Salvation Vs. Exaltation

[Ahab]

Oh I see now. You're defining an unrepentant whoremonger as a whoremonger who didn't repent before his judgment and thus had to spend some time in hell until divine justice was satisfied, and then after paying for his own sin, instead of our Lord's atonement covering it, which didn't apply because he didn't repent, after all that our Lord sent him to live with people with telestial-type intelligence/glory since he was then cleansed from that sin and all other sins he had committed which he didn't repent from which he also would have paid for by going through hell.

Yep, that's our Lord's doctrine, alright, and it would be that way for any person who didn't repent from their sins.

Now I'm thinking you're still not understanding why such a person wouldn't have a celrstial degree of intelligence/glory, because in your mind right now you're thinking that any person who is not subject to any penalty for sin must necessarily have a celestial degree of intelligence. And now I think I'd like to hear you explain your reasoning to me.

Do you believe you had a celestial degree of intelligence at the moment you were baptized to be cleansed from your sins when you were also given the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide you? And if you believe you did do you mean by that that you had just as much intelligence/glory as our Lord and our Father at that time? Well do ya, Rob?

Edited July 18, 2014 by Ahab

[djones]

It's easier to understand in car terms. Do you want the Ferrari, the Ford Focus, or the Gremlin? They are all cars and they will all get you where you need to go but you'll have a heck of a lot more fun and glory in the Ferrari. Aim for Celestial. It's just better....the end.

[Rob Osborn]

So here's another problem I see with your position. Fact is that you will never hear what you're advocating on this thread taught in General Conference, the Church teaching manuals, Gospel Doctrine, Sacrament meeting, or even in the Journal of Discourses. What you advocate is unorthodox and is not the officially endorsed plan of salvation taught throughout the Church. And I feel certain that if you were to teach such doctrine in the presence of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve you would almost certainly be called out on it, especially if you chose to use unambiguous, straightforward language. Respectfully, I'm asking you if you would kindly provide even one source, any source, that can back up the assertions you're making. Or do you admit these ideas are yours and yours alone?

As far as the temple rites are concerned, just because this earth in its present state is called a telestial kingdom doesn't mean there can't also be telestial kingdoms of a higher order that are the abode of resurrected telestial beings who are assigned there after the final judgment. The mere fact that we're told telestial beings will be visited, ministered to, and taught by terrestrial beings of a more glorious order of than their own should be enough to put this notion to rest till more is revealed.

There are obvious contradictions in our doctrine. I stand firm in my beliefs that Christ will save no soul from hell without repentance and baptism. I can back that doctrine up with a mutitude of scripture. What I refuse to believe or teach is that Christ saves the unrepentant. There is not one single scripture that states such a thing. Many LDS believe that salvation is thus some generic word to define a resurrected state. The scriptures state salvation and damnation. Everyone will either receive the one or the other. The repentant will receive salvation and the unrepentant must receive damnation in hell.

[Rob Osborn]

Oh I see now. You're defining an unrepentant whoremonger as a whoremonger who didn't repent before his judgment and thus had to spend some time in hell until divine justice was satisfied, and then after paying for his own sin, instead of our Lord's atonement covering it, which didn't apply because he didn't repent, after all that our Lord sent him to live with people with telestial-type intelligence/glory since he was then cleansed from that sin and all other sins he had committed which he didn't repent from which he also would have paid for by going through hell.

Yep, that's our Lord's doctrine, alright, and it would be that way for any person who didn't repent from their sins.

Now I'm thinking you're still not understanding why such a person wouldn't have a celrstial degree of intelligence/glory, because in your mind right now you're thinking that any person who is not subject to any penalty for sin must necessarily have a celestial degree of intelligence. And now I think I'd like to hear you explain your reasoning to me.

Do you believe you had a celestial degree of intelligence at the moment you were baptized to be cleansed from your sins when you were also given the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide you? And if you believe you did do you mean by that that you had just as much intelligence/glory as our Lord and our Father at that time? Well do ya, Rob?

No amount of suffering on our part cleanses us from sin. We could spend an eternity in hell and still be stained by our sin in the end. Suffering for sins is not what cleanses us. It is only throughbelief in Christ and reetance coupled with baptism that cleanses us from our sins. It is clear from section 76 that the whoremonger is spoken of in the present tense and not being repentant.

It is very clear that salvation comes only to the repentant who enter into baptism. This however is just a preparatory ordinance that places us on the path leading to salvation. The temple endowment contains the full path. That full path includes a walk through both telestial and terrestrial kingdoms. We learn line upon line. Christ ill not and cannot save the unrepentant whoremonger they will go into hell forever if they remain unrepentant.

