MORMONISM - FORGIVENESS OF SIN AND EXALTATION
By John Farkas
This article address two major related
subjects, "What does the Mormon church teach about sin and its forgiveness?" and
"What must a Mormon do in this life to reach the top level of the celestial
kingdom, reaching exaltation, becoming a God?" The understanding of each
together is important for understanding an important part of Mormonism. I
realize this makes this article unusually long (12 pages), but this combination
is necessary to properly address the subjects.
In my ministry activities I often speak to
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, abbreviated LDS
church, LDS, also called Mormons. Some LDS have told me that they knew they were
saved, they were going to spend eternity with God when they die. But what does
this mean? Is it the same as an historical Christian's understanding of
salvation? What does their church teach about spending eternity with the Father
and the Son and what must they do to obtain this? What is the concept of heaven,
sin and the forgiveness of sin that is taught by the Mormon church? How do these
teachings compare to what the Bible teaches?
Adding confusion to this subject is that not
all LDS really know what their church teaches on this subject. Terminology can
also add to misunderstanding. As you read the information below note that I
extensively use quotes by top Mormon leaders, from teaching manuals published by
the Mormon church and from their Scriptures.. Those LDS who do not agree with
what is shown must be required to back up what they say by similar sources, and
not just unsupported personal opinion. Such opinion is interesting, but it has
no authority within the Mormon church.
Heaven according to the LDS church:
The LDS church teaches that there are four
levels in our afterlife. A teaching manual says:
At the final judgment we will be assigned to the kingdom we
have earned. We will be sent to one of four places: the celestial kingdom,
which is the highest degree of glory; the terrestrial kingdom, the middle
degree; the telestial kingdom, which is the lowest degree of glory; outer
darkness, which is the kingdom of the devil and is not a degree of glory.
(Gospel Principles, pages 297-298) [1] (this an end
note)
This same LDS church teaching manual, Gospel
Principles, pages 297-298, goes on to tell us that those in the celestial
kingdom will dwell with the Father and Son. Those in the next lower level, the
terrestrial kingdom, will only be visited by Jesus Christ, but not by the Father
The other levels are not visited by either one. The Holy Ghost does visit the
Telestial level. From this same manual we learn that the celestial glory
[kingdom] also has three levels. "The Lord has said: ‘In the celestial glory
there are three levels or degrees.....'" (Gospel Principles, page
242. Pages 297 and 301 have similar ideas.)
The top level of the three, the highest, in
the celestial kingdom is called exaltation. This means that the
person at this level will become a "god," with everything that our
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have. Gospel Principles says,
We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is
exaltation....
2. They [people] will become
gods
3. ... and will be able to have spirit
children also. These spirit children will have the same relationship to them
as we do to our Heavenly Father. They will be an eternal family.
...
5. They will have everything that our
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have, all power, glory, dominion, and
knowledge. (Gospel Principles, page 302)
How Do We Qualify To Enter The Lowest Level of The Celestial
Kingdom?
The big question
should be, "How do we qualify to enter the celestial kingdom (where the Father
and Son dwell), even the first level, according to the LDS church? Let me first
respond to what is needed to enter the first level of the celestial kingdom. The
answer is, "No top LDS leader seems to know the details." But it does appear
that not being married for time and eternity is one reason. I searched
dozens and dozens of LDS references and could not find a detailed answer. In the
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, apostle and soon to be president Spencer
Kimball and apostle Bruce R. McConkie seem to agree but they give no details (as
shown below) as to what someone must not do to become a ministering angel. But
what ever must be done, must be done in this life, as will be shown
below. There is no second chance for those that had the opportunity while on
this earth, while among the living.
There is no scriptural explanation of those who go to the
two lower categories of the Celestial Kingdom except that they "are not gods,
but are angels of God forever and ever," ministering servants who "remain
separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all
eternity" (D&C 132:16-17). (Encyclopedia of
Mormonism, [2] Vol.1, page 368, under "Degrees of
Glory")
A different usage of the term "angel" is applied to those
who, because they have not obeyed the principles of the new and everlasting
covenant of marriage, do not qualify for exaltation but remain separately
and singly as ministering angels without exaltation in their saved condition
for all eternity (D&C 132:16-17). (Encyclopedia of
Mormonism, Vol.1, page 41, under "Angels")
These sources express a similar idea: Conference Report, by Bruce
R. McConkie, April 1957, page 20; Mormon Doctrine, by apostle
Bruce R. McConkie, page 670; The Miracle of Forgiveness, by apostle
Spencer W. Kimball, page 247.
