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The 12 oxen represent the 12 tribes of Israel. The chair and table on the left is where the recorder sits.
I believe the Mormon belief in baptism for the dead is one of the most misunderstood practices today. Part of this stems from the fact that it takes place behind temple doors and non-members aren't allowed to witness it. This in turn causes rumors as to what really goes on. I've had people actually ask me why Mormons dig up corpses, drag them to a temple, and baptize them! The reality is interesting, but not as macabre.
To be eligible to enter the Temple you have to go through an interview with a local authority, called a bishop. The bishop will ask a series of questions to determine your worthiness. If he feels you're worthy, you will be issued a temple recommend card. This must be shown at the entrance of any temple to gain entry.
Young adults are frequently used for this ordinance. Anyone who is worthy can do this, but I think the youth is used to give them a taste of being in a temple. Since I was still young (12 - 16), I was only allowed to go into rooms of the temple which pertained to baptism.
After arriving, we went to a locker room to change. I was dressed in plain white clothing, and barefoot. We were ushered into a room and sat in bleacher-type seats, higher than and overlooking the baptismal font.
There we waited until our names were called. When it was my turn I walked up the steps, past the recorder and into the water. A man also dressed in white was waiting for me. The recorder had a list of names ranging from 20 - 50 in number. This list was placed on a projection machine and reflected up on the back wall. A piece of paper was placed on the list so only my name and the name of the person being baptized was be visible.
I then placed my right arm in front of my body, elbow to the ground and grabbed my wrist with the left hand. This served 2 purposes, I could pinch my nose shut with my fingers and it also gave the person baptizing a way of pushing and pulling me in the water.
Both of us looked at the wall and the baptizing person said "Brother, having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you, for and in behalf of (person on the list), who is dead, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
At this point I was lowered completely into the water and quickly brought back up. This took about 8 - 10 seconds. Then the process was repeated for the next name and so on until the list was completed. I learned breath control during this time! As I'm remembering this, another reason young people are used is probably due to weight. They're easier to lift out of the water.
When this was done I left the water and was escorted into another room. This is called the 'confirmation room' and is the place where the baptized names will receive the Holy Ghost.
A man sat on a high stool with a chair in front of him. I sat in this chair with my back to him. He placed both hands on my head accompanied by a man on both sides of me. The man on the stool said "Brother, in the name of Jesus Christ, we lay our hands upon your head for and in behalf of (person being baptized), who is dead, and confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and say unto you: Receive the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Immediately after saying this, all three men lifted their hands off my head about 1 inch and quickly replaced them. Then the process was repeated until all the names were done.
I then went to take a shower and change back into my clothes.
That's it. No digging up bodies, no sex orgies (I've been accused of this as well!)