What Mormons Believe about Salvation
Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry (CARM) points out, “The doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are very interesting. Most of the ‘odd’ ones are not initially taught to potential converts. But they should be. Instead, ‘they are revealed later as one matures and gains the ability to accept them.’ The LDS Church tries to make its official doctrines appear Christian but what underlies those Christian sounding terms is far from Christian in meaning.”
This is why a casual and uninformed look at Mormon doctrines on their website would appear Christian initially. However, a deeper study of Mormon belief and teaching, compiled here by CARM, reveals fundamentally heretical views of Jesus and what makes one right before God:
“One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation,” (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206).
“A plan of salvation was needed for the people of earth so Jesus offered a plan to the Father and Satan offered a plan to the father but Jesus’ plan was accepted. In effect the Devil wanted to be the Savior of all Mankind and to ‘deny men their agency and to dethrone god,’” (“Mormon Doctrine,” p. 193; Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 8).
“Jesus’ sacrifice was not able to cleanse us from all our sins, (murder and repeated adultery are exceptions).” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, 1856, p. 247).
“Good works are necessary for salvation.” (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 92).
“There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet of God.” (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p. 188).
“The first effect [of the atonement] is to secure to all mankind alike, exemption from the penalty of the fall, thus providing a plan of General Salvation. The second effect is to open a way for Individual Salvation whereby mankind may secure remission of personal sins.” (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 78-79).
“As these sins are the result of individual acts it is just that forgiveness for them should be conditioned on individual compliance with prescribed requirements—'obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel,’” (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 79).
“This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts,” (LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 697).
Strangely, many Mormons may not even know that this is what their church teaches regarding salvation. But these are Mormon writings that have continued to be taught, and they are the foundation of their belief system.
In short, Mormons believe that being a good person is precisely what makes someone a Christian. Jesus is not the means of salvation, but the point at which the means begins. This is fundamentally against orthodox Christian teaching.
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