Temple moments: 'Blessed is he'
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"Blessed is he who is first baptized for the dead in this dispensation," said the Prophet Joseph Smith following the dedication of the baptismal font in the Nauvoo Temple on Nov. 8, 1841.
This was a rich moment in Church history, a milestone in redemption for the dead with the first vicarious work performed within the walls of a temple. Baptisms for the dead had occurred earlier in a river, but the Church leader now emphasized the sacredness of the work suited it for temples.
Following the Prophet's statement, Reuben McBride who, a few months earlier had been called as a counselor to the bishop of Kirtland, was baptized for his kindred dead, as he explained in a letter written in 1856 to his sister Martha McBride Knight on "the subject of greatest importance."
"The first work that I done for our dead relatives was done in Nauvoo. I think in the fall of [18]42 (sic) but you know for you was there. Bro. Joseph Smith . . . had the font in the temple filled with water from the wells. He said he wished me to be baptized in the font before I went back to Ohio. We met[;] Joseph spoke and the font was dedicated. . . .
"Brigham Young baptized me. I was baptized six times. Joseph took off his mantle and wrapped it around me took me in his carriage and drove to your house. . . ."
Faithful Brother McBride, one of the volunteers who took part in the arduous and dangerous Zion's Camp in 1834, was called as president of Kirtland in 1844, after Kirtland had been vacated by Church members. As such, he was responsible for the temple in a very difficult time.
After migrating west with the pioneers, he settled in Fillmore, Utah, where he served on the high council. He died Feb. 26, 1891, living long enough to see work for the dead resumed in the St. George Temple, which was dedicated in 1877.
— Submitted by Stanley W. Belnap, Fort Apache Ward, Las Vegas Nevada Lakes Stake
