Few There Be That Find It

"The scriptures speak often of a strait gate and a narrow way which lead unto that life which we have come to know as eternal life. Stress is frequently placed upon the fact that few will ultimately get onto that path and navigate that course which will result in a saved condition hereafter.

However, these are scriptural passages (D&C 132:22-25; Matt. 7:13-14; 3 Nephi 14:13-14) which must be viewed in proper perspective. In the long run, we must remember that our God and Father is a successful parent, one who will save far more of his children than he will lose! If these words seem startling at first, let us reason for a moment.

In comparison to the number of wicked souls at any given time, perhaps the numbers of faithful followers seem small. But we must keep in mind how many of our spirit brothers and sisters, almost an infinite number, will be saved. What of the children who died before the age of accountability, billions of little ones from the days of Adam to the time of the Millennium?

What of the billions of those who never had the opportunity to hear the gospel message in mortality, but who afterwards received the glad tidings, this because of a disposition which hungered and thirsted after righteousness? And, might we ask, what of the innumerable hosts who qualified for exaltation, from Enoch's city, from Melchizedek's Salem, or from the golden era of the Nephites?

What of the countless billions of those children to be born during the great millennial era, during a time when disease and death have neither sting nor victory over mankind? This is that time when children shall grow up without sin unto salvation. (D&C 45:58) Given the renewed and paradisiacal state of the earth, it may well be that more persons will live on the earth during the thousand years of our Lord's reign than the combined total of all who have lived during the previous six thousand years.

Indeed who can count the number of saved beings in eternity? Our God, who is triumphant in all battles against the forces of evil, will surely be victorious in the numbers of his children who will be saved." (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, McConkie, Millet & Top, Vol. 4, pages 94-95)