Salvation for the Dead

Section 137 is one of my favorite passages in all of the Doctrine and Covenants because of its amazing description of the Celestial Kingdom from the mouth of someone who saw it first hand. Although Joseph Smith’s words (or any other human expression for that matter) could never do justice to the beauty and magnificence that is found in this highest degree of glory, what he is able to provide is still strikingly powerful. He talks of “transcendent beauty…circling flames” (vs.2) as well as “a blazing throne” and streets “paved with gold” (vs. 3-4). The beauty and serenity is such that our mortal minds cannot imagine it.
To Joseph Smith, and I would have to agree with him, the true beauty lies beyond these physical characteristics. The miracle lies within the atonement of Christ and the resulting ability we’ll have to reunite with loved ones on the other side of the veil. As is expected, Joseph sees people such as Adam and Abraham in the Celestial Kingdom, but perhaps less expected is the vision of his parents and particularly his brother Alvin who had never been baptized in the church. This introduces the doctrine of the salvation for the dead. We are taught that those who do not get the chance to accept the gospel in this life will be given that chance in the next, and those who go through mortality without truly learning of Christ will gain this knowledge after death.
This doctrine has great importance to me. About thirty years ago, my parents met and fell in love. After getting married, they were introduced to the gospel and were eventually baptized before bringing my brothers and me into the world. They were the only members of both of their families to accept the gospel, and to this day, we are still alone in our decision. It would be a tragedy if I were to die and make it to the Celestial Kingdom but never be able to see my cousins, aunts, uncles, or grandparents ever again because they had not gained a testimony of the truth. It makes perfect sense that a loving Heavenly Father would provide a way for these people, equally as righteous and noble as any member of the church, to have eternal life in His presence. In section 137 of the Doctrine and Covenants, Heavenly Father relates this very idea to Joseph Smith: “All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel who would have received it…shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God…For I the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts” (vs. 7-10). Our merciful Heavenly Father has made it so a righteous, humble, and honest person who goes through life with good intentions and faith can make it to His presence, whether they knew of His gospel or not. It is such a blessing and comfort to me to know that I will see my family and friends in the next life despite our differences in this one.