What does it mean to have "a knowledge" and "receive it"?

[Fether]

I watched a debate between Midnight Mormons and RFM this last weekend and this topic popped up for a moment. It sparked my thoughts.

Doctrine and Covenants 137:7-8  "Thus came the avoice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died bwithout a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be cheirs of the celestial kingdom of God; Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who awould have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;"

With this, there seems to be the assumption that if they did not receive it in this life, they will not be heirs to the kingdom.

What does it mean to have aknowledge of the gospel and receive it? Has everyone who is aware of the existense of the Latter-day Saint faith have a knowledge? As a missionary, when I approached someone on the street and said "Do you want to hear a message about the restored gospel?", does that person now have a knowledge and whether they get baptized or not is what decides whether they receive it or not?

Or is it more deep? Are there regularily attending members in our faith who do not yet have a knowledge of the gospel? Are there members of our faith that have left the church (either officially or unofficially) that never had a knowledge and hence, could have never chosen to receive it?

I know countless people that, should they be convinced this is the way, the truth, and the light, that they would put down all they are doing and serve God with all their heart, might, mind and strength. But because they aren't convinced, or haven't learned how to find spiritual truth, they don't join the church. It isn't because they don't want growth, it is because they feel the have found it elsewhere. Are these people who had a knowledge? Or will they receive that knowledge in the after life when they die?

[Calm]

I think they need to have an understanding of what the gospel is before they can truly reject it, so simple exposure is not enough.  I am not sure it is even possible to know before one has experienced the blessings of the faith so that one’s heart and mind have been worked upon.  My view may be wishful thinking, but I think it possible that even many/most longtime members haven’t had the chance yet.  Plus I believe it must include repentance, so ir becomes more the ultimate state of our knowledge that counts in judgment.  One and done isn’t in line with other revelation, IMO.

Edited November 15, 2021 by Calm

[pogi]

5 hours ago, Fether said:

I watched a debate between Midnight Mormons and RFM this last weekend and this topic popped up for a moment. It sparked my thoughts.

Doctrine and Covenants 137:7-8  "Thus came the avoice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died bwithout a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be cheirs of the celestial kingdom of God; Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who awould have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;"

With this, there seems to be the assumption that if they did not receive it in this life, they will not be heirs to the kingdom.

What does it mean to have aknowledge of the gospel and receive it? Has everyone who is aware of the existense of the Latter-day Saint faith have a knowledge? As a missionary, when I approached someone on the street and said "Do you want to hear a message about the restored gospel?", does that person now have a knowledge and whether they get baptized or not is what decides whether they receive it or not?

Or is it more deep? Are there regularily attending members in our faith who do not yet have a knowledge of the gospel? Are there members of our faith that have left the church (either officially or unofficially) that never had a knowledge and hence, could have never chosen to receive it?

I know countless people that, should they be convinced this is the way, the truth, and the light, that they would put down all they are doing and serve God with all their heart, might, mind and strength. But because they aren't convinced, or haven't learned how to find spiritual truth, they don't join the church. It isn't because they don't want growth, it is because they feel the have found it elsewhere. Are these people who had a knowledge? Or will they receive that knowledge in the after life when they die?

There are countless examples of extremely righteous people who were taught and rejected the gospel, only to receive it later.  What if these people had died before eventually accepting the gospel?  I don't view death as a cut-off in that way.  What if they lived another year, would they have received it?  What if they lived another 20 years?  We simply can't assume that people will not be heirs to the kingdom if they are taught and reject the gospel in mortality.