It's your future. Are you gambling that the words of your prophet, or a "burning In the bosom" feeling, are somehow going to count more than what God has said through the writers of the Bible? Do you believe the teaching that you can earn forgiveness from God for the wrongs you've done (or is this a clever trap that will cost you eternal life?)? Can you become a God, In spite of Isaiah 43:10? If your answers are "Yes," please read this paper. Don't gamble on where you'll spend forever.
(James 2:17, etc , Is discussed on side 2)

(1) The FIRST KIND of L.D.S. salvation is what Bruce McConkie calls "Unconditional or general salvation" (Mormon Doctrine  pps. 669,670). This Is being resurrected and redeemed from the devil. Even unbelievers are supposed to be saved In this sense (except "sons of perdition" (Articles of Faith, Talmage, p. 85, D. & C. 76:31-39). "Everybody" goes to one of three "kingdoms of glory" better than life on earth. This is strange. Jesus taught that most people are on the road to destruction, and few find life (Matthew 7:13,14). IS DESTRUCTION A KINGDOM OF GLORY? "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night,.." (Rev. 14:11"), referring to perhaps 2-4 billion people In Revelation in 13:8 (Not  Just "sons of perdition"). IS THIS A KINGDOM TOO?

Christ's atonement doesn't provide resurrection for unbelievers, but remission of sins for those that do believe (Matthew 26:28, Acts 10:43, 20:28, John 6:40,53-56). Jesus did not have to suffer horribly to provide a resurrection to damnation (John 5:29). A favorite L.D.S. proof text is I Corinthians 15:22 (For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive). The next verse explains that the "all" who will be made alive are ",,,they that are Christ's at his comings" Only Christians are Christ's (I Cor. 3:23, Gal. 3 6,29). Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all (I Timothy 2:5), but not all are willing to accept that gift for forgiveness of sins (Many make the fatal mistake of trying to earn It, while rejecting God's way by faith alone (Titus 3:5, Eph. 2:8,9, Ro. 4:6).

(2) The SECOND KIND of salvation McConkie discusses Is individual salvation. This is supposed to come by grace plus obedience to the gospel. Let's do some comparing:
 

"For what the law could not do. In that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son..." (Romans 8:3}. ",,,preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justifled by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38,39)
The 3rd L.D.S. article of faith claims, "..mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."

But the saving Gospel does not have a single law or ordinance In It!
(see I Cor. 15:1-4). It's called "..the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)
"Grace" is undeserved kindness, not works (Rom. 11:6).

Gospel" means "good news."  The law of Moses was bad news if you tried to get eternal life by obeying It, because you had to keep every commandment (James; 2:10).  This was Impossible! (Rom. 3:20, Gal. 2:16, 3:11)   "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,.." (Gal. 3:13). WERE WE FREED FROM THE CURSE OF MOSAIC LAW, JUST SO GOD COULD DRAG US BACK UNDER THE CURSE-OF ANOTHER LAW?  GOD FORBID!  (check Acts 15:5-11 Even in the Old Testament, only faith brought eternal life. "..but the just shall live by his faith." (Habakkuk 2:4, cf. Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11)  What did the law do then?   For one thing, ".. .the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might, be justified by  faith (Gal. 3:24).  Some Galatians who were trying to be justified by law, had fallen from grace (ibid. 5:4) and were called "foolish" (ibid. 5:1,5).  Are you a slave to Mormon Law?  Be free today, by a true, saving faith.

  It's good news that Christ did for us, what we couldn't do for ourselves.   The blood from the sacrifice of His body pays for the sins of all who believe (Rom. 3:25).  He died, but He didn't stay dead!  God did His part.  Your part Is to put 'faith totally In what He has done.  BEWARE THE DEADLY PRIDE OF WORKS THAT WILL CHEAT YOU OUT OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS. Luke 18:10-14, Eph. 2:8,9)   Christians should do good works (Ephesians 2:10), for right reasons (Titus 3:8), but not for forgiveness of sins (Titus 3:5).  Do you want God to forgive you the wrongs you've done?  Throw yourself on God's mercy like the man in Luke 18: 13,14.  Admit to God right now that you can't save yourself.  Come by faith (Luke 7:50).

SOME VERSES THE LD.S. CHURCH USES TO TRY TO PROVE "WORKS FOR SALVATION"

JAMES 2:17  "Even so faith. If It hath not works. Is dead, being alone."
    It's good to remember, "Faith alone saves, but a saving faith Is never alone." Do you know that there are two kinds of faith?  In the context of James 2:19,  we see that James is talking about an Intellectual faith;  "...the demons also believe, and tremble."  Even demons know there is only one God (or God is one, 2:19).  They tremble, because they know they are programmed for the lake of fire and brimstone (see Matt. 8:28,29, 25:41).   This "head knowledge" Isn't going to save anyone.  But in Romans 10:10 we read;  "FOR WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS; "  Only men  can trust In Christ as Savior with their hearts (or Inner being). This kind of faith will eventually result In true works of faith.  You could say that Abraham was justified before men by works, after he offered up Isaac (see 2:21).  But he was justified before God  by faith,  before Isaac was even born (Gen. 15:6, Rom. 4:2-9,16-22, Gal. 3:6). Jesus had praise for the sinner woman's works in Luke 7:44-46, but He told her, "... Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." (7:50)

MATTHEW 7:21  "Not every one that saith unto me. Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which Is In heaven."
    Jesus said, "And this Is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and belleveth on him. may have everlasting life:.." (John 6:40).  Also, John 6:28,29, "Then said they unto him. What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them.  This is the work 21 God.  that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."  A real belief is what God is looking for.  Some might quote Hebrews 5:9, "...eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"   Context 18 Important,  "...but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith In them that heard It.   For we who have believed do enter Into rest,.." (4:2,3).  "Now the lust shall live by faith..." (10:38)  "..became heir of the righteousness which Is by faith." (11:7) Sometimes the word "obey" Is used In the sense of "to believe." "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esalas saith. Lord, who hath believed our report?  So then faith... " (Born. 10:16,17).

