INTRODUCTION

Although the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which we will refer to as the LDS) insists that their teachings are biblical, the reality is that their major doctrines all stem from their own revelations and exclusive scriptures. Eternal progression, their foundational doctrine, depicts God as having once existed as an ordinary, mortal man, who earned the right to godhood through obedience to the same laws and ordinances that members of the LDS Church now apply to themselves in their own journey of eternal progression. (See the fully referenced articles, Mormonism's Law of Eternal Progression and The Case Against the God of Mormonism .)

Just as Mormonism has misrepresented the biblical deity in order to create a fictitious God that conforms to their unbiblical doctrine of eternal progression, so they have misrepresented the person of Christ Himself, and of His atonement, for exactly the same reason.

In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints do not believe in the traditional Christ. "No, I don't. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fulness [sic] of Times. He together with His Father, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in the year 1820, and when Joseph left the grove that day, he knew more of the nature of God than all the learned ministers of the gospel of the ages ("The LDS Church News," week ending June 20, 1998, page 7) (Italics inserted by the writer.)

"..... the Christ followed by the Mormons is not the Christ followed by traditional Christianity." (Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, of the First Quorum of the Seventy,"The Living Christ," Ensign, May, 1977, pages 26 and 27.)

THE ATONEMENT ACCORDING TO "GOSPEL PRINCIPLES"

In chapter 12 of their 2010 version of Gospel Principles, the LDS appears to heartily agree with the biblical teaching that Christ bore our sins in His atonement, and that through faith in Him we can be saved. But (at this stage) they take care not to mention that according to their doctrines, our personal salvation is conditional on a great many other things that have nothing whatever to do with the atonement of Christ, but have everything to do with the religion of Mormonism. This deliberate subterfuge is known by scholars as "partial disclosure." It is a favourite tactic of the LDS, who maintain that until folk are ready for the meat of the LDS gospel, they must only be given milk.

In the real world we call this deception.

Various other LDS doctrinal books and teachings insist that salvation is only possible through membership of their church, obedience to LDS laws and ordinances, acceptance of Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, baptism by someone holding the LDS priesthood (see the article, The LDS Priesthood is Unbiblical ), serving the LDS church faithfully, attending all their meetings, payment of full tithing, and a great many other requirements as well; none of which have anything to do with having faith in Christ, or with His atonement. They further maintain that eternal life is only possible for those who have been married in an LDS temple ceremony for time and eternity. Here are just some of their exclusive teachings that they take care not to disclose in chapter 12 of Gospel Principles, which focuses on the atonement:

We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the [LDS] gospel (3rd Article of Faith of the LDS church)

Full salvation is attained by virtue of knowledge, truth, righteousness, and all true principles. Many conditions must exist in order to make such salvation available to men. Without the atonement, the [LDS] gospel, the [LDS] priesthood, and the [LDS] sealing power, there would be no salvation. Without continuous revelation, the ministering angels, the working of miracles, the prevalence of gifts of the spirit, there would be no salvation. If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 2, pp. 1-350, as quoted in Mormon Doctrine, by LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie, page 670). (Editor's italics)

There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, (Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1, page 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. 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 [LDS] Gospel (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, member of the LDS Quorum of the 12 Apostles — the second highest governing body in the LDS church; page 87).

Redemption from personal sins can only be obtained through obedience to the requirements of the [Mormon] gospel, and a life of good works ..... The Sectarian Dogma of Justification by Faith Alone has exercised an influence for evil (Mormon Apostle James Talmage, Articles of Faith, pages 478-479).

Immortality is assured to all of us through the atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But eternal life is a personal responsibility we must earn and be worthy of. (LDS Apostle Delbert L. Stapley, Member of the Quorum of the Twelve, in The Path to Eternal Glory, Ensign, July 1973, page 99.) (Emphasis inserted by editor.)

..... But only those who obey the fullness of the [LDS] gospel law will inherit eternal life (D&C 29:43-44)..... Thus those who gain eternal life receive exaltation ..... They are gods. (Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie, member of the LDS Quorum of the 12 Apostles; page 237.)

If one is going to be ..... where God dwells in all his glory, one will be there as a husband or a wife and not otherwise. Regardless of his virtues, the single person, or the one married for this life only, cannot be exalted. (Spencer W. Kimball, 12th President and Prophet of the LDS Church, The Miracle of Forgiveness, page 245). (In Mormonism exaltation implies godhood and eternal life.)

As we can see by taking into account an overview of all of their teachings, the LDS's idea of Christ's atonement doesn't fit in at all with what the Bible says. (For an informative discussion of the Mormon teaching that marriage in an LDS temple is essential in order to gain eternal life, see the fully referenced article, Mormonism's Deceptive Teaching on Eternal Life .)



