 |
Gramps,
I have been told by a “well meaning” neighbor that anyone who chooses to
not have children will not reach the celestial kingdom. Is this true? Marge,
from Utah |
Dear
Marge,
Let’s
see if we can identify some of those who will inherit the celestial kingdom.
First, in the Priesthood manual for 2000, “Teachings of Presidents of the
Church: Joseph F. Smith,” it would be interesting to look at chapter 15,
entitled “The Salvation of Little Children.”
Here we learn that “little children who die before they reach the years
of accountability are redeemed by the blood of Christ,” and inherit the
celestial kingdom.
“Such
children are in the bosom of the Father. They will inherit their glory and their
exaltation, and they will not be deprived of the blessings that belong to them, . . .
and in the wisdom and mercy and economy of God our Heavenly Father, all that
could have been obtained and enjoyed by these if they had been permitted to live
in the flesh will be provided for them hereafter” (Collected Discourses, Vol.
4, Funeral Services for Daniel Wells Grant, March 12, 1895).
We
read in the Doctrine and Covenants that not only will little children inherit
the celestial kingdom, but also “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.”
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. 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
(D&C 137:7-10).
We
understand also that all those who are baptized into the Lord’s Church, who
live in accordance with their baptismal covenant, remaining true and faithful
all the days of their lives, but who are not sealed in the holy temple, although
denied exaltation, will also inherit the glory of the celestial kingdom.
For
these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but
remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to
all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever
and ever (D&C 132:17).
So
it seems that your well-meaning neighbor was more well meaning than well
informed.
Gramps