Is it necessary to believe in Jesus to go to heaven? Can't I just be a good person and be saved? In this post, I share a story of Kathryn. She was royalty and a kind person, and died not knowing who Jesus was. What she learned about the light can help all of us.
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A visit with a spirit who didn't believe in Jesus
I'd like to share a story of my conversation with a women who died who never knew about Jesus. She was royalty and led a wonderful life.
What happened to her? What happens to so many like her, those who are good and kind but don't know about Jesus?
There are many who believe that all one has to do to go to heaven is to be "good." Having a belief in Jesus is often touted as not necessary. After all, the logic goes, there are so many people who do good in this world, and who aren't Christians, surely they won't go to hell?
This question requires clarification of our understanding of what it means to be saved, and of what is meant by heaven and hell.
Before I share that story, let's take a quick look at what the scriptures say about whether we have to believe in Jesus. We also need some understanding of the role of Jesus and the Plan of Salvation
Is belief in Jesus necessary?
First, is a belief in Jesus necessary? I’m going to share a scriptures, and you tell me what the answer is. In Acts, Peter the Apostle is speaking to the crowd after performing a miracle and healing a man.
"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. . . Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:10, 12, KJV)
Next is King Benjamin, who is speaking about the importance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in saving us.
"And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.
And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and
And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." (Mosiah 3:8-9, 17, Book of Mormon)
And a few more by Jesus himself.
"Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV)
The scripture that is most clear about our need to believe in Jesus to go to heaven is John 3:16. Unfortunately, the second part of the scripture is often left off, and it is the most important part.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but should have eternal life." (John 3:16, NKJV)
These scriptures plainly state that we must have a belief in Jesus.
Resurrection comes to all, because of Jesus
Because of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, all of us receive two gifts, regardless of what we believe.
First, because we are eternal beings, when we die, our spirits return to the spirit world.
Second, all beings who ever lived and who will yet live will one day have their spirit and body reunited in perfect frame. This is the resurrection. These things happen for all, believers and non-believers. All of us will live eternally, with a resurrected body.
The question then becomes, do these good people suffer eternally? Here’s one more scripture.
"And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it." (2 Ne 9:23-24, Book of Mormon)
Spirits go to heaven or hell
The question becomes, what happens to those who die but don’t believe in Jesus? They still return to the spirit world, until the time when all mankind will be resurrected after the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Until that time, spirits are in spirit paradise, which can be called heaven, or spirit prison, which can be called hell. Spirit prison is a temporary place where those who died now knowing of Jesus go.
God is merciful. He is also loving. He desires for all of His children to return to Him and to be with Him eternally. Any loving parent would want their children to be with them.
Another central piece to our question of the eternal state of good people is the principle of agency. God gave man agency, the ability to choose. Without agency, we are not subject to law. But with agency, we must be given knowledge so that we can make a choice.
God does not damn those who have not been given the opportunity to make a choice about Jesus. Because He loves us, he provides an opportunity for those who lived but didn't know about Jesus to learn about Him.
If someone hasn't learned about Jesus, how could they be punished eternally? They were never given the opportunity to make a choice to believe in him or not.
Let's go to the story of Kathryn, the woman who died without knowing about Jesus. Listen to what she says about light and goodness.
A conversation with a spirit who didn't know Jesus
It's early, well before sunrise. I'm sitting at my desk specifically for this purpose. To talk with those who have died not knowing who Jesus was. I start with a prayer, and this morning am greeted by Kathryn. This is her story.
Kathryn was the daughter of a king. Royalty. She had it all - wealth, power, a comfortable life. A sheltered life.
Life outside of her father's castle was harsh and difficult. She was well educated, bright, and spent her days learning and developing talents as was common for royal women of her time.
Kathryn stands before me, well dressed and well poised. She is tall and elegant, kind and courteous. She has an air of expectation about her.
She shares, "My days were spent in fun, enjoying all life had to offer. My days were colorful, happy, and serene. I was always treated well and well cared for, as were all in my family. I came from a loving home, and my life was good and uneventful."
"When I died, I was shocked by the darkness and dreariness I saw around me. I didn't understand where all the colors had gone. Where was all of the joy and happiness? I searched for my family but couldn't find them."
"One day, I saw a group of three women who were bright, white light. At last! I went to talk with them, but they disappeared. I was so sad. But now that I new these beings existed, I looked for them."
"Finally, I found more. It was a whole congregation! They were all gathered together, listening to someone talk."
"I came and joined them and felt an overwhelming sense of peace and belonging and love. I'd never felt anything like it before. It was glorious."
"As I listened, I heard the speaker talk about Jesus. I'd never heard of this Jesus before. I surmised if all of these people listening to this person talk about Jesus were so bright and brought a sense of peace, then it must be because of him in some way."
"I discovered that they met regularly, so I went as often as I could to listen and learn. I discovered that as I kept going, that feeling would stay with me when I wasn't there."
"My body also became more and more light! As it did so, my eyes opened and I saw more of the goodness that was around me. It was present! I had just never seen it before. It was glorious! The colors were beautiful! I can't even describe how beautiful the colors are."
"Now I go daily and learn more about Jesus. I am grateful for those that preach of him. I am still learning what he teaches, but I know it is what I need to have peace and joy here."
"I am slowly finding my family members, too! They come with me to hear this preacher. They are also in awe at the change listening brings about in us. It is glorious, and I am excited to learn more and more."
"I know that one day, I will be together with all of my family. I anticipate that day with great eagerness and excitement."
"Now I am starting to talk about Jesus to others who will listen, and I bring them with me to hear. It truly is glorious. I had no idea!"
"Jesus is king. I know that one day, I will get to see him myself. I can't wait for that glorious day!"
It's never too late to believe and follow Jesus
Kathryn's story shows us that there is always a time and a way to find Christ, to learn of him, and to choose to believe in him. Although she led a very good life while here on earth, learning of Jesus brought her peace and joy. It makes her world brighter and she is excited to share this good news with others.
I know from my own experience that choosing to follow Jesus does indeed bring peace and light to our days. This world has much to offer, but it is nothing compared to the rest and joy to be found in our Savior.
Main image by Slava Rus from Pixabay