[teddyaware]

There are obvious contradictions in our doctrine. I stand firm in my beliefs that Christ will save no soul from hell without repentance and baptism. I can back that doctrine up with a mutitude of scripture. What I refuse to believe or teach is that Christ saves the unrepentant. There is not one single scripture that states such a thing. Many LDS believe that salvation is thus some generic word to define a resurrected state. The scriptures state salvation and damnation. Everyone will either receive the one or the other. The repentant will receive salvation and the unrepentant must receive damnation in hell.

I also hold firm to the belief God will save no man from hell without repentance and baptism, and that includes the inheritors of the telestial kingdom...

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, (D&C 138)

 

But in our Father's house (heaven) their are many mansions, known to us as the celestial, terrestrial and telestial kingdoms. All of these kingdoms are realms within one heaven that can only be obtained through the ordinances of the Gospel.

 

58 The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, (D&C 138)

 

But just because the dead who repent and accept the vicarious ordinances performed for them are saved in heaven, that doesn't mean all will inherit the same heavenly mansion...

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. (1 Corinthians 15)

and again,

22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.

23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.

24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. (D&C 88)

and again,

29 Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.

30 And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.

31 And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.

32 And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. (D&C 88)

It is perfectly clear that verses 29 through 32 (just above) there is a descending order of the received glory of God obtained by resurrected mankind; first starting with celestial glory and then step-by-step descending through realms of lesser heavenly glory and eventually ending up with the resurrected who inherit outer darkness.

I believe where you are going wrong is you are jumping the gun by teaching, without authority to do so, that all saved beings, after being ministered to by beings of a higher order of kingdom, will eventually be able to obtain a celestial glory (also known as "kingdom jumping). While there is a certain amount of logic and appeal to this belief, we are not authorized to teach this as doctrine at this time. There will come a day when the fullness of the plan of salvation will be revealed, but that time is not yet. For now the official doctrine of the Church is that the inheritors of the telesital mansion of heaven "shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end."

In your impatience, you're putting the cart before the horse and teaching things that would be roundly condemned by the general authorities. Not because they may not ultimately turn out to be true, but because of violation of the following strict commandment:

It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. (Alma 12:9)

Edited July 19, 2014 by teddyaware

[Rob Osborn]

I also hold firm to the belief God will save no man from hell without repentance and baptism, and that includes the inheritors of the telestial kingdom...

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, (D&C 138)

 

But in our Father's house (heaven) their are many mansions, known to us as the celestial, terrestrial and telestial kingdoms. All of these kingdoms are realms within one heaven that can only be obtained through the ordinances of the Gospel.

 

58 The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, (D&C 138)

 

But just because the dead who repent and accept the vicarious ordinances performed for them are saved in heaven, that doesn't mean all will inherit the same heavenly mansion...

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. (1 Corinthians 15)

and again,

22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.

23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.

24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. (D&C 88)

and again,

29 Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.

30 And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.

31 And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.

32 And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. (D&C 88)

It is perfectly clear that verses 29 through 32 (just above) there is a descending order of the received glory of God obtained by resurrected mankind; first starting with celestial glory and then step-by-step descending through realms of lesser heavenly glory and eventually ending up with the resurrected who inherit outer darkness.

I believe where you are going wrong is you are jumping the gun by teaching, without authority to do so, that all saved beings, after being ministered to by beings of a higher order of kingdom, will eventually be able to obtain a celestial glory (also known as "kingdom jumping). While there is a certain amount of logic and appeal to this belief, we are not authorized to teach this as doctrine at this time. There will come a day when the fullness of the plan of salvation will be revealed, but that time is not yet. For now the official doctrine of the Church is that the inheritors of the telesital mansion of heaven "shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end."

In your impatience, you're putting the cart before the horse and teaching things that would be roundly condemned by the general authorities. Not because they may not ultimately turn out to be true, but because of violation of the following strict commandment:

It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. (Alma 12:9)

I always state these things to be "my beliefs" and as such use no authority when teaching such. We are all entitled to our own opinions and ideas. I believe in different glories in heaven but my idea of heaven isn't three separate worlds- it doesnt add up nor jive with most scriptures. You and I both believe that all men must repent and be baptised to be saved eternally from hell. Everyone who meets this criteria is called to the church of the Firstborn because they are begotten through Christ becoming his sons and daughters. Now, specifically, the church of the Firstborn are all those who will inhabit the celestial world.

