INTRODUCTION

According to LDS doctrine there are two types of salvation (both of which are unbiblical). Christ's atonement covers their first type, known as universal, or general salvation. They also call it salvation by grace, as nothing has to be done to earn it. It doesn't even require a belief in Christ. Its main purpose is to provide for universal resurrection. But it also opens the way for their second type of salvation, known as individual salvation, whereby Mormons earn the right to forgiveness of their own personal sins through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the LDS church.

We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the [LDS] Gospel. (Third Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) (Emphasis by editor)

"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).

"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, LDS Apostle James Talmage, page 87).

But what does the Bible say?

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24, NASB)

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

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9, KJV)

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

MORMON "DOUBLE SPEAK"

It appears obvious from the above, that Mormon teaching opposes that of the Bible. But the LDS church claims that it doesn't. And they are partially right due to their entrenched practice of "double speak."

To give an example of their "double speak," one of their foundational teachings is that the Bible has been corrupted due to incorrect translation and that covenants and large, important sections on salvation were removed by apostate Christians. For this reason Mormons are instructed to check the accuracy of the Bible by comparing it with their own scriptures and revelations. But on the other hand they claim that the Bible is their first and foremost book of scripture and that their teachings are absolutely biblical. Here is their one set of claims:

"Many important points touching the salvation of men, had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled." (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 1, page 245 )

"Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 327).

"... who in his right mind could for one moment suppose the Bible in its present form to be a perfect guide? Who knows that even one verse of the Bible has escaped pollution, so as to convey the same sense now that it did in the original?" (LDS Apostle Orson Pratt, Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, Page 47.)

"The most reliable way to measure the accuracy of any biblical passage is not by comparing different texts, but by comparison with the Book of Mormon and modern-day revelations." (Church News, June 20, 1992, page 3, quoting a letter from the First Presidency [Presidents Benson, Hinckley and Monson] dated May 22, 1992, to all of the Church)

And here are just a few of the many quotes comprising their opposing set of claims about the Bible:

"Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (known informally by the nickname Mormons) believe the Bible. Indeed, so literally and completely do their beliefs and practices conform to the teachings of the Bible that it is not uncommon to hear informed persons say: 'If all men believed the Bible, all would be Mormons.' Bible doctrine is Mormon doctrine, and Mormon doctrine is Bible doctrine. They are one and the same" (LDS Apostle and doctrinal writer Bruce McConkie, What The Mormons Think of Christ, page 2).

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accepts the Holy Bible as the foremost of her standard works, first among the books which have been proclaimed as her written guides in faith and doctrine" (LDS Apostle James Talmage, Articles of Faith, page 236).

When it comes to their teachings on salvation, we find exactly the same sort of duplicity. On the one hand they teach that Christ died for our sins and that we are saved solely because of His atonement. But on the other hand they teach that salvation is only possible through faith in Joseph Smith as God's true prophet, through membership of their church and through obedience to their laws and ordinances. (In order to avoid duplication, this aspect will be discussed at length, with references provided, further down this page.)

Mormonism is a religion of deception. They have developed a system of indoctrination that is second to none. And their practice of "double speak" is used in a similar manner to the way that smoke and mirrors are used by illusionists. And it is very effective.



LDS GENERAL SALVATION (SALVATION BY GRACE)
(Sometimes called Unconditional or Universal Salvation)

As already mentioned, LDS general salvation by grace through Christ's atonement is merely resurrection and does not include forgiveness of personal sins or eternal life. This is a travesty of what the Bible teaches and it belittles what Christ achieved for us on the cross (c/f John 3:14,15; 5:39; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11,13). It also flies in the face of the picture of salvation from sin provided for us in the Levitical substitutionary sacrifice under the Old Covenant (see Leviticus 4:29-41). Furthermore, it makes null and void the entire biblical record concerning salvation from personal sins through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice that is given to us in the New Testament, and which was taught by Christ, His apostles and the primitive church:

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. (John 3:14,15, KJV). (Emphasis by editor)

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

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [Jesus] 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)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14, KJV)

The Bible consistently contradicts LDS teachings, from Genesis right through to Revelation. The following scriptures invalidate their claim that Christ's atonement was primarily for resurrection for the simple reason that resurrection was an accomplished fact long before Christ's atonement came into effect.

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)

Mormon teaching is that the purpose of Christ's atonement was to cover Adam's original sin, thereby reversing the consequences of the fall. They maintain that because of His atonement mankind will be released from the penalty for Adam's sin, which is death, thereby granting immortality to all. And as it is by grace, even those who do not have faith in Christ will receive this general salvation (bodily resurrection), except the "sons of perdition". (A Mormon term, the definition of which is "individuals who rebel against God, deny the truth and defy the Lord's power.")

"Those who gain only this general or unconditional salvation will still be judged according to their works and receive their places in a terrestrial or telestial kingdom. They will therefore be damned" (LDS Apostle McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, page 669).

