I use "Deep Dark Africa" because it used to be common as a place hold for any place that was off the beaten track. Once upon a time, places in South America and Africa were thought to be backward and out of the loop because they were supposedly not as modern and in such great communication with the rest of the world.

I have chosen to use it here, though it may be offensive, because it was used in asking the question that got me thinking. I hope you will overlook this usage, and try to understand where I may be coming from.

There are many people who have a difficult time believing that baptism, belief in a given truth, etc. are required for salvation, or maybe more to the point, exaltation, because, "What about all those people in Deep, Dark Africa?"

Indeed, it is hard to believe that a loving, kind Father in Heaven (God, if need be), would hold those who didn't have a chance to accept any given truth accountable to that truth. It may just be that we humans have an over developed sense of mercy, or a corrupt sense of justice. However, I do think there is truth in the belief that Heavenly Father would not do such a thing.

I believe that this problem has a solution that is both just and merciful.

In both the old and new testament, it is repeated over and over: "God is a God of mercy" and "God is a God of justice." For example, look at all of the Psalms of David and the prophesies concerning the coming of Christ. So, our belief, even our hope, that Christ and God are merciful is well founded. The only question is whether mercy or justice have claim on those who are ignorant of commandments and requirements given to or placed upon us by God.

Romans 2:11-12
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Here, we see the beginning of the proof. Those who are ignorant of the law, through no fault of their own, are not going to be judged by the law.