504 Temple Baptismal Font

John 3:5; D&C 124:2930
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5


Baptism is an ordinance commanded by Heavenly Father for the salvation of all His children. As we participate in this ordinance, we make a sacred covenant that acts as a gate leading to eternal life: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

Our Father in Heaven established the way this sacred ordinance could be performed for those who died without having the opportunity to hear the gospel and be baptized. Each temple has a baptismal font, and worthy Church members are baptized in the name of people who died without receiving this ordinance (see D&C 124:2930). Afterward, each individual, again represented by a faithful member, is confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is given the Holy Ghost. For all who choose to accept them, these ordinances then become as valid as those that are performed for the living.

Modern-day temple fonts are patterned after the brazen sea in the Temple of Solomon. The sea sat in the outer court of the temple and was used by the priests to wash themselves before they performed sacrifices at the altar. It rested on the backs of twelve oxen, which represented the twelve tribes of Israel.

Summary
Heavenly Father has commanded that all His children should be baptized. Some people who lived on this earth never had the opportunity to hear the gospel and be baptized. For this reason, each temple that has been built in the latter days has a baptismal font, where all worthy members age 12 and older can be baptized for people who died without receiving this ordinance. Each of these temple fonts sits on the backs of twelve oxen, which represent the twelve tribes of Israel.

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