If someone wondered why God requires ordinances and covenants when not everyone has the chance to receive them, how would you help them see His love, His justice, and His perfect plan for every soul?
"A vision given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, in the temple at Kirtland, Ohio, January 21, 1836. The occasion was the administration of ordinances in preparation for the dedication of the temple.
1–6, The Prophet sees his brother Alvin in the celestial kingdom; 7–9, The doctrine of salvation for the dead is revealed; 10, All children are saved in the celestial kingdom.
1 The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell.
2 I saw the transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire;
3 Also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son.
4 I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold.
5 I saw Father Adam and Abraham; and my father and my mother; my brother Alvin, that has long since slept;
6 And marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins.
7 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;
8 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;
9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.
10 And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven." (Doctrine and Covenants 137)
"30 But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.
31 And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel.
32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
33 These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,
34 And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
35 And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross.
36 Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojourn in the world of spirits, instructing and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testified of him in the flesh;
37 That they might carry the message of redemption unto all the dead, unto whom he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression, that they through the ministration of his servants might also hear his words.
57 I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.
58 The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God,
59 And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.
60 Thus was the vision of the redemption of the dead revealed to me, and I bear record, and I know that this record is true, through the blessing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, even so. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants 138: 31-37, 57-60)
And here's the beginning part of the commentary entitled: "All of Heavenly Father’s children will have the opportunity to choose eternal life." :
"Alvin Smith, the Prophet Joseph’s beloved brother, passed away six years before God restored the authority to baptize. The common understanding among some Christians in 1836 was that if a person died without being baptized, that person could not go to heaven. Joseph wondered about Alvin’s eternal salvation for many years—until he received the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 137.
Many people today have similar questions. Why would God require ordinances and covenants when so many people never have the opportunity to receive them? What would you say to someone who wonders this? How would you build their faith in God and His requirements for salvation? Look for truths you could share in section 137 and in section 138:30–37, 57–60. You could also look for these truths expressed in the hymn “The Glorious Gospel Light Has Shone” (Hymns, no. 283) and in President Henry B. Eyring’s message “Gathering the Family of God” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 19–22)."
To someone who wonders why God would require ordinances and covenants when so many people never have the opportunity to receive them, I would say--why not? God loves all of His children, and He is just. The opportunity to complete His requirements for salvation is available for every one of His children. Every one has the opportunity to hear the gospel and make the choice to accept or reject the saving ordinances and to decide to enter or not enter into a covenant with Him. Indeed, all of Heavenly Father’s children will have the opportunity to choose eternal life.
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