Knowing that all people who have been born on this earth need baptism to fulfill as a first step for entering the Kingdom of God, those who possess the knowledge and power to complete the ordinance work of ancestors have an enormous task. Joseph Smith taught “The Saints have not too much time to save and redeem their dead, and gather together their living relatives, that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten, and the consumption decreed falls upon the world.” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith chapter 41, page 474
Saviors On Mount Zion
In verse 21 of his writings, the prophet Obediah promised “And saviors shall come up on mount Zion…” Starting with Joseph Smith and continuing with all the Latter-day prophets, all of them have taught the necessity of holy temples and the ordinance work being completed for those on earth now and those who have passed into the Spirit world.
Temples Dotting the Earth
When I joined the Church in 1974 and read about temples dotting the earth, the prediction seemed to describe the Millenium. Watching the construction haste of temples, the prophets are using all the means they can produce to ensure the saviors on Mount Zion have the means to help save their ancestors before the “consumption decreed falls upon the world”.
We Will Have Enough Time If .
Joseph Smith also described what must happen for us to succeed in fulfilling our call to be saviors on Mount Zion. “I would advise all the Saints to go to with their might and gather together all their living relatives to [the temple], that they may be sealed and saved, that they may be prepared against the day that the destroying angel goes forth; and if the whole Church should go to with all their might to save their dead, seal their posterity, and gather their living friends, and spend none of their time in behalf of the world, they would hardly get through before night would come, when no man can work.” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith chapter 41, page 474
Our Part
Temples are now closer to the people who attend them. During my early years in the Church we often traveled a days drive to attend the temple. In more remote parts to the earth, members were fortunate to make one trip to the temple during their lifetime. Even with the amoount of temple work completed each week, the quantity of work remaining seems out of reach to accomplish within several decades. Fortunately, God knows how long we have and is instructing the prophets accordingly. The means to accomplish the work exists and will increase. As a people, we must “go with our might”.