Brigham Young, the second president and prophet
of the LDS church, described another way to reach the celestial kingdom, while
not meeting all the qualifications.
Excuse me for referring to myself. But I know that
there is no man on this earth who can call around him property, be he a
merchant, tradesman, or farmer, with his mind continually occupied with: "How
shall I get this or that; how rich can I get; or, how much can I get out of
this brother or from that brother?" and [sic] dicker and work, and take
advantage here and there—no such man ever can magnify the priesthood nor enter
the celestial kingdom. Now, remember, they will not enter that kingdom; and
if they happen to go there, it will be because somebody takes them by the
hand, saying, "I want you for a servant;" or, "Master, will you let this man
pass in my service?" "Yes, he may go into your service; but he is not fit for
a lord, nor a master, nor fit to be crowned;" and if such men get there, it
will be because somebody takes them in as servants.
(Journal of Discourses, Vol. 11, page 297, Brigham Young,
)
Everything I have read, as shown
below, has said that obedience to all the commandments all of the time
was needed to enter the top level of the celestial kingdom. Top leaders of the
LDS church speak frequently on the importance of the temple ceremonies. If a LDS
ignores even one of these temple teachings they are not obeying all of the
commandments all of the time. So how can they even make the celestial kingdom?
Brigham Young had one possible answer. Another possibility - a single
person who was never married or a person whose spouse was never a LDS might fall
into such a category.
What Is Needed To Enter The Top Level Of The Celestial
Kingdom?
What follows is
just a small sample of the dozens and dozens of references I found in answer to
this question. But not many of them are very specific. The LDS teaching manual,
Gospel Principles, answers this question.
The following are the kinds of lives we can chose to live
and the kingdoms our choices will obtain for us.
Celestial
"They are they who received the
testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized....That by
keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their
sins, and receive the Holy Spirit." These are they who overcome the
world by their faith. These are they who are just and true so that the
Holy Ghost can seal their blessings upon them (see D&C 76:51-53). Those
who inherit the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, who become gods, must
also have been married for eternity in the temple (see D&C 131:1-4). All
who inherit the celestial kingdom will live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus
Christ forever and ever (see D&C 76:62). (Gospel Principles, pages
296-297)
Note the words, "by keeping the
commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins." This
seems to be saying that our following the commandments removes our sin. There
will be more on this below. But first, what do other Mormon sources say about
how one enters the celestial kingdom?
CELESTIAL KINGDOM
... An inheritance in this glorious kingdom is gained
by complete obedience to gospel or celestial law. (D. & C. 88:16-32.)
By entering the gate of repentance and baptism candidates find themselves on
the strait and narrow path leading to the celestial kingdom. By devotion
and faithfulness, by enduring to the end in righteousness and obedience, it is
then possible to merit a celestial reward. (2 Ne. 31:17-21.)
No unclean thing can enter this kingdom, and
the plan of salvation is the system whereby men are washed and cleansed,
whereby they are "sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost," and
thus enabled to stand spotless before the Lord. (3 Ne. 27:19-21.) "The
sanctified" are "them of the celestial world." (D. & C. 88:2.)
(Mormon Doctrine, page 116, by Mormon Apostle Bruce R.
McConkie,)
In this note, "is gained by complete
obedience to gospel or celestial law." This is what the above Gospel
Principles quote seems to also say. Also note "By devotion and faithfulness,
by enduring to the end in righteousness and obedience, it is then possible to
merit a celestial reward" and "whereby they are sanctified." Other Mormon
sources said the following.
