Do I need to do temple work for my babies who died shortly after birth?

Question

Gramps,

I gave birth to twin babies 3 years ago. They were both born alive but lived for less than two hours before returning to their Heavenly Father. Please help me understand whether or not I need to do temple work for them.  Baptisms?  Endowments? I’ve asked others and have  received different answers. Please help.
Thank you,

Brooke

Answer

Dear Brooke,

I will never be able to understand the pain which comes from being a mother who loses her precious child, let alone two, after such a short time on earth or any length of time, for that matter. There are no words that could possibly help the human mind comprehend the grief and sadness but the Lord does understand and He is, and should be, the source of comfort.

The knowledge we have obtained from reading scriptures is that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love their children and not only that, more so their littlest ones.

Let’s review what The Lord, through his servants, has said about baptizing little children:

Moroni 8:10-21

10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.

 

11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.

 

12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!

 

13 Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell.

 

14 Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell.

 

15 For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.

 

16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

 

17 And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation.

 

18 For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.

 

19 Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy.

 

20 And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption.

 

21 Wo unto such, for they are in danger of death, hell, and an endless torment. I speak it boldly; God hath commanded me. Listen unto them and give heed, or they stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ.

So, we this we should know that Heavenly Father has reserved his Kingdom for little children. The atonement covers all children whom have died before the age of accountability (which we know it to be 8 years old) and therefore need not be baptized.

Here is a quote which may help us get some comfort in knowing there is a plan for these children and it seems to be a great plan:

“Some worry because departed children have apparently lost the privilege of courtship, marriage, and other opportunities. But revelations concerning the spirit world assure us that normal relationships leading to eternal sealings are an ongoing part of that life. Elder Melvin J. Ballard observed:

 

“You mothers worry about your little children [who have died]. We do not perform sealings for them. I lost a son six years of age, and I saw him a man in the spirit world after his death, and I saw how he had exercised his own freedom of choice and would obtain of his own will and volition a companion, and in due time to him, and all those who are worthy of it, shall come all of the blessings and sealing privileges of the house of the Lord. Do not worry over it. They are safe; they are all right.

 

“Now, then, what is the status of your daughters who have died and have not been sealed to some man? … The sealing power shall be forever and ever with this Church, and provisions will be made for them. We cannot run faster than the Lord has provided the way. Their blessings and privileges will come to them in due time. In the meantime, they are safe.” (Bryant S. Hinckley, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard, Deseret Book Company, 1949, p. 260.)

So, to summarize the answer to your question: no! they need not be baptized nor confirmed, nor temple work of any kind needs to be done for them.

The only scenario where there might be some work needed is if you and your husband were not sealed prior to their birth. Then, they may be sealed to you and your husband at your bishop’s discretion and/or approval (he’d have to determine your temple worthiness and such for anyone entering the temple).

My thoughts are with you and know your Heavenly Father is very much aware and mindful of your little ones.

With Love,

Gramps