This section is a vision that Joseph Smith receives in the same year of the completion of the Kirtland temple. In the vision, Joseph sees the Celestial Kingdom, which we believe to be the highest of three Degrees of Glory in heaven. Joseph also sees the thrown room with both God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, in it. He also saw Adam and Abraham in heaven, along with his parents and his older brother who passed away while Joseph was a teenager. The fact that his parents are in this vision proves that it is a vision of the future, because Joseph's parents are both still alive. Joseph was confused by the presence of Alvin, his older brother, because Joseph had learned that only those who had been baptized would go to heaven. The Lord informs Joseph that those who die without having received the Gospel, who would have if they had been given the opportunity to receive it, (which includes those who died before the restoration of the Gospel) will still have the opportunity to go to the Celestial Kingdom. The Lord states that the He will judge us on our works and on the intent of our hearts, it is not dependent on being born after the Gospel was restored. He also states that children who die before the age of accountability, which we believe to be 8 years of age, will go to the Celestial Kingdom.
I absolutely love this section, I really do, because in less than a page worth of text we are reminded of the beauty of Heaven and we are given comfort and knowledge about those who have passed away. I think that the fact that young children are saved provides some comfort to parents who have lost a child at a young age. I understand, though I have never experienced the pain myself, that losing a child is a great trial to go through and that nothing can take away the pain. However (and again, this is speculation, I've never experienced it myself), I think that this little bit of knowledge, can provide some comfort and help a grieving parent.
No comments:
Post a Comment