What follows stands alone as an essay
At some point there will be a part 2. But for now. enjoy part 1.
[Inuit[i]]: 'If I did not know about
God and sin, would I go to hell?'
Priest:
'No, not if you did not know.'
[Inuit]:
'Then why did you tell me?'
Annie
Dillard[ii]
You don’t need salvation
Part 1. Ransomware
It seems that in
Mormonism (and to a lesser degree in the broader category of Christianity),
there is a proviso for those who die without hearing the gospel.
Proviso?
Accepting Jesus (and
whatever that may entail) is necessary for us to avoid an eternal punishment in
the form of being separated from the presence of God. That hardly seems fair to
those who don’t accept Jesus because of an accident of birth. A majority of
persons who have ever lived did not accept Jesus due to living their lives in a
time and/or place in which they never had a chance to hear the gospel.
The proviso I mention is for these people.
For example, 2
Nephi 9:25 tells us that “…where there is no law given there is no
punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation;
and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have
claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power
of him.” (italics added)
Similarly, Mormon 8: 22 tells us that “…all little
children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law.
For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore,
he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent;
and unto such baptism availeth nothing.” (italics added)
St. Paul seems to be in agreement with the Book of
Mormon on this matter, asking rhetorically “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and
how shall they hear without a preacher…” (Romans 10:14), and suggests something
akin to the provision spoken of above: “…but sin is not imputed when there is
no law.” (Romans 5:13). And although “through the law we become conscious of
sin…” (Romans 3:20), those that die without the law, per se, will still
be judged on essentially being a good person (if I’m reading St. Paul right): “it
is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers
of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by
nature do what the law requires…They show that the work of the law is
written on their hearts.” (Romans 2:13-15). (italics added)
Mormonism has an explanation for why those who die without hearing the gospel are not condemned. In 1st Peter, Chapter 3, we learn that Jesus, “being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (v. 18, 19, italics added).