"All men are saved by grace alone without any act on their part, meaning they are resurrected". (Apostle Bruce McConkie, "What the Mormons Think of Christ," page 28).

But nowhere does the Bible teach us that the atonement only guarantees our resurrection (which the LDS refers to as immortality) or that we will have to earn the right to forgiveness of personal sins. Christ earned the forgiveness for our sins by taking our sins upon Himself and bearing the consequences for us, in our place, in His body on the cross. And His shed blood ratified the New Covenant of forgiveness of sins by grace, through faith. The Bible clearly and simply teaches that if we put our faith in Christ as our Saviour, He will forgive our sins, not Adam's, and will give us eternal life:

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. (John 3:14-15, KJV) (Emphasis by editor)

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

(How can it be that Joseph Smith, who claimed to be God's "true" prophet, was the only one out of all of His prophets who didn't get the above witness?)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14 KJV)

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 ..... (1 John 5:13, KJV)

LDS INDIVIDUAL (CONDITIONAL) SALVATION

Individual salvation can only be attained through membership of the LDS church. What this intimates is that the LDS church is the vehicle of individual salvation, not the Lord Jesus Christ. (Remember that according to the LDS, although Christ's atonement opens the way for us to earn the right to forgiveness of person sins, it only guarantees resurrection.) Individuals who are not Mormons, including those belonging to Christian churches, will only receive unconditional or universal salvation. I.e. they will be resurrected, but will not receive forgiveness for personal sins, regardless of whether or not they have trusted in Christ for salvation. In other words, according to LDS teachings, it's not faith in Christ that is the criteria when it comes to forgiveness of personal sins, but membership of and obedience to the laws and ordinances of their church (including full payment of tithing). They have hijacked the salvation from sin that Christ so heroically and selflessly earned on our behalf on that terrible cross at Calvary, for their own benefit.

"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).

There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, page 670).

There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, (Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1, page 188.)

If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. (Mormon Doctrine, Bruce McConkie, page 670.)

The 2nd President and Prophet of the LDS Church, Brigham Young, went one step further when he claimed:

"... No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith.... every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are ....." (Journal of Discourses, Volume 7, page 289)

As it is, Mormons have no way of knowing for sure whether or not their lives will have been good enough to warrant personal salvation. This means that they are far worse off than the Israelites were under the Old Covenant, before the New Covenant of grace came into being.

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:2-4, KJV)

God did not tell the Israelites that they would have to earn their right to forgiveness because He knew they weren't capable of ever doing such a thing. Just like us, they were members of a ruined, fallen race. So He provided the sacrificial system. The person who had sinned was required to take an unblemished animal to the altar and place his hand upon the animal's head to indicate that it would be his substitute, and would die in his place to cover his sin. (Leviticus 4:27-31, Numbers 15:22-26, etc.) These were "pictures" of the coming promised Redeemer, who would give Himself once and for all as a vicarious sacrifice to cover all the personal sins of those who identified themselves with Him by faith. This idea of a sacrificial substitute for sin was so foundational to the Jewish mindset, that John the Baptist, who was the herald of the promised Messiah, had this to say when Christ appeared on the scene:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29, KJV)

But LDS Apostle and doctrinal writer Bruce McConkie disagreed. He said:

"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" (Mormon Doctrine, page 670). (Editor's italics)

First of all this isn't what the Bible teaches. And secondly, this teaching is blasphemous. It implies that Joseph Smith and the LDS organization deserve more credit for the salvation of mankind than does the Lord Jesus Christ. Through their doctrine of salvation the LDS church has effectively nullified Christ's atonement for sin.



ETERNAL LIFE

LDS teaching is that individual salvation through works allows for exaltation (eternal life), but only if all the necessary conditions have been fulfilled (see the article, Mormonism's Deceptive Teaching On Eternal Life, a link to which is provided at the end of this page):

"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.)

Because the Mormon God has not always been a God, the LDS has invented their own exclusive meaning for the term "eternal" so as to give their doctrines some semblance of fitting in with the Bible:

Eternal life is the name given to the kind of life that our Eternal Father lives. The word eternal, as used in the name eternal life, is a noun and not an adjective. It is one of the formal names of Deity (Moses 1:3, 7:35; D&C 19:11) and has been chosen by him as the particular name to identify the kind of life that he lives. He being God, the life he lives is God's life; and his name (in the noun sense) being Eternal, the kind of life he lives is eternal life. Thus: God's life is eternal life; eternal life is God's life — the expressions are synonymous.

..... 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, LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, page 237.)

But that's not what the Bible teaches.

The word life means existence, not the ability to beget offspring; and eternal means forever. So eternal life means an existence that will last forever. And it has nothing whatever to do with procreation. Strangely, in Mormonism eternal life has the connotation of being able to continue the reproductive process through sexual union. Only those who progress to godhood are qualified to live married lives (with plural wives) and eternally beget children in order to populate worlds of their own. And this is their idea of eternal life. The remainder, who have not qualified for godhood, will have to live celibate lives as angels, eternally serving those who are more worthy. (Of course none of this is biblical.)

