Mosiah 3

Sometime ago I blogged of the teachings of Lehi -

"...the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men must repent..." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:21)

I believe that for the judgement to be just, our days much be prolonged or time lengthened sufficiently to repent...even if this extends into the world of spirits. King Benjamin adds a interesting teaching of the Savior's atonement that -

"...his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned." (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:11)

At first, one may think that salvation is a slam dunk for these, but again,even thought the atonement atoneth for these sins, a time must be provided to allow agency and repentance for a just judgement. In speaking of the world of spirits of those that had passed on, an understanding of this was revealed to President Joseph F. Smith where upon the Saviors death -

"...the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful;
19 And there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance.
20 But unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh, his voice was not raised;
21 Neither did the rebellious who rejected the testimonies and the warnings of the ancient prophets behold his presence, nor look upon his face.
22 Where these were, darkness reigned, but among the righteous there was peace..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 138:18 - 22)

President Smith then saw that -

"...from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.
31 And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel.
32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
33 These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,
34 And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 138:30 - 34)

With this revelation, it becomes clear that through the mercy and atonement of Jesus Christ as well as the justice of God, there will be a fair or just judgement -

"For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:18)

Wherefore -

"...at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil." (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:24)