[Rob Osborn]

My favorite teaching is the parable of the wheat and the tares because it is a parable that Christ used in his ministry while on the earth and it carried itself into latter day teachings in Joseph Smiths time and found itself into the D&C. In the parable the field is the world representing all times temporally. The wheat are the children of God- those whom Christ came to save. The tares are the children of the devil- those whom will be burned. The harvest is the end of the world which has began in these latter day times and will continue through the millennium. Harvesting the wheat is the work done in the temples where the names of the sanctified get stored in the garners (temples). After this great harvest the tares are then bound in strong bundles to be burned. This is the great last judgment where they will be cast into eternal damnation- the second death.

Now what is interesting about the wheat is that all of the wheat are stored up unto eternal life to inherit the celestial glory. Kind of interesting that in the parable only two outcomes are possible- celestial glory or cast out to hell.

Edited July 19, 2014 by Rob Osborn

[Ahab]

The reason there will always be all 3 main intelligence/glory types (telestial, terrestrial, and celestial) is because some people will not accept any more intelligence than they are willing to accept. It's not as if God can just force people to accept all of the intelligence/glory (light and truth) he has to offer. He teaches us line upon line and we can't get any more than we are ready for line by line. And intelligence is more than just absorbing information. We have to act intelligently with the information we accept so we don't do stupid things like committing sins when we know better. So if an unrepentant whoremonger doesn't learn to stop whoremongering he will remain stuck at the same intellectual level with no way around it. But that doesn't mean he will remain in hell forever because of each whoremongering incident. Even our Lord didn't suffer forever and he paid the price for every sin. So after a while the whoremonger will also be freed from hell and he won't go back to hell unless or until he whoremongers again, if he ever does, if he even has the opportunity to do it again.

Edited July 19, 2014 by Ahab

[Rob Osborn]

The reason there will always be all 3 main intelligence/glory types (telestial, terrestrial, and celestial) is because some people will not accept any more intelligence than they are willing to accept. It's not as if God can just force people to accept all of the intelligence/glory (light and truth) he has to offer. He teaches us line upon line and we can't get any more than we are ready for line by line. And intelligence is more than just absorbing information. We have to act intelligently with the information we accept so we don't do stupid things like committing sins when we know better. So if an unrepentant whoremonger doesn't learn to stop whoremongering he will remain stuck at the same intellectual level with no way around it. But that doesn't mean he will remain in hell forever because of each whoremongering incident. Even our Lord didn't suffer forever and he paid the price for every sin. So after a while the whoremonger will also be freed from hell and he won't go back to hell unless or until he whoremongers again, if he ever does, if he even has the opportunity to do it again.

I honestly believe there are three degrees of glory "within" the celestial kingdom. I just see having three separate worlds of gloru for the saved to go to after the millennium as a deal breaker- not gonna happen. Heres one reason why-

The terrestrial are those people we are told who didnt accept the gospel until the spirit world after spending some time in hell. But after paying a penalty there, accepting through faith the gospel, repenting and baptism they are allowed to leave there and enter paradise. When the millennium comes they are resurrected and reign with Christ on earth serving him building up the kingdom. So then why after a 1000 years of service to Christ and building the kingdom are they kicked off the planet at the end of the millennium? Makes no sense whatsoever.

[Ahab]

I honestly believe there are three degrees of glory "within" the celestial kingdom. I just see having three separate worlds of gloru for the saved to go to after the millennium as a deal breaker- not gonna happen. Heres one reason why-

So the main issue for you is why there are separate worlds for people with different degrees of intellect? I don't know about you but I don't want my home planet to messed up by less intelligent people, although I'm willing to visit them to try to teach them how to enjoy life as I do.

The terrestrial are those people we are told who didnt accept the gospel until the spirit world after spending some time in hell. But after paying a penalty there, accepting through faith the gospel, repenting and baptism they are allowed to leave there and enter paradise. When the millennium comes they are resurrected and reign with Christ on earth serving him building up the kingdom. So then why after a 1000 years of service to Christ and building the kingdom are they kicked off the planet at the end of the millennium? Makes no sense whatsoever.

Just realize that as long as they're ready and willing to accept all of the intelligence they've been offered then they will go on to greater intelligence/glory. If not, then they won't, and it will be because they didn't accept all that they could have accepted that they were offered.

I imagine people of other Christian religions as the ones who will not accept as much as we do.

