D&C 137

Doctrine and Covenants Section 37 is a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith of the Celestial Kingdom. It gives some extremely comforting to doctrine regarding those who die without ever hearing about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the revelation, Joseph Smith sees his brother Alvin, who died without being baptized. Joseph is surprised to see his brother in the Celestial Kingdom since he had not been baptized in mortality, but then learned an incredible doctrine—that those who would have accepted the gospel, had they had the opportunity in this life, will have a chance to learn it and accept it in the life to come. Of course, they can’t receive the ordinances for themselves, so that puts a lot of responsibility on the rest of us to do their work for them. For me personally, this makes me feel extremely grateful for the gospel. It’s hard for me to imagine a God who wouldn’t provide a way for all of His creations to return to Him. It helps me to remember how much love our Heavenly Father has for all of His children. We all lived with Him before, and His work and His glory is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” Our Heavenly Father provided a way for everyone on this earth to return to live with Him, not just those who had a chance to hear of Christ, or receive a fullness of that Gospel. It helps me to realize that even though there are hard trials going on throughout the world, God loves all of His children. Even if things are hard in this life, those who do their best still have a chance to have true joy and happiness in the life to come.
This is additionally important to me in the aspect of family history work. Heavenly Father has provided a way for our ancestors to return to Him, but they can’t do it without our help. We have information and technology at our fingertips. We have the gospel in its fullness. It truly is our responsibility and opportunity to search for the names of our ancestors. To give them the opportunity to receive the ordinances is an opportunity that all should pursue in one form or another. Many of them lived good lives, and would have accepted the gospel. Now it’s up to us to give them that chance to receive the blessings.