Ordinances for people born in the last 110 years
I have a letter from a deceased member who joined the church at 85 years of age and was not able, due to health concerns, to go to the Temple before she passed away three years later. While she was alive she was able to arrange for her deceased husband and son to have their temple endowments done. Her one wish was to be sealed to them along with two other children who had died before the age of eight and to be sealed to her parents who have also had their work completed. She signed a letter to this effect and I promised her that I would do this for her. She also made these wishes known to our Branch President who is a very, very distant relative. Now I find that I am unable to reserve these ordinances because I am not a blood relative, even though I have a letter signed by her asking that this work be done. She has living children but they are quite anti church.
Answers
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Hi Shore Norma,
You can do ordinances for a deceased person who was born within the last 110 years. But you must meet certain requirements:
Permission granted by a deceased person before death does not qualify. Permission must come from a close living relative.
Here is an example of how to approach family members who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to request permission:
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am seeking your permission to submit [person's name] to the temple. In the temple, we perform sacred ordinances for our loved ones who have passed away. It would be my gift to [him or her], and I would be honored. I will respect whatever you say and will hold no hard feelings if you decline.
Consider and respect the wishes of close living relatives, especially a living spouse, and accept the answer you receive.
Here is a link to the article this information came from for further information.
Do I need permission from the closest living relative to do temple ordinances?
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