by Nolan Porter Olsen
This account describes a vision experienced by Elder Melvin J. Ballard (1873–1939), an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while he was present at a baptismal font during a session in which nearly a thousand proxy baptisms were being performed for the dead.
In the vision, Elder Ballard witnessed a large congregation of spirits assembled in the font room. As each name was baptized by proxy, one of those spirits was seen ascending a stairway — representing the spirit world’s joyful acceptance of the ordinance work being performed on their behalf.
The account affirms that temple and family history work is not merely a religious formality — it brings real and deeply felt blessings to those in the spirit world, who may accept or reject the gospel ordinances performed for them by the living.
Key Scripture: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” — 1 Corinthians 15:29
Source: Nolan Porter Olsen, “A Baptism Manifestation,” Logan Temple: The First 100 Years, 1978, pp. 168–169.
Elder [Melvin J.] Ballard sat at our baptismal font one Saturday while nearly a thousand baptisms were being performed for the dead. As he sat there, he contemplated on how great the temple ceremonies were, and how we are bringing special blessings to the living and the dead. His thoughts turned to the spirit world, and he wondered if the people there would accept the work we were doing for them. Brother Ballard said:
“All at once a vision opened to me, and I beheld a great congregation of people gathered in the east end of the font room. One by one, as each name was baptized for, one of these people climbed a stairway over the font to the west end of the room. Not one soul was missing, but there was a person for every one of the thousand names done that day.”
“Brother Ballard said that he had never seen such happy people in all his life, and the whole congregation rejoiced at what was being done for them.”
— Nolan Porter Olsen, “A Baptism Manifestation,” Logan Temple: The First 100 Years, 1978, pp. 168–169.