I love my little grandbabies. There is no greater joy than to cuddle with one of these soft little ones. It is just a joy to contemplate how innocent they are, having just left their Heavenly Father’s presence to come to earth. And how terrible it must be as a parent or grandparent to lose one. A number of years ago, I received one of those phone calls that no one ever wants to get. It was my dad at the other end, telling me emotionally that little Melissa, my 8 month-old niece, had passed away in her sleep and gone back to heaven. I was inconsolable with grief. At the moment, I was on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, and I sought comfort in the Visitor's Center by the Christus statue. As I was visibly shaken, a missionary came to ask me if I was okay. We discussed the plan of salvation, and I was reminded of God’s love for all His children, in particular His little ones who die in innocence. They are guaranteed salvation purely through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and have no need of baptism or other saving ordinances. The Book of Mormon reassures us on this principle.
Moroni 8:11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.
12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!
19 Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy.
LESSON LEARNED: Despite the grief associated with losing a little child, there is eternal comfort in knowing that salvation is assured for these little ones through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
FEEDBACK: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS?
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