Notwithstanding the fact that we are members of his
Church we will not obtain an inheritance in the celestial kingdom except on
condition that we follow the course that he has charted. Each of the Ten
Commandments is a beacon warning us of danger. The Word of Wisdom is a beacon
for our guidance and protection, as are all the counsels of the Lord to us. If
we are living as we know that we should we are entitled to the whispering of a
still small voice calling attention to danger saying this is the pathway of
safety, walk ye in it. We are not in that pathway when we profane, when we
disobey the Lord's command to keep the Sabbath Day holy or when we are unjust
to one another. If we have erred in our conduct the voice will whisper to
us "turn back, you have made a mistake; you have disregarded the advice of
your Heavenly Father." Turn from the error of your way while there is yet
time, for if you go too far from the right path you will not hear the voice
and you may be hopelessly lost and be wrecked, even as the pilot and his
precious cargo were when they lost their way. (Conference Report, by
Mormon apostle George Albert Smith, October 1937, page 52)
The question is frequently asked, "Can we not be saved
without going through with all those ordinances? I would answer, No, not the
fulness of salvation. Jesus said, There are many mansions in my Father's
house, and I will go and prepare a place for you. House here named should have
been translated kingdom; and any person who is exalted to the highest
mansion has to abide a celestial law, and the whole law too.... How many
will be able to abide a celestial law, and go through and receive their
exaltation, I am unable to say..... (Teachings of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, page 331; also see History of the Church, Vol.
6, page 184)
The following references have similar
teachings: Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, page 337; Journal of
Discourses, Vol. 26, page 350, John Taylor; Mormon
Doctrine, by Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie, page 117; Mormon
Doctrine, by Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie, page 331; Encyclopedia of
Mormonism, Vol. 1, page 260. I have purposely given many references to show
that obedience to all of the commandments all of the time in this life was a
mandatory requirement for entrance into the top level of the celestial
kingdom.
What Does It Mean To Live The Law Of The Gospel And
celestial law? [3]
From Gospel Principles we have a detailed list of what is needed in this
life to enter the top level of the celestial kingdom.
The time to fulfill the requirements of exaltation [4]
is now (see Alma 34:32-34). President
Joseph Fielding Smith said, "In order to obtain the exaltation we must accept
the gospel [5] and all its covenants; and take upon us the obligations
which the Lord has offered; and walk in the light and understanding of the
truth; and `live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of
God'" (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:43).
To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ
and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in him must
be such that we repent of our sins and obey his commandments.
He commands us all to receive certain
ordinances:
1. We must be baptized and
confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.
2. We must receive the laying on of hands for the gift of
the Holy Ghost.
3. We must receive the
temple endowments.
4. We must be married
for time and all eternity.
In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the
Lord commands all of us to -
1. Love and
worship God.
2. Love our
neighbor.
3. Repent of our wrong
doings.
4. Live the law of
chastity.
5. Pay honest tithes and
offerings.
6. Be honest in our dealings
with others and with the Lord.
7. Speak
the truth always.
8. Obey the Word of
Wisdom. [6]
9. Search out
our kindred dead and perform the saving ordinances of the gospel for them.
[7]
10. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
[8]
11. Attend our Church meetings as
regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of
the sacrament.
12. Love our family members and
strengthen them in the ways of the Lord.
13.
Have family and individual prayers every day.
14. Honor our parents.
15. Teach the gospel to
others by word and example.
16. Study the
scriptures.
17. Listen to and obey the words
of the prophets of the Lord. [9]
Finally, each of us needs to receive the Holy Ghost
and learn to follow his direction in our individual lives.
(Gospel Principles, page 303-304)
What Is
Sin?
Now that we
understand what the LDS after life is and what must be done to reach exaltation
let us look at the LDS definition of sin.
During this time [ our life time] we all sin... In the
Bible we read that "there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good,
and sinneth not" Ecclesiastes 7:20). and "if we say that we have no sin we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us: (1 John 1:8).
What is sin? The Apostle James said: "To him
that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:7).
Another apostle described sin as "all unrighteousness" ( 1John
5:17). (Gospel Principles, page 122)
Sin is willful wrongdoing. James indicates that
it can also be the willful failure to do right: "Therefore to him that knoweth
to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (4:17). Sin is transgression
of the law (1 Jn. 3:4), but one is not held responsible for sins against a law
that one has not had opportunity to know. Orson F. Whitney, an apostle,
explained:
"Sin is the transgression of
divine law, as made known through the conscience or by revelation."
(Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 3, page
1314)
In summary "sin" is not doing what God wants
us to do, it is missing the mark that God has set for us, the standard He wants
us to live by. Christians certainly would agree with the above LDS definition.
They are clearly biblical. To a LDS it must be not doing some of those items of
what is needed in this life to enter the top level of the celestial
kingdom.
How Does The Mormon Church Handle Sin
In the first quote above under the heading,
"What Is Needed To Enter The Top Level Of The Celestial Kingdom?" The phrase in
the reference Gospel Principles was noted "by keeping the
commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins." I
said, "This seems to be saying that our following the commandments removes our
sin." The Mormon church teaches that sin is removed by proper repentance and not
doing any sin again. Gospel Principles discusses this subject this
way.
