God is merciful and gracious. He bestows upon individuals and nations that degree of eternal light which they are equipped and prepared to receive. He is the Father and God of all men and women of all ages and all cultures, and his love for them is as great as it is for the Christian nations or the Latter-day Saints.
It is a doctrine of the true Church that the Almighty has granted portions of his light to such notables as Socrates, Confucius Buddha, the Reformers, and to many, many others, in order that whole nations might be lifted to higher standards of living. Ultimately, of course, there is only one standard—the gospel standard; and God will provide an opportunity for every soul to receive the fulness of the everlasting gospel either in this world or in the world to come. (See-First Presidency Message, 15 February 1978; see also Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 31.)