We need to be very careful when we read the scriptures and use them to take a stance on issues in the church. It is not wrong to do this, per se, but cherry picking a single line can end up with incorrect conclusions.<\/p>\n
For example, In D&C 76, when talking of those who live in the terrestrial world, we are taught:<\/p>\n
72 Behold, these are they who died without law;
\n73 And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;
\n74 Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nA plain reading of this notes that those who do not receive the Gospel in this life don’t go to the Celestial Kingdom. This was February 16, 1832. Years later on January 21, 1836, Joseph was given further revelation:<\/p>\n
1 THE heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell.
\n2 I saw the transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire;
\n3 Also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son.
\n4 I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold.
\n5 I saw Father Adam and Abraham; and my father and my mother; my brother Alvin, that has long since slept;
\n6 And marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins.
\n7 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;
\n8 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;
\n9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nNow we have Joseph receiving a revelation that those who would have received it, had they the opportunity, were celestial kingdom bound, despite what was said in 76. \u00a0And not too long ago we have Spencer W. Kimball telling us that:<\/p>\n
insofar as eternity is concerned, no soul will be deprived of rich and high and eternal blessings for anything which that person could not help, that the Lord never fails in his promises, and that every righteous person will receive eventually all to which the person is entitled and which he or she has not forfeited through any fault of his or her own\u009d (Ensign,<\/em> Oct. 1979, p. 5).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As you can see, with a little more perspective, the context and message completely changes. So when you share a scripture, be careful how you do it. Please?