What is the highest degree of glory that a good woman can obtain whose husband never accepts the gospel? Say she was already married when she met the missionaries, and she was baptized with her children. Her whole life she’s faithful to God, and she also receives all of the sacred ordinances.
One Response to “What is the highest degree of glory that a good woman can ob…”
Mario Rubio
2010-02-13 07:39:29
Hi Mirita. If I understand you correctly, you're describing a woman who joined the church after she was already married. Her husband, however, did not follow her example.
In this case, I'm certain that one of the teachings of Elder Dallin H. Oaks applies. In 1996, he taught: "Through the merciful plan of our Father in Heaven, persons who desire to do what is right but through no fault of their own are unable to have an eternal marriage in mortal life will have an opportunity to qualify for eternal life in a period following mortality, if they keep the commandments of God and are true to their baptismal and other covenants."
As the woman you mentioned was not able to have an eternal marriage in this life through no fault of her own, I'm certain she could still inherit the Celestial Kingdom if she was diligent in this life, if she truly accepted Jesus Christ and tried her best to do His will.
That having been said, such a woman shouldn't give up hope. When I was a missionary, I knew one family that was in a similar situation. The wife and children had been members of the church for decades, but the husband resisted. The wife, in a loving way, never stopped encouraging her husband to come to church with her. After many years, he was finally baptized and is now a leader in his congregation. Miracles can certainly happen.
Also, we must remember that people have the opportunity to accept the Gospel both in this life and in the next. Through the vicarious ordinances of the temple, the husband of the woman you mentioned may accept the Gospel in the next life, even if he never joins the church in this one.
In this case, I'm certain that one of the teachings of Elder Dallin H. Oaks applies. In 1996, he taught: "Through the merciful plan of our Father in Heaven, persons who desire to do what is right but through no fault of their own are unable to have an eternal marriage in mortal life will have an opportunity to qualify for eternal life in a period following mortality, if they keep the commandments of God and are true to their baptismal and other covenants."
As the woman you mentioned was not able to have an eternal marriage in this life through no fault of her own, I'm certain she could still inherit the Celestial Kingdom if she was diligent in this life, if she truly accepted Jesus Christ and tried her best to do His will.
That having been said, such a woman shouldn't give up hope. When I was a missionary, I knew one family that was in a similar situation. The wife and children had been members of the church for decades, but the husband resisted. The wife, in a loving way, never stopped encouraging her husband to come to church with her. After many years, he was finally baptized and is now a leader in his congregation. Miracles can certainly happen.
Also, we must remember that people have the opportunity to accept the Gospel both in this life and in the next. Through the vicarious ordinances of the temple, the husband of the woman you mentioned may accept the Gospel in the next life, even if he never joins the church in this one.
I hope this answer helps. May God bless you.