D&C 128

As the Prophet writes concerning the work and salvation of the dead, after quoting Malachi 4:5-6, he says -

"...It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject?  It is the baptism for the dead.  For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect.  Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:18)

I was struck this morning that these words are more addressed to a welding link between the fathers and the children.  In other words, it is not all about temple work but family history and temple work of our own ancestors.