Question
Gramps,
I have been taught (and it is in the Book of Mormon too) that if members of the church fall away from the gospel they cannot inherit the Celestial kingdom even if they repent after this life. Is this true? If so, than aren’t we better off to not teach our children the gospel so that they can “accept” it after this life as opposed to teaching it them and having them fall away and dying before they repent stripping them of their chance at Celestial glory?? This pains my heart, I am very confused. Thanks for your time Gramps. You do a good thing for the world!
Melissa
Answer
Hi Melissa,
Surely the depth of love a parent has for their children is immeasurable. Because of that love, we must remember that our children also chose to come here and endure the pains and sorrows and challenges of mortal probation and have the opportunity to choose good or evil and let us not forget that they too came here knowing a Savior would be provided for them.
In D&C 68:25 parents are admonished:
” And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.”
It is indeed a sacred responsibility to teach our children the Gospel. How hurt might our children be if we as parents withheld this most precious and desirable gift that was within our power to offer?
There has been much discussion regarding repentance for the rebellious after they have passed from mortality. We know, as Amulek taught, (Alma 34:32) “….this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.”
Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught:
“There is no such thing as a second chance to gain salvation. This life is the time and the day of our probation. After this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
For those who do not have an opportunity to believe and obey the holy word in this life, the first chance to gain salvation will come in the spirit world. If those who hear the word for the first time in the realms ahead are the kind of people who would have accepted the gospel here, had the opportunity been afforded them, they will accept it there. Salvation for the dead is for those whose first chance to gain salvation is in the spirit world.”
The Lord in a revelation found in Doctrine and Covenants spoke the following: (D&C 137:7-9):
“Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;
Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;
For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts”
Melissa, nothing provides me more comfort and sweet assurance than to know that we are beloved sons and daughters of a loving Father in heaven and His work and His glory is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life. I testify that our Father loves us with a perfect love and will be perfect in His great work.
Gramps
