Doctrine and Covenants 127:5

Elder W. Grant Bangerter:

“May we always remember that we perform the temple ordinances for people and not for names. Those we call ‘the dead’ are alive in the spirit and are present in the temple” (“What Temples Are For,” Ensign,May 1982, 72).

Doctrine and Covenants 128:6–7

President Boyd K. Packer:

“Ordinances and covenants become our credentials for admission into [God’s] presence” (“Covenants,” Ensign, May 1987, 24).

Doctrine and Covenants 128:15

The Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Those Saints who neglect [the doctrine of salvation for the dead] in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith[2007], 471–72).

Elder Richard G. Scott:

“Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As you grow older, you will be able to participate in receiving the other ordinances as well. I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life” (“The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Ensignor Liahona, Nov. 2012, 94).

Doctrine and Covenants 128:18

President Joseph Fielding Smith:

“There must be a family organization, a family unit, and each generation must be linked to the chain that goes before in order to bring perfection in family organization. Thus eventually we will be one large family with Adam at the head, Michael, the archangel, presiding over his posterity” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:175).

“If there is not a welding link between the fathers and the children—which is the work for the dead—then we will all stand rejected; the whole work of God will fail and be utterly wasted” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:122).

Doctrine and Covenants 128:20–21

President John Taylor:

“The principles which [Joseph Smith] had placed him in communication with the Lord, and not only with the Lord, but with the ancient apostles and prophets; such men, for instance, as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, Adam, Seth, Enoch, and Jesus, and the Father, and the apostles that lived on this continent, as well as those who lived on the Asiatic continent. He seemed to be as familiar with these people as we are with one another. Why? Because he had to introduce a dispensation which was called the dispensation of the fulness of times, and it was known as such by the ancient servants of God” (The Gospel Kingdom [1987], 353.)

Doctrine and Covenants 128:24

Elder David A. Bednar:

“Many of you may think family history work is to be performed primarily by older people. But I know of no age limit described in the scriptures or guidelines announced by Church leaders restricting this important service. …

“It is no coincidence that … tools have come forth at a time when young people are so familiar with a wide range of information and communication technologies. … The skills and aptitude evident among many young people today are a preparation to contribute to the work of salvation.

“… I encourage you to study, to search out your ancestors, and to prepare yourselves to perform proxy baptisms in the house of the Lord for your kindred dead. … And I urge you to help other people identify their family histories” (“The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 26).

Elder Richard G. Scott:

“Temple and family history work is one work divided into two parts. …

“President Howard W. Hunter taught:

“‘We must accomplish the priesthood temple ordinance work necessary for our own exaltation; then we must do the necessary work for those who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in life. Doing work for others is accomplished in two steps: first, by family history research to ascertain our progenitors; and second, by performing the temple ordinances to give them the same opportunities afforded to the living. …

“‘I have learned that those who engage in family history research and then perform the temple ordinance work for those whose names they have found will know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing’ [“A Temple-Motivated People,” Ensign, Feb. 1995, 4–5].

“Father in Heaven wants each of us to receive both parts of the blessing of this vital vicarious work. …

“Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received. The First Presidency has declared, ‘Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors’ [First Presidency letter, Feb. 29, 2012; emphasis added]” (“The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 93–94).