THE LDS ATONEMENT HAS TWO TYPES OF SALVATION

The LDS has split Christ's atonement into two different types of salvation — resurrection; and salvation from sin. The first type only covers resurrection and provides for an eternity spent in the lowest degree of the unbiblical Mormon heaven (which is not where Christ and God are). This is called salvation by grace or universal salvation, because it applies to every single person, and nothing has to be done to earn it. Even those who hate God fall into this category. The second type is called individual salvation. And it involves earning the right to the forgiveness of our own personal sins through membership of the LDS church and obedience to their laws and ordinances. But this still doesn't automatically warrant eternal life. (See the article Mormonism's Deceptive Teaching on Eternal Life .)

All men are saved by grace alone without any act on their part, meaning they are resurrected. (LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie, What the Mormons Think of Christ, page 28) (McConkie was a Mormon doctrinal writer and a well respected member of the Quorum of 12 Apostles, who advised the LDS Presidency.)

Salvation is twofold: General, that which comes to all men irrespective of a belief (in this life) in Christ, and Individual, that which man merits through his own acts through life and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the [Mormon] gospel (Doctrines of Salvation, LDS President and Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Volume I, page 134).

On the other hand, the Bible teaches:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ..... He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:14, 15, 18 KJV) (Italics by editor)

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree ..... (1 Peter 2:24, KJV)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7 KJV)

THE LDS DIMINISHES WHAT CHRIST ACHIEVED ON THE CROSS

According to the LDS, Christ's atonement reversed of the curse of death that came about because of Adam's sin, thereby ensuring resurrection from the dead for the whole of mankind, regardless of whether or not they have trusted in Christ (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 9:21-22, Articles of Faith, LDS Apostle James Talmage, page 87. ) But the Bible reveals that the resurrection of the dead was an accomplished fact long before the atonement ever took place:

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. (Matthew 22:31-32, KJV)

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God (Job 19:26, KJV)

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. (Isaiah 26:19, KJV)

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15, KJV)

The Bible very clearly explains that Christ's atonement ratified a New Covenant of grace that provided for the forgiveness of all the sins of whosoever trusts in Him for salvation. Adam's sin, universal resurrection and immortality don't even come into it. Instead, what is consistently proclaimed throughout the New Testament, is forgiveness of all our sins by grace through faith in Christ, because of His atonement on our behalf, on the cross. The following are just some examples:

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28, KJV)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3, KJV)

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses (Colossians 2:13, KJV) (Italics inserted by the writer.)

Who gave himself for our sins (Galations 1:4, KJV)

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24. KJV)

And he is the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2, KJV)

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood (Revelation 1:5, KJV)

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9, KJV) (Italics inserted by writer.)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3, KJV)

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood (Romans 3:24, KJV)

..... even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galations 2:16, KJV)

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18-19, KJV)

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43, KJV) (Italics inserted by writer.)

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 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: 38,39 KJV) (Italics inserted by writer.)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7, KJV)

..... in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:15, NASB)

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:14, KJV) (Italics inserted by writer.)

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 2:8-9, KJV) (Italics inserted by writer.)

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. (Romans 11:6, KJV)

Seeing that Christ bore our sins and died to earn our forgiveness on condition that we trust in Him for salvation, why should we need to have to have faith in Joseph Smith, become a member of the LDS church and serve their organization, in order for His atonement to come into effect? Christ alone has the authority to save. He earned that right when He suffered and died for our sins, in our place, on the cross at Calvary. But the LDS gives the impression that they are in control of the entire universe, and that unless folk submit to their unbiblical ideas and demands, and participate in their exclusive rites and rituals, God doesn't have the power to permit Christ's atonement for the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life, to kick in.

But the reality is that Christ is quite capable of saving us to the uttermost, without any help from the LDS church.

Wherefore he (Christ) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25, KJV) (Emphasis by editor)

Christ's death and shed blood ratified a New Covenant, which the Bible says is far better than the Old (Hebrews 7:22, 8:6). And under the Old Covenant, God didn't tell the Israelites that they would have to earn the right to the forgiveness of their sins. Instead He provided the sacrificial system. The guilty man took a blemish free sacrificial animal to the altar. Then he placed his hand on its head to indicate that it was to be his substitute, and would die in his place to cover his sin (Leviticus 4:27-31, Numbers 15:22-26, etc.) This was a picture of the coming, promised Messiah, who would die once and for all, for the forgiveness of all the sins of those who identified themselves with Him by faith.