[Rob Osborn]

So the main issue for you is why there are separate worlds for people with different degrees of intellect? I don't know about you but I don't want my home planet to messed up by less intelligent people, although I'm willing to visit them to try to teach them how to enjoy life as I do.

Just realize that as long as they're ready and willing to accept all of the intelligence they've been offered then they will go on to greater intelligence/glory. If not, then they won't, and it will be because they didn't accept all that they could have accepted that they were offered.

I imagine people of other Christian religions as the ones who will not accept as much as we do.

Do we have segregated pews at church? Why not? Certainly some are more intelligent than others. You are either in or you are not. And if you are in, all share together alike in each others presence. All that keeps us from returning to our Father in Heaven is our sins. If they are all washed away, then why the segregation? Did we all not come from Father before life? So then if we return clean are we not again in the same position as before? Edited July 19, 2014 by Rob Osborn

[Ahab]

Do we have segregated pews at church? Why not?

We have a whole world filled with different religions, Rob, with segregated pews in entirely different church buildings.

Certainly some are more intelligent than others. You are either in or you are not. And if you are in, all share together alike in each others presence. All that keeps us from returning to our Father in Heaven is our sins.

Not all who refuse to accept greater intelligence are sinning, because to sin requires that a person know sonething is a sin when they do it. Consider people who refuse to be baptized because they don't accept the intelligence that would help them to see that they need to be baptized, for example. To them not being baptized is not a sin, but they're still not doing something which would lead to more of God's blessings and greater intelligence through the gift of the Holy Ghost.

they are all washed away, then why the segregation? Did we all not come from Father before life? So then if we return clean are we not again in the same position as before?

Because not all of us accept the same degree of light and truth, which is intelligence/glory, which then means we are not equally intelligent.

[Rob Osborn]

We have a whole world filled with different religions, Rob, with segregated pews in entirely different church buildings.

Not all who refuse to accept greater intelligence are sinning, because to sin requires that a person know sonething is a sin when they do it. Consider people who refuse to be baptized because they don't accept the intelligence that would help them to see that they need to be baptized, for example. To them not being baptized is not a sin, but they're still not doing something which would lead to more of God's blessings and greater intelligence through the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Because not all of us accept the same degree of light and truth, which is intelligence/glory, which then means we are not equally intelligent.

But only members of the Church of the Firstborn are saved from hell. One church for the saved- all belonging to the same fold with one shephard.

[teddyaware]

But only members of the Church of the Firstborn are saved from hell. One church for the saved- all belonging to the same fold with one shephard.

Does the following from Apostle Bruce R. McConkie square with your understanding of the Church of the Firstborn? And if it does square, would you please show me how?

The Church of the Firstborn is the church among exalted beings in the highest heaven of the celestial world. It is the church among those for whom the family unit continues in eternity. In a sense it is the inner circle within the Lord's church on earth. It is composed of those who have entered into that patriarchal order which is called the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. As baptism admits repentant souls to membership in the earthly church, so celestial marriage opens the door to membership in the heavenly church.

The purpose of the church on earth is to prepare us for an inheritance in the church in heaven. Those who so obtain having overcome all things, shall pass by the angels and the gods and enter into their exaltation. "They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things -- they are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; and are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God -- wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's." (D&C 76:54-59.) [A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.337]

 

Edited July 19, 2014 by teddyaware

[VideoGameJunkie]

What is the female role in exaltation? Females can be exalted, but are they creators as well?

[Calm]

Don't really know...a lot would depend on what you mean by creators. We know we have a heavenly mother who was involved in creation of our spirits.

[Rob Osborn]

Does the following from Apostle Bruce R. McConkie square with your understanding of the Church of the Firstborn? And if it does square, would you please show me how?The Church of the Firstborn is the church among exalted beings in the highest heaven of the celestial world. It is the church among those for whom the family unit continues in eternity. In a sense it is the inner circle within the Lord's church on earth. It is composed of those who have entered into that patriarchal order which is called the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. As baptism admits repentant souls to membership in the earthly church, so celestial marriage opens the door to membership in the heavenly church.

The purpose of the church on earth is to prepare us for an inheritance in the church in heaven. Those who so obtain having overcome all things, shall pass by the angels and the gods and enter into their exaltation. "They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things -- they are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; and are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God -- wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's." (D&C 76:54-59.) [A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.337]

He is not pulling that strict definition from scripture. The scriptures state that everyone begotten through Christ become members of the church of the Firstborn. To be begotten means to be baptised because as such we are "born again" into righteousness becomng his sons and daughters. Everyone who belongs to tjis church alsohas their name written in heaven. Thus, all who are saved belong to the church of the Firstborn. At that point there are only two churches- the church of the Firstborn and the church of the devil.