ACTS 2:38  "Then Peter said unto them.  Repent,  and be baptized every one of you  In the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the....
    "for" comes from the Greek word "eis"  It expresses purpose or aim,  or It can mean "the basis of," as In Matthew 10:41 (In the name of), and in Matthew 12:41 (at the preaching of).   When you take an aspirin for a headache.  It's not to get a headache; but it's because you've already got one. You get salvation by faith. Your heart is cleansed by faith (Acts 15:9),  through the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5, I Cor. 6:11).  Water baptism is an outward symbol, of an inward cleansing.   Also, realize that Peter was preaching to Jews who were "responsible" for crucifying Christ (Acts 2:36,37).  His message didn't apply to the Gentile convert Cornelius, and his household!  To them he said, "...through his name whosoever believeth in. him shall receive remission oi sins." (10:43)  They received the gift of the Holy Ghost before baptism (44-477, not after(Acts 2:38).   Jews are also cleansed by faith (15:9,11). Paul was thankful for not baptizing some (I C. 1:14). Why? See 15,17.

    Some say "water" in JOHN 3:5 means baptism.  PLEASE NOTE; (1)  "Water" doesn't always mean ordinary water (4:14, 7:38,39). (2) You must be born again to see the kingdom of God (3:3).  Nicodemus was the teacher of Israel, and should have known the Old Testament, but he didn't understand what Jesus meant (3:10).  Did Jesus expect him to understand Ezekiel 36:25-27? God Himself will sprinkle clean water on the Jews to make them clean; put a new heart In them, and put His Spirit within them.  This Isn't baptism by Immersion ~ It's God making them new.  Jesus was telling him of heavenly things (John 3:12).  Water sprinkling was an Old Testament purification rite (Num. 8:7, 19:20).  Water could symbolize the word, because the word purifies,  Jesus said, "Now ye are clean  through the word  which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3)  "Being born again,.. by the word of God (I Peter 1:23) (also see John 17:17, Eph. 5:26).  The real stress in John 3  Is being born of the Spirit (3:6,8), and of believing (not being baptized) for everlasting life (3:15-16,36, cf 18)

    In ACTS 22:16, It's the "calling on His name, " that results In remission of sins (see Acts 2:21, Rom. 10:13, I Cor.6:11).  Not believing, is what condemns in Mark 16:16.

REVELATION 20:13  "...and they were judged every man according to their works."

   NO CHRISTIAN IS GOING TO BE AT THIS JUDGMENT!   Christians are resurrected and judged before the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth (20:4-6, cf. I Peter 4:17). They're judged by works for rewards. not salvation (I Cor. 3:11-15). Salvation isn't earned, it's a gift to those who have true faith In Christ (Eph. 2:8,9).    Unbelievers are judged after this 1,000 years (20:7-15)7  They're judged by works. with salvation at stake.  There are several different groups of people at this great white throne judgment.   Those who rejected Christ are already condemned (John 3:18). "Works" are the evidence at the trial that will prove them deserving of the lake of fire (see Matthew 12:36~7). All those who tried to earn righteousness by works of the law, will be condemned also (Romans 3:20, 9:30-33, 10: 1-4, Galatlans 3:10,11).  The law's standards were just ~oo high.  Their works won't measure up.   Those who had no law and sinned, will perish (Romans 2:12).   How many sinned? "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Rom. 3:23).  God does make an allowance for Ignorance up to Paul's time (Acts 17:30). In the final analysis. It must be said that nobody goes to the lake of fire, wh'o doesn't deserve It. God Is .-just (Ro. 3:26).

(3)  The THIRD KIND of L.D.S. salvation Is exaltation (progressing to become a god over another planet, etc.).  This Is totally Impossible,  "...understand that I am he:   BEFORE ME THERE WAS NO GOD FORMED. NEITHER SHALL THERE BE AFTER ME." (Isaiah 43:10)   God is God already over every planet (No vacancies available). See De. 4:39, I Kings 8:23, Neh. 9:6.

Suppose I offered you a $100 gift, and you kept saying, "Oh no, I've got to earn It." You could be Insulting me, and accusing me of lying.   Are you doing that to God, by refusing to accept His free gift of eternal life through faith?  Are you trying to earn righteousness In the sight of God?  You can't.  God gives It to you, and forgives your sins on one condition. That's putting faith totally in Christ, not partly In your own good works (Gal. 3:10,11).  Come to God, His way.  Do It today.  I hope this paper has been a real help to you.

For further information, help, or questions:
TRUTH P.O.Box 502 Lancaster NY 14086

INTERNET: mailto:preacher@streetpreaching.net  http://www.streetpreaching.net