The scripture you quoted in Romans doesn't contradict this. I believe you're referring to Romans 1:18-20? Notice that those who are "without excuse" are specifically those who "hold the truth in unrighteousness," or those who have been given the truth and reject it. In that case, you're right, there are no second chances. But I'm not really talking about second chances here, I'm talking about first chances-- those who never had the opportunity to either accept or reject the gospel in this life.
This post is already long enough, but perhaps this following quote might clarify. It's from Joseph Fielding McConkie, who was my religion teacher at BYU this last semester, from a book caled Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions. The question he's responding to is "Will it be harder or easier to embrace the gospel in the spirit world?" Here's his answer:
"If God is just, then all of his children must have an equal opportunity to accept or reject the gospel before the Day of Judgment. As Latter-day Saints, we know that those who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in this life will have it in the spirit world before they are called forth from the grave. These, Peter said, will then 'be judged according to men in the flesh' (1 Peter 4:6). This statement means that the standard of discipleship is the same in this world and in the next.
"In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, we learn that there was a law, 'irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated' (D&C 130:20-21). There is no place that we can go to escape the laws of God or their effects. Those laws applied in our premortal life, they apply in mortality, and they will apply in the spirit world and in the eternities to come. The God we worship is 'infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them (D&C 20:17)'. When the scriptures speak of an everlasting gospel, they are describing a gospel that is everlastingly the same (see D&C 27:5; 101:39).
"In principle it should be neither easier nor harder to exercise faith or to repent in the sprit world. Were that not the case, those in that estate could not be judged according to men in the flesh. For some it will be natural and easy to accept and live gospel truths, for that will have been the practice of a lifetime. For others it will be very difficult to do so, for eschewing the things of the Spirit will have been the practice of a lifetime. The difference is not in the gospel but in the hearts and souls of those to whom the message is being presented.
"We must allow, however, for circumstances in which people were prisoners to experiences in this life that prevented them from having a fair chance to embrace gospel principles here. When they are freed from those bitter chains, many of them will seek the blessings of the gospel" (97-98).
Anyway, I hope that clears up where I was coming from with my comment. Sorry to take up so much room on your LJ, I hope you don't mind. I love these kinds of discussions. :)
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Date: 2003-04-30 01:08 pm (UTC)The scripture you quoted in Romans doesn't contradict this. I believe you're referring to Romans 1:18-20? Notice that those who are "without excuse" are specifically those who "hold the truth in unrighteousness," or those who have been given the truth and reject it. In that case, you're right, there are no second chances. But I'm not really talking about second chances here, I'm talking about first chances-- those who never had the opportunity to either accept or reject the gospel in this life.
This post is already long enough, but perhaps this following quote might clarify. It's from Joseph Fielding McConkie, who was my religion teacher at BYU this last semester, from a book caled Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions. The question he's responding to is "Will it be harder or easier to embrace the gospel in the spirit world?" Here's his answer:
"If God is just, then all of his children must have an equal opportunity to accept or reject the gospel before the Day of Judgment. As Latter-day Saints, we know that those who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in this life will have it in the spirit world before they are called forth from the grave. These, Peter said, will then 'be judged according to men in the flesh' (1 Peter 4:6). This statement means that the standard of discipleship is the same in this world and in the next.
"In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, we learn that there was a law, 'irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated' (D&C 130:20-21). There is no place that we can go to escape the laws of God or their effects. Those laws applied in our premortal life, they apply in mortality, and they will apply in the spirit world and in the eternities to come. The God we worship is 'infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them (D&C 20:17)'. When the scriptures speak of an everlasting gospel, they are describing a gospel that is everlastingly the same (see D&C 27:5; 101:39).
"In principle it should be neither easier nor harder to exercise faith or to repent in the sprit world. Were that not the case, those in that estate could not be judged according to men in the flesh. For some it will be natural and easy to accept and live gospel truths, for that will have been the practice of a lifetime. For others it will be very difficult to do so, for eschewing the things of the Spirit will have been the practice of a lifetime. The difference is not in the gospel but in the hearts and souls of those to whom the message is being presented.
"We must allow, however, for circumstances in which people were prisoners to experiences in this life that prevented them from having a fair chance to embrace gospel principles here. When they are freed from those bitter chains, many of them will seek the blessings of the gospel" (97-98).
Anyway, I hope that clears up where I was coming from with my comment. Sorry to take up so much room on your LJ, I hope you don't mind. I love these kinds of discussions. :)