BibleAsk Team

How do people get saved according to Mormonism?

Mormonism-Salvation

Mormonism teaches that in order to attain salvation, believers should have faith in Christ, keep the commandments of the Mormon Church (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p 188; Mormon Doctrine, p. 670), and do good works (2 Nephi 25:23; Alma 11:37; Doctrine and Covenants 58:42–43; 2 Nephi 9:23–24; Alma 34:30–35; Articles of Faith, p.92). Thus, Mormons believe that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross itself is not enough to bring forgiveness of sins and redemption.

But the Bible states that good works can never earn the way to heaven (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5) and that faith in Jesus Christ alone is the only way to salvation (John 10:9; 11:25; 14:6; Acts 4:12). Salvation by grace is contrary to salvation by human efforts (Romans 11:6). Good works will definitely follow conversion and they are the natural result of the Holy Spirit working in the heart (Galatians 5:22).

Concerning justification by faith, the late James Talmage, the Latter Day Saint apostle said, “The sectarian dogma of justification by faith alone has exercised an influence for evil” (Articles of Faith, p. 432) and “Hence the justice of the scriptural doctrine that salvation comes to the individual only through obedience” (Articles of Faith, p. 81).  This clearly contradicts the biblical doctrine of the forgiveness of sins by grace through faith (Romans 3:28; 5:1; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9) and the doctrine that works are not part of becoming saved (Romans 4:1-5) but a result of them (James 2:14-18).

The Bible teaches that to become a Christian means to believe in the Lord Jesus, who was sent by the Father, carried our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24), died, and resurrected from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Faith in God will allow the Holy Spirit to bring a transformation in the life (Galatians 5:22,23).

Mormonism-humans become gods

Further, those who follow the Mormon faith believe that Mormons can attain the status of gods in the afterlife through their works here on earth (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345–354). However, the Bible teaches that no man can ever become like God (1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 43:10–11; 44:6; 45:21–22). In fact, this was Satan’s first lie to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5) which led to the fall of the human race.

The desire to be like God was Satan’s sin which led to his fall in heaven. Only a created being, Satan sought honor due alone to the Creator. What blasphemy! “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13–14).

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In His service,
BibleAsk Team

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