BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD
Hugo McCord
"The ordinance of baptizing for the dead ... was instituted from before the foundation of the world" (DOCTRINE & COVENANTS, Reorganized, sec. 107).
Proxy baptism is one interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:29. But any interpretation that contradicts other Bible passages cannot be correct. Other Bible passages show that every human being is responsible for himself: "EACH ONE OF US SHALL GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF TO GOD" (Romans 14:12); "ALL OF US MUST APPEAR BEFORE CHRIST’S JUDGMENT SEAT, THAT EACH ONE MAY RECEIVE THE THINGS HE DID IN THE BODY, WHETHER GOOD OR BAD" (2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore, parents or friends cannot believe for those they love, nor repent for them, nor confess Jesus’ name for them, nor be baptized for them.
If proxy baptism is proper, the fastest way to convert sinners is not to teach them, but simply get into a baptistery and have yourself be baptized over and over, day and night.
The BOOK OF MORMON teaches against baptism for the dead:
Behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. ... Therefore I beseech of you, that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life then cometh the night of darkness, where there can be no labor performed. ... Behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of repentance, even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked ("Book of Alma" 34:32-35).