Phebe Woodruff writes to Wilford about Joseph preaching baptism for the dead (1840).
Phebe Woodruff, letter, Lee County, Iowa, to Wilford Woodruff, Manchester, England, 1840 October 6, Church History Library, MS 19509
Now a few words from brother Joseph sermon on the living's being baptized for the dead that they may be judged according to men in the flesh; he has learned by revelation that those in this church may be baptized for any of their relatives who are dead and had not privalege privaledge of hearing it this gospel even for their children, parents, bothers, sisters grand parents, uncles & aunts, - but not for acquaintances unless they send a ministering spirit to their friends on earth, - as soon as they are baptized for their friends they are released from prison and they can claim them in the resurrection and bring them into the celestial kingdom - this doctrine is cordially received by the church. . . .