As an Old Covenant Jew, John the Baptist, who was a prophet, was familiar with the substitutionary sacrificial system, and had been eagerly awaiting the appearance of the promised One. Pointing to the Lord Jesus, he triumphantly proclaimed:

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29, KJV)

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

The LDS detracts from the real meaning of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross even further, by wrongly teaching that His atonement took place primarily in the Garden of Gethsemane, and that the cross merely signalled its completion:

Where and under what circumstances was the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God made? Was it on the Cross of Calvary or in the Garden of Gethsemane? It is to the Cross of Christ that most Christians look when centring their attention upon the infinite and eternal atonement. And certainly the sacrifice of our Lord was completed when he was lifted up by men; also, that part of his life and suffering is more dramatic and, perhaps, more soul stirring. But in reality the pain and suffering, the triumph and grandeur, of the atonement took place primarily in Gethsemane.(LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:774) (Emphasis by editor)

Mormons classify the time Christ spent praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and agonizing over His forthcoming crucifixion, as "an atoning sacrifice." It is difficult to understand how they reach this conclusion, seeing it's not what the Bible teaches. The sacrificial system that covered the guilty person's sin and portrayed the coming final sacrifice of the Messiah always involved the death of the substitionary sacrifice.

One can't help but wonder what the LDS's motive was in introducing this false teaching, considering that it's in direct contradiction of what the Bible tells us. But it is a fact that they abhor the cross, and will not permit its presence anywhere on their premises. Instead, they have decorated their temples with occultic symbols. (See the article, LDS Temples Compared with those of Biblical Times .)

In the Bible the occult is placed in the same category as witchcraft, spiritism and idolatry, as they all have spiritual powers behind them that oppose the purposes of God. Nevertheless, the LDS prefers occultic symbols to those of Christianity. There are plenty of Christian symbols besides the cross, that they could have used to decorate their temples, yet they made a statement by choosing those of the occult. But this comes as no surprise, seeing that the founder of their church, Joseph Smith, was heavily involved in both the occult and spiritism.

Many books and articles have been written on this subject. In 1995 The Mormon History Association named one such article, Joseph Smith and Kabbalah: The Occult Connection by Lance S. Owens, as the recipient of their annual award for the best article in Mormon studies. (Owen's article was published in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon thought, Volume 27, No. 3, Fall, 1994.) Mormon historian D. Michael Quinn wrote a book entitled Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, (Signature Books, 1987), and this subject is also dealt with in Mormonism Unvailed, written by Ed Howe and published in 1834. Then too, former LDS seminary teacher, Grant Palmer wrote an excellent and informative book entitled An Insider's View of Mormon Origins, that documents the Smiths family's occultic beliefs and practices.



THE BIBLICAL ATONEMENT AND SALVATION

When Christ atoned for our sins in our place on the cross at Calvary, He represented those of us who trust in Him as our Saviour. And because He paid the price for us, in our place, as our representative, it was the same as if we had paid the price.

Although we are not saved by baptism, but through Christ's atonement; believer's baptism by immersion is the way Christians publicly acknowledge that Christ is their Saviour. (Baptism is also an act of obedience to His command).

But it goes deeper than that. In order to free us from the condemnation of our sins, Christ became our substitute. He represented us. So when He was nailed to the cross, it was the same as if we had been nailed to the cross: We were "in Him" on the cross when he atoned for our sins in our place, and we were also "in Him" when He died.

When I undergo Christian baptism I am symbolically re-enacting Christ's death and resurrection. As I go down under the waters of baptism it symbolizes my death "in Him" to the penalty of the Law, as well as my burial "in Him." When He arose from the grave He did so as my substitute; it was the same as if I had risen. So when I rise up out of the baptismal waters it symbolizes my resurrection to a new life "in Christ" (c/f Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:12-13).

Paul explains the 'exchanged' Christian life:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galations 2:20, KJV)

Although we cannot earn salvation through any efforts of our own, the proof that we have been saved will be our changed lives. But salvation comes first, not the changed life or the works. It is having been saved that enables us to change, through the grace and the power of the indwelling Christ. Nothing we could do could ever merit our salvation. If it could, then we wouldn't have needed a Saviour.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us ..... (Titus 3:5, KJV)

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.(Galations 2:16, KJV)

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4-10, KJV)

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, enabling us to see ourselves for what we are, i.e. helpless sinners under the condemnation of a holy God. This motivates us to take the step of repenting of our sin and self-reliance, and of trusting in Christ for salvation. Once we have done this, our priorities will change to such an extent that our lives will never, ever be the same again. The truth is that it is only after we have been saved that we can begin to live the Christian life, in Him. Prior to that we are dead to the things of the spirit. (See the article, The New Birth, Biblical and Mormon Viewpoints.)

