Children Who Leave Too Early and the Families Left Behindby Candace Salima | More from this Blogger 26 Apr 2006 06:42 AM For those of us who have suffered miscarriage, still born births or the early deaths of our children, the effects can be devastating, to say the least. For myself, as I suffered miscarriage after miscarriage I turned to the writings of modern prophets and apostles for comfort as I yearned to know if I would ever hold my children in my arms. The prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr., who also faced this very same heartbreak addressed this issue in the King Follett sermon and again in conversations to M. Isabella Horne and other sisters who had suffered these very same losses: ". . . he told us that we should receive those children in the morning of the resurrection just as we laid them down, in purity and innocence, and we should nourish and care for them as their mothers. He said that children would be raised in the resurrection just as they were laid down, and that they would obtain all the intelligence necessary to occupy thrones, principalities, and powers." (History of the Church, p. 4:556-57) He also said at the funeral of his niece, Sophronia Smith, as reported by Joseph F. Smith: ". . . the body remains undeveloped in the grave, but the spirit returns to God who gave it. Afterwards, in the resurrection, the spirit and body will be reunited; the body will develop and grow to the full stature of the spirit, and the resurrected soul will go on to perfection." (Joseph Fielding Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 456) What great comfort this brought to my heart. Unlike Catholics, who teach that children who die before baptism will reside in purgatory, modern prophets have taught this doctrine of love, comfort and logic. My mother's heart was eased, although I longed for my children. I stepped back from the emotion, looked into the eternities and saw that all would be well. Additionally, this quote by Joseph Fielding Smith brought even greater comfort: "You mothers worry about your little children [who have passed away]. We do not perform [marriage] sealings for them. I lost a son [at] six years of age, and I saw him a man in the spirit world after his death, and I saw how he had exercised his own freedom of choice and would obtain, of his own will and volition, a companionship . . . In due time to him, and all those who are worthy of it, shall come all of the blessings and sealing privileges of the house of the Lord. Do not worry over it. They are safe; they are alright . . ." (Hinckley, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, p. 260) What more could grieving parents ask for? To know that my children will grow, will love and will gain the Celestial Kingdom. This knowledge is indeed, the balm of Gilead, for parents who have lost their child far too soon in life. All children, who shuffle off this mortal coil prior to the age of eight will receive all the glories they would have received had they lived righteous mortal lives to their natural conclusion. There is nothing more a righteous parent in Zion could ever want for their child. Learn more about Candace Salima  Candace E. Salima was born right smack dab in the middle of twelve children. Relevantlds tags User Comments  Pam Connell (2658) 10 Jan 2008 07:49 PMThanks for sharing these beautiful and consoling words--but I also want to make a correction about Catholic belief. Catholics do not, and never have, teach that babies who die unbaptized go to Purgatory. Purgatory, in Catholic theology, is a temporary state where one is to be made worthy of heaven. It was never an official teaching of the Church, but many Catholic priests and nuns taught a theory about "Limbo" taken from the writings of St Augustine. Augustine believed that Baptism was necessary for attaining heaven--defined as the "beatific vision" of being in the presence of God. Yet children who die unbaptized could not, if God is loving, be sent to a place of punishment or discomfort such as Purgatory or Hell. Augustine suggested "Limbo" , which he conceived of as a state where there is every earthly good thing imaginable, except for the beatific vision of God's presence. (My theology professor used to say, "I wouldn't mind a vacation in Limbo." ) Of course, this was still very distressing to parents who feared they would not see their child again in Heaven. The Church last year made an official statement backing off from the idea of Limbo. I don't claim to be a theologian, but I was gratified because the statement seemed to use an argument I had made in graduate school. This is the "baptism of desire". The Church had long held that catechumens (adults studying and preparing for Baptism) could go to heaven. (They could hardly say otherwise since many catechumens in the early days were martyred for their new belief in Christ.) The Catholic Church also practices infant Baptism, where the parents and godparents take the vows on behalf of the baby and promise to teach them the faith (the child will confirm those vows on their own as a young adult). So if adults can be saved by their desire for Baptism, and infants can be Baptized if their parents so desire, then doesn't it follow that infants can be saved by the fact that their parents desired them baptized? Regardless of theological wrangling and the latest pronouncement, which I am glad for as it doubtless will be a relief to many Catholics, my thoughts have always been that God loves these children even more than we do, and that He is smarter than we are (and thus not bound by our theological logic). I've always believed that innocents go to heaven.  Candace Salima (1604) 11 Jan 2008 10:39 AMPam, it is very good to know that the Catholic church has backed off this doctrine. There was a day, when children who died before baptism, those who died in childbirth, and those who committed suicide were buried in unconsecrated ground, deemed unworthy and eternally damned. This was prevalent in the Middle Ages, and was still taught in local churches up until, I would assume, the Catholic church made this statement. Very, very good to hear. Pam Connell (2658) 17 Jan 2008 02:51 AMI know "limbo" was a prevalent belief in my parents' generation, but I haven't heard of the babies being buried in unconsecrated ground (glad I didn't live in the Middle Ages!) Although the official statement is recent, all the priests I've known since I was a child have believed that God takes these children to Himself in His loving mercy. I do love the beautiful passages above--especially the first one from "History of the Church". Thank you for sharing them. I'm glad I had time to delve into some blogs i don't usually get to! Community Tags early death, eternities, family, hope, miscarriage Discuss this article
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