Why did we baptize Hitler

LDSChristian · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 03:42 PM

I saw this and was surprised. Is it because the church believes everyone deserves a second chance, even some of the worst people like Hitler?

mrmarklin · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 03:46 PM

Well..............Hitler did have relatives. I admit it's a little shocking!

Jenamarie · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 03:51 PM

Thankfully the determination of who is and isn't worthy of recieving Eternal blessings isn't left in the hands of men. From my understanding, we baptize *everyone* whose records are submitted, and leave the judging up to God.

pam · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 03:55 PM

Thank you Jenamarie. You beat me to it.

LDS_Guy_1986 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDSChristian

I saw this and was surprised. Is it because the church believes everyone deserves a second chance, even some of the worst people like Hitler?

All who never heard the fullness of the gospel in this life can potentially inherit the celestial kingdom if they accept the gospel in the spirit world. We have no clue about Adolf Hitlers eternal state, I would assume that his actions would send him to the Telestial Kingdom after judgment regardless of anything he does in the spirit world, but that is my opinion.

If he is repentant and accepts the Gospel in the spirit world then who knows, that is between Hitler and Jesus. The important thing is that he is also a spirit child of God and we are told to baptize our dead, not just the dead we like.

If Hitler was to receive salvation in the spirit world it would be held against us if we didn't perform his ordinances!

LDSChristian · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenamarie

Thankfully the determination of who is and isn't worthy of recieving Eternal blessings isn't left in the hands of men. From my understanding, we baptize *everyone* whose records are submitted, and leave the judging up to God.

Yea I always thought baptism for the dead was similar to missionary work. You teach to others and they choose to or not to accept the gospel. We baptize for the dead and they choose to accept it or not accept it. I agree with what you said, it's up to God with who enters the kingdom of God but I do think it's good to baptize people even though it sounds questionable such as with Hitler. As far as we know, considering how merciful God is, Hitler could at least go to the Terrestrial Kingdom so who knows.

Ezequiel · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 03:57 PM

Not only that, but just because his work was done, it doesn't mean he gets to exaltation free from responsibility. He still needs to repent of his sins, and accept the ordinances that were made in the temple in his behalf. So really, he still has a long way to go. Fortunately, God is the Judge.

LDSChristian · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDS_Guy_1986

All who never heard the fullness of the gospel in this life can potentially receive it in the next. We have no clue about Adolf Hitlers eternal state, I would assume that his actions would send him to the Telestial Kingdom after judgment regardless but that is my opinion.

If he is repentant and accepts the Gospel in the spirit world who knows. The important thing is that he is also a spirit child of God and we are told to baptize our dead.

If Hitler was to receive salvation in the spirit world it would be held against us if we didn't perform his ordinances!

True. I do wonder which is worse: killing so many people like Hitler did or denying Christ 3 times like Peter did.

MarginOfError · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 04:12 PM

If were going to delve into theoreticals, it's possible that Hitler could be deemed so insane that he was not accountable for his actions, in which case he could be eligible for exaltation. I don't know, don't care, and don't believe one way or the other.

Seminarysnoozer · #10 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDSChristian

Yea I always thought baptism for the dead was similar to missionary work. You teach to others and they choose to or not to accept the gospel. We baptize for the dead and they choose to accept it or not accept it. I agree with what you said, it's up to God with who enters the kingdom of God but I do think it's good to baptize people even though it sounds questionable such as with Hitler. As far as we know, considering how merciful God is, Hitler could at least go to the Terrestrial Kingdom so who knows.

I agree. I think those that do the missionary work will sometimes have to stand as a witness to having given the person on opportunity to accept the gospel, and that they really did slam the door in their faces. Likewise, I think there are some that will stand witness that their work was done for the dead and so the opportunity to receive that ordinance was officially offered by someone still under the authority of that given law.