“For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth ... For this ordinance belongeth to my house,” — Doctrine and Covenants 124¹

In January 1841, Joseph Smith received a revelation that baptisms for the dead were to be performed in temples, since "this ordinance belongeth to my house."¹ He instructed the Saints to complete the Nauvoo Temple for this purpose. During the October 1841 conference, Joseph announced that, in conformance with the revelation, no further baptisms for the dead would be authorized until the temple's baptismal font was complete. By November 1841, the Saints installed a hand-carved wooden font in the temple basement, which was dedicated so that baptisms for the dead could continue, despite the temple not yet being finished.²

1. Doctrine and Covenants 124 verses 29-30

2. "Baptism for the Dead," churchofjesuschrist.org