Question
Dear Gramps
My only child passed from cancer at the age of 24 years. She had non-verbal autism and limited understanding but she was my world. Can you explain to me if she automatically gains the Celestial Kingdom? If so what might she be doing now on the other side? Is she within the spirit world? Thank you as I know greater understanding will give me greater peace. God bless.
Susan
Answer
Dear Susan,
I am sorry to hear of the death of your loved daughter. I am not so foolish as to declare final judgment on specific persons, but I can share with you a principle or two for your consideration.
Mormon wrote to his son that “all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he … is not condemned, or he … is under no condemnation” (Moroni 8:22, emphasis mine). In practice, this teaching means that little children, and those who are not morally accountable, do not require baptism for the remission of sins. Joseph Smith was further told by the Lord that they “are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten; Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt” them (D&C 29:46-47).
As far as we know, your daughter is in the spirit world. Alma taught his son about “the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow” (Alma 40:11-12).
Finally, I want to assure you that God speaks to His grieving saints. Joseph F. Smith was no stranger to sorrow. He buried 9 of his own children from 1869-1898. The Spanish Flu surrounded him with death and disease. In 1918, he erupted in fresh lamentation at the death of his oldest son. “My soul is rent asunder. My heart is broken, and flutters for life! O my sweet son, my joy, my hope! … O God, help me!” A little less than a year later, Smith received a vision of the work his Hyrum was participating in on the other side of the veil.
I do not promise you visions, but it is my experience that God is mindful of mourners and grants them sacred experiences to treasure as they find peace. The Lord loves you and hears you.
Gramps
