Mormon Baptism and Second Chances for Salvation

It is common knowledge that Mormons baptize their members on behalf of the dead. In fact, they keep a gigantic genealogical library so that they can find the names of the dead to use in their proxy baptisms. They base this practice on their tenuous interpretation of one verse, I Corinthians 15:29. By these proxy baptisms, Mormons believe, they give dead non-Mormons a second chance to convert to Mormonism. To Christians, Mormons express their belief that it is unfair of God to judge people who may never have had an opportunity to hear about Jesus (ignoring what the Bible says in Romans 1:18-22).

I deny their assertion that there are second chances after death, because the Bible says, "It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). Also, Jesus tells us that the one who refuses to believe is under judgment now, in this life: "Whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God" (John 3:18).

Moreover, Luke tells us this story from Jesus: "He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, 'Lord, will those who are saved be few?' And He said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us, then he will answer you, I do not know where you come from. Then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets. But he will say, I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil! In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last'" (Luke 13:22-30).

In this parable, Jesus describes the master of a house, representing Himself, who has closed and locked his door for the night. But latecoming visitors come knocking at his door, asking to be admitted. No, he answers, and those latecomers, whom he calls "workers of evil," are left in a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, a phrase used for Hell in the Synoptic Gospels.

Could Jesus have been any clearer? He urges His audience to enter the Kingdom now, because later the gate will be locked against them. They will have no second chances. These Mormon baptisms for the dead are a ritual, not only with no biblical warrant, but actually contrary to the teaching of Scripture. It is a deception, both to the Mormons themselves and to all those whom they give a false hope.