[DBMormon]

The thread on Lucifer makes me really want to differentiate between salvation and exaltation.

 

I think pretty much everyone on this board understands the difference:

1. Salvation - to be saved (resurrected) or redeemed from death and the fall as opposed to lost (perdition) and remaining in death.

2. Exaltation - to be saved in a Celestial/Godly environment where we become like God.

 

I think pretty much everyone on this board understands the requirements for each:

1. Salvation - To fall under the atonement (where none are lost but the sons of perdition), and eventually accept of Christ all are resurrected (every knee shall bow and every tongue confess).  The wages of sin are death, so we either pay the price for our own sins to escape the grave (if that's even an option) or we accept Christ's atonement to escape the grave.

2. Exaltation - To enter into God's presence through Baptism and receive at some point all the laws  and ordinances of the gospel until we receive the highest degree and become celesital material.

 

So given these are generally accepted distinctions (with the usual semantic opinions sure to arise) why do we insist on mixing them up in our discussions and applying one when we mean the other?

And why do we not apply these distinct definitions to related doctrines and use specificity in scripture reading?

 

I am one who doesn't agree.  Elder McConkie and Gerald Lund restated that Salvation as used in the scriptures is the same as exaltation.  While there may be two different ideas (one being resurrected and immortal and the other living with God eternally) and while we have given them different names.  We also must steer clear of using bad assumptions and false dichotomies.  Please see the reference below as he hits the nail on the head IMHO

 

 

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1981/04/salvation-by-grace-or-by-works?lang=eng

 

Inadequate Explanations

There are two different ways in which Church members typically seek to synthesize Paul’s teachings with Latter-day Saint theology. The first suggests that by “the law” Paul means only the law of Moses. Without a doubt, there is merit in this. There was a tendency among some Jewish Christians to insist that Christianity still required obedience to Mosaic principles such as circumcision, the dietary laws, and the observance of certain festivals. Paul combats that doctrine strongly, saying that no matter how strictly a person kept the law of Moses, it of itself would not bring salvation. The power of salvation comes only through Christ because of his atonement.

However, to limit Paul’s meaning to the law of Moses alone would not be quite accurate. Paul rejects the adequacy of the Mosaic code in and of itself for salvation, but he makes it broader than that too. For example, in warning the Ephesians about concluding that a man is saved by works, he makes no reference to the law: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourself: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8–9.) So while this explanation is somewhat correct, it does not go far enough.

The second typical explanation goes something like this: The fall of Adam brought two kinds of death into the world—physical death, which is the separation of body and spirit, and spiritual death, which is separation of man from God. The atonement of Christ overcame physical death through the Resurrection. This is salvation by grace because it comes to all men automatically and does not depend on what kinds of lives they have lived. But, if we wish to overcome spiritual death and enter back into God’s presence, we must be obedient to laws and principles. This is exaltation by works. Thus, according to this explanation, we are saved by grace andexalted by works.

This is an appealing explanation because it seems to provide a logical argument that fits the statements of Paul neatly into it. However, there is a doctrinal error involved here. While the resurrection of the dead is certainly an integral part of the plan of salvation, and is unconditional and independent of men’s works, the term salvation as used in the scriptures does not mean physical resurrection alone. As Elder Bruce R. McConkie has pointed out, salvation is synonymous with exaltation:

“Salvation in its true and full meaning is synonymous with exaltation oreternal life and consists in gaining an inheritance in the highest of the three heavens within the celestial kingdom. With few exceptions this is the salvation of which the scriptures speak. It is the salvation which the saints seek.” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 670.)

Those who are uncomfortable with Paul’s statements about grace and salvation should bear in mind that the same teachings are found in other scripture as well. Nephi, for example, nearly echoes Paul’s words to the Ephesians when he says, “For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Ne. 25:23). And Lehi’s explanation of the Atonement to Jacob is remarkably similar to Paul’s explanation of justification by faith in Romans 3 [Rom. 3], even down to the phrase “by the law no flesh is justified” (see 2 Ne. 2:5). Likewise, the Doctrine and Covenants points out that both justification and sanctification come by grace (see D&C 20:30–31).

How, then, are the principles of grace and works to be understood in relationship to each other? To come to that understanding we must first look at some related concepts—the concepts of sin and transgression, of justice, and of the Fall.

 

Edited July 20, 2014 by DBMormon