We accept Christ's atonement by repenting of our sins,
being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and obey his
commandments. In this way we are cleansed from sin and become worthy to
return and live forever with our Heavenly Father. ...Christ did his part to
atone for our sins. Each of us must repent and obey to make Christ's atonement
effective in our lives. (Gospel Principles, page 75)
We Must Recognize Our
Sin
The first step on the road to repentance is
to admit to ourselves that we have sinned. If we do not admit to ourselves
that we have done wrong, we cannot repent... Our sincere sorrow should
lead us to forsake (stop) our sinning. If a person has stolen, he will steal
no more. If he has lied, he will lie no more. If we committed adultery,
he will stop this evil practice. The Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
"by this ye may know if a man repents of his sins - behold, he will confess
them and forsake them." (D&C 58:43) ...In addition, serious sins, such
as adultery, fornication, and robbery, which might affect our standing in the
Church must be confessed to the proper priesthood authority.... The Lord will
not forgive us unless our hearts are fully cleansed of all hate, bitterness,
and bad feelings against our fellowmen.....
We
Must Keep The Commandments Of God
To make
our repentance complete we must keep the commandments of the Lord (see
D&C 1:32)...."...Repentance means not only convict yourselves of the
horror of the sin, but to confess it, abandon it, and restore to all who have
been damaged to the total extent possible; then spend the balance of your
lives trying to live the commandments of the Lord so he can eventually pardon
you and cleanse you"( The Miracle of Forgiveness, p.
200) (Gospel Principles, pages
124-126)
Note the clear statements, "To make our
repentance complete we must keep the commandments of the Lord"- "so he can
eventually pardon you and cleanse you." These clearly show that the LDS
version of the forgiveness of sin is more a function of our "doing" so that
Jesus might eventually forgive the sinner. Soon to be president of the
Mormon church, Spencer W. Kimball said it this way.
....even though forgiveness is so abundantly promised,
there is no promise nor indication of forgiveness to any soul who does not
totally repent...We can hardly be too forceful in reminding people that
they cannot sin and be forgiven and then sin again and again and expect
forgiveness" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 353,
360).
Two Mormon Scriptures have a similar
message.
And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not
lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that
soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God.
(D&C 82:7)
And the brother of Jared repented of the evil which he
had done, and did call upon the name of the Lord for his brethren who were
with him. And the Lord said unto him: I will forgive thee and thy brethren of
their sins; but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my
Spirit will not always strive with man; wherefore, if ye will sin until ye are
fully ripe ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And these
are my thoughts upon the land which I shall give you for your inheritance; for
it shall be a land choice above all other lands. (Ether
2:15)
In these references note the "We can hardly
be too forceful in reminding people that they cannot sin and be forgiven and
then sin again and again and expect forgiveness" (The Miracle of
Forgiveness, p. 353). Those who receive forgiveness and then repeat
the sin are held accountable for their former sins." This is not the way the
Bible handles sin.
How Does The Bible Handle Sin?
The information above clearly shows that the
Mormon church teaches that complete obedience to the Mormon "gospel," now, in
this life, is a necessary part of entering the top level of the celestial
kingdom. Let us see what the Bible says about the forgiveness of sin and
spending eternity with God.
The Bible is very clear that there is only one way to heaven - Jesus Christ is
the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) and he is the door to our salvation
(John 10:9; Rev 3:20).
"For Christ is the end of the law for
righteousness to every one that believeth." (Romans 10:4)
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.....If we confess [10] our sins, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:7,9)
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of
whom I am chief." (1 Timothy 1:15)
We know of
nothing in the Bible (or even the Book of Mormon) that says the faithful and
honest confessed and repentant sinner will eventually be ignored by God. When
the apostles asked if they should forgive someone seven times, Jesus said:
"seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:21-22). I suspect that God will treat us the
same way. In fact the Bible says God will not remember our sins.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour,
and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I
will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
(Jeremiah 31:34)
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions
for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah
43:25)
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he
removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12)
Only By The Grace [11] Of God, Through Faith, Are We Forgiven And
Saved!
To Mormons this is
one of the most difficult ideas to understand. They believe they have to
work their way to spend eternity with God.
