A Just and Fair God

Today I read Doctrine and Covenants section 137 which was a vision that Joseph Smith was given of the Celestial Kingdom and how those who are not permitted to have a chance to hear the gospel and participate in the saving ordinances in this life. I used to wonder why if you were dead and you had the gospel preached to you why you didn't accept it then since you were dead. But that was before I truly understood that after death, we still have the veil and all we know that we didn't know before is that we are dead and we are still around, so I can understand why some people still don't accept the gospel after death.

One of the things I have always loved about the gospel is it has always had all the answers to whatever question you can think of. I have heard from so many converts who used to attend other churches, including Joseph Smith and my own father for that matter, that other churches just are unable to answer certain questions, or their answers don't make sense if they have an answer at all. For example the question of children and what happens to them if they die before they are of an age to be baptized, I find other religions answer to that question completely unsatisfactory and totally in-congruent with what I know of God's nature.

A correct knowledge of God and His character is essential according to Joseph Smith and God is above everything else a just God. So what sense does it make that people who didn't have a fair chance to hear the gospel to be damned forever? It especially does not make sense for children who aren't even old enough to be baptized to have no chance at salvation. When we understand this train of thought it makes a lot more sense why we cannot be saved without our dead.

It is a wonderful reassurance that the Lord will not condemn any man or woman or child in ignorance. All will have an opportunity to hear and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All will be given the chance to hear it and understand it and reject it before the judgment. Such is the only fair way for all mankind to be judged. I am very grateful that I was born into the covenant and did not have to search out the gospel on my own and am extremely grateful for a just God that will give all mankind a fair chance to be saved. To imagine anything else would only drive a person insane. Until tomorrow.