What if they die before they are baptized?

The Savior declared, "Except a man be born‍ of water‍ and of‍ the Spirit, he cannot enter‍ into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)  He further clarified that the authority by which baptism was performed mattered (Luke 20:4).  Now, have you ever wondered, what if someone dies before they are baptized, or if they never even hear of Christ?  Is Jesus' statement false, or are they excluded from heaven for something outside of their control?  The first assumption would make God a liar, and the second would make Him unjust.
What if there was a third option, one which allowed the Savior to be absolutely correct about baptism, and for God to be totally just?
It would only seem Christian to be as concerned for the welfare of our departed family as we are for the living.  In the temples built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we perform proxy baptisms; allow me to explain.
First, those who enter have themselves been baptized by authority (I will go into the origin and need for authority more in another post), and as baptism is a promise to follow Christ and act in His name, they need to be keeping some of the basic laws of God (the same ones Christ taught when He walked the earth).  Then they stand in the place of someone who died without authorized baptism (often a family member) and are baptized for them.  It is then between God and that soul to decide whether or not they want that baptism; it is no more forced on them than it was when they were alive.
This beautiful experience serves at least two purposes.  First, by doing something for another that they cannot do for themselves, we are made a little better, and become more mindful of Christ.  Second, the soul that did not have the chance to choose Christ in this life is put on an equal standing with us.  What could be more Divine and loving?
This was a scenario that the ancient Christians understood.  As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:29, "Else what shall they do which are baptized for‍ the dead, if the dead rise‍ not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"  Besides, it just makes sense.  God is unchanging, and He loves every one of His children, no matter when or where they lived, and He wants all of them to choose to come live with Him again.

To learn more, visit www.mormon.org