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new ..... to whit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them ..... (2 Corinthians 5:17, 19, KJV)

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13, 14, KJV)

As we read through the salvation scriptures in the Bible, we discover that Christ saves us not only from the penalty of sin, but also from the power that sin exerts over us whilst we are living in our earthly, fallen bodies. What is more, salvation is all of Him and nothing of us. Our part is to trust Him to save us, to abide in Him and follow Him wherever He leads us along the pathway through life. (For an in-depth, referenced explanation see the article, What is Biblical Salvation? )



THE ATONEMENT, AS UNDERSTOOD IN BIBLICAL TIMES

Christ's substitutionary suffering and death on behalf of sinful mankind was much more meaningful and easier to understand for folk who lived at that time, than it is for us today. When a man was unable to pay his debt, he was faced with the penalty of the Law and sold into slavery to pay it off. However, a kinsman was permitted to redeem him, provided that he paid the amount of the debt in full. This then set the debtor free both from slavery and from his debt.

To qualify to be our kinsman so that He would have the right to redeem us from slavery to sin and from our debt to God (because all sin is against God), the Lord Jesus left the glories of heaven, took on a human body and lived in a fallen, sinful, hurting world, as one of us (Philippians 2:6-10). Then although He Himself had no sin, He paid the Law's full penalty for sin on behalf of those who identified themselves as being "in Him." And because He has paid our debt in full, those who trust in Him for salvation are set free from sin's penalty, and are forgiven.

As the words of the Gaither's song goes, "I'm free from the fear of tomorrow, free from the guilt of the past ....." And we owe our glorious freedom to Christ alone, who paid our debt at such a tremendous cost to Himself. We will never stop praising Him for what He has done for us, unworthy as we are. And we unashamedly worship Him.



WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT CHRIST'S ATONEMENT

In accordance with the long list of scriptures provided earlier on, the Bible teaches that whilst we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), Christ vicariously (acting as our substitute, on our behalf) suffered and died on the cross in our place, in order to pay the full cost of the forgiveness of all our sins, provided we put our faith in Him. Notice that there is no other stipulation required, only faith in Christ. And if Christ has paid the ultimate penalty for the forgiveness of all our sins in our place, on our behalf, and we are trusting in and following Him to the best of our ability, what right does the LDS church have to insist that it doesn't apply unless we join their religious organization? Our salvation from sin and its consequences is a personal transaction between Christ and ourselves, and has nothing whatever to do with Joseph Smith, the LDS church or their laws and ordinances. Christ alone saves.

John Reisinger explained Christ's substitutionary or vicarious atonement like this:

"The word vicarious means "acting on behalf of or as representing another," or "something performed or suffered by one person with the results accruing to the benefit or advantage of another." The key idea is representation in such a way that one party literally stands in the place of another and is actually treated as if they were the other person. The classic text is 2 Corinthians 5:21:

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21, KJV)

If Christ actually stood in my place and bore my sin then I can never be punished for that sin. If Christ literally stands as a substitute in the place of any particular individual then that individual must be brought to salvation and be eternally saved. Substitutionary, or vicarious, atonement must actually secure a real salvation for all for whom Christ died or else it is not truly vicarious." (Doctrine of the Atonement, by John G. Reisinger)

CHRIST'S ATONEMENT COVERS THE FORGIVENESS OF ALL OUR SINS

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you ALL trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross Colossians 2:13-14, KJV) (Emphasis inserted by the writer.)

My dictionary defines the word "all" as "the whole extent or number, without exception, without limit, past, present and future, infinitely and completely."

Don't forget that Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins long before we'd been born. So His atonement covered even those sins that we hadn't yet committed. The apostle John explained in his letter to the church that whenever we repent and ask for forgiveness for any sin that we've become aware of, God will grant us that forgiveness and cleanse us because as indicated above, Christ has already paid the price for the forgiveness of all our sins, in full:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9, KJV)

However, Mormons should not get the wrong idea. For a Christian it is a very serious matter to have to ask for forgiveness for sin, as the picture of Christ suffering on that cruel cross to pay the ultimate penalty for "my" sin is ever before him.

Christian churches generally display a cross in a prominent position, to remind the congregation of who they were (condemned sinners), what Christ has done for them (set them free from guilt, judgment and condemnation); and what it cost Him (the ultimate in suffering and shame). The fact that the LDS will not permit a cross to be displayed anywhere on their premises speaks volumes to Christians, as it clearly tells them that Mormons don't understand the meaning, the importance, or the purpose of Christ's crucifixion. And their teaching on the atonement is proof of this.

The article on this next link discusses Mormon salvation in the light of what the Bible teaches:

Mormon Salvation Exposed to the Light of the Bible

By clicking on the button marked "home" at the end of this page, the reader will be able to access a comprehensive list of fully referenced articles that discuss different aspects of Mormonism and compare them with what the Bible teaches.

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