In January 1836, many years after Alvin’s death, Joseph Smith received a vision of the celestial kingdom, in which he saw that Alvin, as well as his mother and father, would someday inherit that kingdom. Joseph “marveled how it was that [Alvin] 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” (D&C 137:6). The voice of the Lord then came to Joseph, declaring:
“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” (D&C 137:7–9).
Lesson highlights:
- God loves all His children and will judge all people according to the law they have received.
- The Savior, Jesus Christ, offers the opportunity for forgiveness and deliverance to both the living and the dead.
- God is perfectly just and merciful to all people, living and dead.
It is our duty and privilege to be baptized and confirmed for those who have died without the gospel.
(For the full lesson, click here)
