Heavy sigh.
Here’ a clue. Where was Christ’s spirit from his death until his resurrection? Read 1 Peter 3:18-20 and 1 Peter 4:6.
If you understood the scriptures, you would know that the thief was not with Christ in heaven that day.
When Christ appeared to Mary outside the open tomb (three days AFTER His crucifixion/death), what did he say to her when she rushed toward him?
John 20:17
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; FOR I AM NOT YET ASCENDED TO MY FATHER: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Now, if the thief was in “heaven” with Christ that very day as you claim, why did Christ tell Mary he had not yet ascended to his Father?
The answer is 1 Peter 3:18-20 and 1 Peter 4:6.
Best wishes.
What you have to understand, CUH, is that there is a double-standard at work here.
Orthodox Christians are free to believe items of doctrine that seem to be contradicted by some scriptures. The doctrine of the Trinity is one such example. For them, it’s just how things are; it’s a matter of faith; and faith doesn’t have to be argued logically.
But let a Latter-Day Saint believe something that seems inconsistent with some scriptures, such as the idea that grace requires faith as well as works, and he is a heretical, blaspheming, cultist, non-Christian, brainwashed dupe to be loathed, feared, or, at best, pitied.
It’s just how things are when dealing with anti-Mormons, just as conservatives are automatic sexist, racist, bigoted homophobes in their dealings with liberals. There’s really no use becoming frustrated about it. The weather’s nice outside, the birds are singing, the children are laughing, and you are a member of the Jesus Christ’s own church. Things could certainly be worse.