Editing Molten Sea (section)

==Latter-Day Saint interpretation==
[[Image:Salt Lake temple baptismal font.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Baptismal font in the [[Salt Lake Temple]], circa 1912, where baptisms for the dead are performed.]]
Members of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) believe that the molten sea in Solomon's Temple was a [[baptismal font]]. As explained by [[apostle (Latter Day Saints)|church leader]] [[Bruce R. McConkie]]:

<blockquote>In Solomon's Temple a large molten sea of brass was placed on the backs of 12 brazen oxen, these oxen being symbolical of the 12 tribes of Israel. This brazen sea was used for performing baptisms for the living. There were no baptisms for the dead until after the resurrection of Christ.<p>

It must be remembered that all direct and plain references to baptism have been deleted from the Old Testament ([[First Book of Nephi|1 Nephi]] 13) and that the word ''baptize'' is of Greek origin. Some equivalent word, such as ''wash'', would have been used by the Hebrew peoples. In describing the molten sea the Old Testament record says, ''"The sea was for the priests to wash in."'' ({{Bibleverse|2 Chron|4:2–6|KJV}}). This is tantamount to saying that the priests performed baptisms in it.<ref>[[Bruce R. McConkie]] (1966, 2d ed.) ''[[Mormon Doctrine (book)|Mormon Doctrine]]'' (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft) pp. 103–104. See also [[Church Educational System]] (2003, 3d ed.) [https://si.lds.org/bc/seminary/content/library/manuals/institute-student/old-testament-student-manual-1-kings-malachi_eng.pdf ''Old Testament Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi''] (Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) §1-32, p. 6.</ref></p></blockquote>

Every [[temple (LDS Church)|temple]] of the LDS Church contains a baptismal font on twelve oxen which is modeled after the molten sea. The Church performs [[baptism for the dead|baptisms for the dead]] in these fonts.