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us
together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)...For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of
works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:5, 8
[12])
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11)
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling,
not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and
grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2
Timothy 1:9)
But the Book
of Mormon nullifies this concept:
...for we know that it is by grace we are saved,
after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25:23)
And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be
baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel,
or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. (2 Nephi 9:23)
Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and
deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny
yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and
strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his
grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect
in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. (Moroni 10:32)
3 We believe that through the atonement of Christ,
all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of
the Gospel. (The Articles Of Faith, at the end of the Pearl of Great
Price)
Can any of us always do all we can? Do
we always have perfect faith? Can we deny ourselves of all ungodliness and love
God with all our mind, might and strength day after day, year after year and
decade after decade without slip up? Yet this is what Moroni 10:32 requires.
There are two key words in this verse, both are underlined. Note the first one,
"if." Following this "if" starts the details of what must be done. Now note the
second one, "then." This is a qualifier. If what must be done, is done, then
what follows will take place. A person according to this verse must first deny
themselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and
strength and only once this is done does the Mormon god grant his grace. If a
person can do all of the "if" then why do they need the Mormon god's
grace?
Do We Only Have To Just Say The Words "We
Believe"?
Not
understanding grace, Mormons will be incredulous, and maybe even ridicule the
idea. They might say: "You mean all you have to do is say the right words, and
then it is okay to live a life of sin?" The Apostle Paul experienced the
same question. He answered it in his epistle to the Romans:
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are
not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are
not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom
ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;
whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be
thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the
heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free
from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans
6:14-17)
The apostle expands
on this further on in his letter to the Romans:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(Romans 10:9-10)
Paul makes it clear that not only must
each of us tell people that Christ is our Lord and Savior, we must also believe
it in our heart. The belief in our hearts will then lead us to live the Savior's
commandments, to want to please him.
What Then Is The Role Of Good Works?
Some also think that the grace of God means
that we don't have to do good works. This is totally wrong. Jesus Christ said,
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15). We do good works because we
love Jesus and to show Him how grateful we are for what He did for us. Good
works are a result of our salvation, not to get salvation. James said, "Even so
faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:17). Two biblical
verses also show how our works come about if indeed we have let Jesus Christ be
our Lord and Savior. Even our works are from God.
In these
verses note the, "For we are his workmanship" and "For it is God which worketh
in you." These ideas are consistent with what Ephesians 2:9-8 tells us.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man
should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)
In these verses first
note the, "For by grace are ye saved through faith" and then, "not of works,
lest any man should boast." We are not saved in any way by our works. We are
saved only by our faith in Jesus Christ so that we cannot boast how our works
help save us. But works are a vital part of our lives once we are
saved. We show our love for our Lord and Saviour by them. They demonstrate
that God is working in us.
We Are Justified By Jesus Christ.
Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie makes it clear
that the burden is all on the Mormon:
What then is the law of justification?...... As with all
other doctrines of salvation, justification is available because of the
atoning sacrifice of Christ, but it becomes operative in the life of an
individual only on conditions of personal righteousness. (Mormon
Doctrine, by Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, on page 408, under
"Justification")
Thankfully
the Bible has a different message! We are justified by the death and blood
of Jesus Christ. In other words we are found "not guilty," we are
acquitted, declared righteous, and made sinless and holy before God. (New
Bible Dictionary, Tyndale House, Wheaton, Il., 1962, page 646). The
Bible says:
And by him all that believe are justified from all
things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts
13:39)
Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus...Therefore we conclude that a man is
justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:24, 28)
That being justified by his grace, we should be
made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus
3:7)
Romans 5:1, 9, 8:30, 1 Corinthians 6:11,
Galatians 2:16, 17, 3:11, 3:24 also say the same thing.
We Are Sanctified By Jesus Christ
Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie continues to
place the burden on Mormons:
To be sanctified is to become clean, pure, and
spotless; to be free from the blood and sins of the world; to become a new
creature of the Holy Ghost, one whose body has been renewed by the rebirth of
the Spirit. Sanctification is a state of saintliness, a state attained only
by conformity to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. The plan of
salvation is the system and means provided whereby men may sanctify their
souls and thereby become worthy of a celestial inheritance....Those who
are faithful in magnifying their callings in the Melchizedek Priesthood "are
sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies." (D. & C.
84:33.)...Sanctification is a personal reward that follows personal
righteousness. (Mormon Doctrine, by Mormon Apostle Bruce R.
McConkie, on page 675-676, under "Sanctification")
The biblical message again is different.
