Why do Mormons have missionaries if 'basically everyone' is going to heaven?
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Ray Farmer
Jealous of and Zealous for the Book of Mormon3y

Let me develop your question a little more, if you don’t mind.

Joseph Smiths Brother died before the restoration. But he was seen in a vision to be in heaven. They wondered how he could be there. Joseph was told by the Lord:

“All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts” (D&C 137:7–9).

So, why do missionary work?

Further, if we can repent in the spirit prison when our knowledge is perfect, why muddle around here in the darkness trying, while knowing and understanding in part, to convince people of things most high and beyond understanding. We should just wait until the time when missionary work will be 100% effective?

If this were the case, we should follow the doctrine of the false teachers in the Book of Mormon (that we are warned against) . Lets let everyone alone and let them party down and have fun. Eventually someone will do their temple work, missionaries will visit them in spirit prison, they can then choose to repent and follow Christ, get transferred over to Paradise and spend eternity in perfect bliss.

“Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God--he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God”. 2 Nephi 28:8

Of course, the Book of Mormon calls this “false and vain and foolish doctrines” 2 Nephi 28:9

Instead, The Book of Mormon, instead of teaching that we are all on the road to the kingdom of God, tells us that we are all on the road to eternal punishment. We start out carnal, sensual, and devilish…all are lost. If we persist in this way, we will wind up at death as if no redemption has been made!! Therefore, the Lord is calling us with his voice and many other means to get us off that path by being transformed by the Mighty Change. Read carefully:

Mosiah 16:2-5

“And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not.

“For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil.

“Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state.

“But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore, he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God”

We now see the vital importance of missionary work now because THIS LIFE is the time to prepare to meet God. I will give references below, tho no one will read them, that show that this is the space of time, this state of probation, this preparatory state to either accept of reject God.

2 Nephi 2:8-9

“Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

“Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved”