’s children without temple work for our dead. Said he: “One dies and is buried, having never heard the Gospel of reconciliation; to the other the message of salvation is sent, he hears and embraces it, and is made the heir of eternal life. Shall the one become the partaker of glory and the other be consigned to hopeless perdition? Is there no chance for his escape?” (History of the Church, 4:425–26). Fortunately our ancestors will have the opportunity to receive and accept the saving ordinances as we identify them and complete these sacred ordinances for them by proxy. We do for them what they cannot do for themselves. It is a very satisfying experience (pp. 54–55).