Sanctification "concerns the moral and spiritual transformation of the justified
believer who is regenerated, given new life by God". (New Bible Dictionary, page
1069, Tyndale House, Wheaton, Il., 1962, page 1069). The Bible teaches that
perfection, now, in this life, is possible through the sanctification of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them
that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that
in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and
ours (1 Corinthians 1:2)
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye
are sanctified, but ye are justified [acquitted] in the name of the Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them
that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of
James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in
Jesus Christ, and called (Jude 1:1)
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the
word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness
of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is
in me. (Acts 26:18)
We Can Know Now That We
Are Saved And Have Eternal Life!
Many Mormons do not feel they can know where
they will spend eternity, so it is possible you will get disagreement here
also. In reading the verses below note carefully that the tenses of the
verbs are in the present time frame. We can know now where
we will spent eternity.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life...He that believeth on the Son [13] hath everlasting
life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath
of God abideth on him. (John 3:16, 36)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my
word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and
shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John
5:24)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me
hath everlasting life.....Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,
hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:47,
54)
These things have I written unto you that believe on
the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,
and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13
[14])
1 Corinthians 1:18, 2 Timothy 1:9, Romans
8:24 and 1 Corinthians 15:2 say the same thing.
There Is Only One Conclusion.
Only one conclusion is possible. The Bible is
telling us we can be perfect in this life, in the eyes of God, because of our
faith in Jesus Christ and his grace. We are sinners, but because of the blood of
Jesus Christ - through our confession, repentance and faith in him - our sins
are not seen by the Father. Our sins are cleansed (1 John 1:7, 9) by the
blood of Jesus Christ; therefore we are perfect now in the sight of
God!
Mormons need to recognize
that it is impossible for them to obey all the laws of Mormonism in this life.
LDS teaching, as shown above, makes it clear that they had better not stumble
too often, otherwise they will be carrying all their sins - past, present and
new ones - all at once, all alone.
In your discussions stress the impossibility of
doing everything Mormonism requires. If they say the grace of God will
help them, remind them of 2 Nephi 25:23 (saved by grace after all we
can do), 2 Nephi 9:23 (having perfect faith) and Moroni 10:32 (deny
yourself of all ungodliness...). Walk them through the list of what
they need to do. Have them explain in detail how they are doing for
each item. Ask them if they have ever stumbled and then remind them of
Doctrine and Covenants 82:7 (new sin causes the weight of forgiven sins of the
past to return) and what President Spencer Kimball said (cannot expect
repeated forgiveness). Ask them if they might not stumble again and
again. Ask if there is any hope for them. Then show what Jesus
Christ can do for them by reading many of the Bible references
above.
END NOTES
1. The pages
for all Gospel Principles references are for the 1997 edition. This
teaching manual has been published since 1978 and is used by the LDS church for
its new members; copyright 1997 Corporation of the President of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2. This
reference, though published by a non-Mormon company, the contract author was
Brigham Young University, it had a Mormon editor and board of editors, the
articles were written by LDS and the whole enterprise was supervised by two LDS
apostles. (Church News, week ending December 7, 1991, page 7)
3. An Apparent Contradiction By Brigham
Young
A man who has had his mind opened to the operation of the
Priesthood of the Son of God—who understands anything of the government of
heaven, must understand that finite beings are not capable of receiving and
abiding the celestial law in its fulness. When can you abide a celestial
law? When you become a celestial being, and never until then. 7:143.[this
is a Journal of Discourses reference, Vol 7, page 143]
(Discourses of Brigham Young, page 95)
But at
another times Young said something different.
If we keep the celestial law when our spirits go to
God who gave them, we shall find that we are acquainted there and
distinctly realize that we know all about that world. 4:218. (Discourses of
Brigham Young, page 98)
When we talk of the celestial law which is revealed
from heaven, that is, the Priesthood, we are talking about the principle of
salvation, a perfect system of government, of laws and ordinances, by which we
can be prepared to pass from one gate to another, and from one sentinel to
another, until we go into the presence of our Father and God. (Discourses
of Brigham Young, page 130)
Perhaps the
"celestial law" has two parts. The part we live to get there and the part we
live by while there.
4. That is "eternal life,"
becoming a God, having spirit children, and a planet whose people worship you as
we do God the Father. (Gospel Principles, page 302)
5. The word gospel has a different meaning to most
Mormons. Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie said: "The gospel of Jesus
Christ is the plan of salvation. It embraces all of the laws, principles,
doctrines, rites, ordinances, acts, powers, authorities, and keys necessary to
save and exalt men in the highest heaven hereafter. It is the covenant of
salvation which the Lord makes with men on earth." (Mormon Doctrine, page
331).
6. A health law covered in D&C
89.
7. Items 9 and 15 are part of the
three major goals of the Mormon Church: perfecting the saints, saving the
dead, spreading the gospel (their gospel).
8.
What does it mean to keep the Sabbath day holy? Gospel Principles has an eleven
item list.
1. Attending Church meetings.
2. Reading the scriptures and the words of our Church
leaders.
3 Visiting the sick, the aged, and our
loved ones.
4. Listening to uplifting music and
singing hymns.
5.Praying to our Heavenly Father
with praises and Thanksgiving.
6. Performing
Church service that we have been assigned to do.
7. Preparing family history records and personal
histories.
8. Telling faith-promoting stories
and bearing our testimony to family members and sharing spiritual
experiences with them.
9. Writing letters to
loved ones.
10. Fasting with purpose.
11. Sharing time with children and others in the
home.
(Gospel Principles, page
162)
This references also says that rest from daily
work is also necessary and "we should not shop, hunt, fish, attend sports events
or participate in similar activities on the day." The Sabbath is not a day for
merely lounging and doing nothing. "The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts
and acts." (Gospel Principles, page 161).
9. This is another list.
10. "It
means to acknowledge sin and guilt in the light of God's revelation, and is thus
generally an outward sign of repentance and faith." New Bible
Dictionary, page 225, (Tyndale House, Wheaton, Il., 1962). In this
same reference, on page 1018, it says: "In the NT the words translated
`repent'....usually mean `to change one's mind', and so also `to regret, feel
remorse'".
Mormon Apostle
Bruce R. McConkie in his book Mormon Doctrine, deals with confession
under forgiveness. On pages 292-295 he has:
"Forgiveness, which includes divine pardon and
complete remission of sins, is available, on conditions of repentance, for all
men except those who have sinned unto death. (D. & C. 42:18, 79; 64:7.)
For such there is no forgiveness, neither in this world nor in the world to
come. (D. & C. 76:32-34; 132:27; Matt. 12:31-32.) To accountable persons
in the world, remission of sins comes by repentance and baptism of water and
of the Spirit. For those who have once been cleansed in this way and who
thereafter commit sin -- but not unto death -- (and all members of the Church
are guilty of sin, in either greater or lesser degree) the law of forgiveness
embraces the following requirements:
1. GODLY SORROW FOR SIN......2. ABANDONMENT OF
SIN......3. CONFESSION OF SIN.....4. RESTITUTION FOR SIN.....5. OBEDIENCE TO
ALL LAW. -- Complete forgiveness is reserved for those only who turn their
whole hearts to the Lord and begin to keep all of his commandments not
just those commandments disobeyed in the past, but those in all
fields."
11. "The word `grace' in its
special Christian sense refers to the freedom of salvation in Jesus
Christ. As used by Paul in particular, the word underscores the fact that
salvation is freely given by God to undeserving sinners." (The
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Volume 2, page 547, William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI, 1982).
The Encyclopedia of Mormonism,
(Macmillan Publishing Co., N.Y., 1992), Vol 2, page 562, on the subject of
"grace" has:
"God bestows these additional, perfecting expressions
of grace conditionally, as he does the grace that allows forgiveness of sin.
They are given `after all we can do' (2 Ne. 25:23)--that is, in
addition to our best efforts."
In contrast
Biblical grace is the un-merited forgiveness of God because of our faith in
Jesus Christ and our confession and repentance of our sins. Grace is when we do
not get what we deserve (separation from God) and when we get what we don't
deserve (eternity with God).
12. The
Joseph Smith Translation (JST) has the same idea.
13. "Believeth on the Son", that is, believe that Jesus is
who and what he has revealed himself to be "according to the scriptures", as in
1Cor 15:3-4.
14. The JST has the same
idea.
John Farkas
Berean Christian
Ministries
P.O. Box 1091
Webster, NY 14580
E-mail: bcmmin@frontiernet.net
Web pages:
Mormonism:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~bcmmin
Jehovah's
Witnesses: http://www.frontiernet.net/~bcmmin/jwstd.htm
art/sin&lds