Attainment of the LDS version of eternal life is solely through works, i.e. obedience to all the laws and ordinances of the LDS church, including tithing, participation in temple ceremonies, serving the LDS church, keeping God's commandments, living righteously until the end, and the attainment of sufficient knowledge, etc. Also included in their laws and ordinances is being married for time and eternity in an LDS temple. Without participating in eternal marriage, individuals would not be permitted to procreate in the afterlife, so the LDS maintains that this precludes them from becoming gods, which is the the same thing in their eyes, as attaining eternal life. (See Doctrine and Covenants 132:15 and 16.)

According to LDS teaching, even if a person has put their faith utterly in Christ, has consecrated himself wholly to Him and has lived a godly, virtuous, sacrificial life serving Christ, to the point of being martyred for His sake; if he has not been baptized by the LDS, married by them in an LDS temple for time and eternity, and paid full tithes, plus all sorts of other qualifications, he cannot gain eternal life. Yet the Bible teaches that whosoever believes will in Christ have eternal life (John 3:14, 15).

"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 of the LDS, The Miracle of Forgiveness, page 245). (In Mormonism exaltation implies godhood and eternal life.)

There is no paid ministry in the lower echelons of the LDS church. So besides all the other qualifications, earning the right to personal salvation also includes serving their church devotedly.



LDS SALVATION THROUGH BAPTISM
(See the article Baptism, Salvation and the Use of Biblical Symbolism , which clarifies much of the controversy over baptism.)

Although biblical Christians do not agree with Mormon teaching, it needs to be said that it is the norm for those who have put their trust in Christ, to then undergo baptism. This is done as a public testimony of their faith in Christ, and also in obedience to their Saviour's command. But it doesn't earn their forgiveness of sins. Christ earned that forgiveness for them, when He died for their sins, in their place, on the cross at Calvary.

However, LDS Apostle McConkie declared that one of the purposes of Mormon baptism is for the remission of sins:

"Baptism serves four purposes: 1 - It is for the remission of sins. 2 - It admits the repentant person to membership in the Church and Kingdom of God on earth. 3 - It is the gate to the celestial kingdom of heaven. 4 - It is the means whereby the door to personal sanctification is opened" (Mormon Doctrine, page 70).

Contrary to the first purpose of LDS baptism, the Bible teaches over and over again that Christ died for the forgiveness of all our individual sins, and that if we put our faith in Him those sins are forgiven. What right then does the LDS have to say we can only have our sins remitted if we're baptized by a holder of the LDS priesthood?

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

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. (John 3:14-15, 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; 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) (The writer's italics)

The second reason for Mormon baptism is to admit the person concerned to membership of the church and kingdom of God on earth. (Remember that personal salvation and eternal life can only be achieved through membership of the LDS church and faith in Joseph Smith as the prophet of God.) But Paul the Apostle clearly teaches that membership of the Church of Jesus Christ is attained through the New Birth, which has nothing whatever to do with water baptism and everything to do with baptism in the Spirit:

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11:15-16, KJV).

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13, KJV)

However, LDS Apostle McConkie maintains that Mormons are born again through water baptism:

"The second birth begins when men are baptized in water by a legal administrator" (Mormon Doctrine page 101).

"Little children are spiritually alive until they arrive at the age of accountability (Moroni 8:8-26)...... Then they die spiritually unless they are born again ..... by baptism they are born of water and of the Spirit" (Mormon Doctrine page 761).

A link to a comprehensive article article on the new birth is provided at the bottom of this page.

Nowhere in the Bible will you find a single teaching on being born again through being "legally" baptized by someone with supposed authority.

On the contrary, in Acts 10, as Peter preached the Word of God to the gentiles, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, and they were regenerated or born again. After they had received the Holy Spirit, Peter said:

"Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:47-48, NASB)

(Bear in mind that the words Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost are used interchangeably in the Bible, as they are both translated from exactly the same Greek word.)

So we see that Christians in the primitive church were generally born again before they were baptized in water. And that is the pattern followed by Christ's true church today. When the Holy Spirit anoints the Word of God, people come under conviction, put their faith in Christ as their Saviour, and are regenerated, born again, or born of the Spirit, after which they undergo believer's water baptism. As the Lord Jesus said concerning the Holy Spirit's spiritual baptism or regeneration:

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8, NASB)

In other words, two people can be sitting side by side listening to the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit will regenerate one, but not the other. How could that possibly fit in with the LDS teaching that we receive the Spirit through baptism by a legal administrator?

Furthermore, if our salvation was dependant upon baptism by immersion, why did the Apostle Paul make the following statement?

..... For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:14-18, KJV.) (Italics by editor.)

Paul is not decrying the practice of baptism, but he is indicating that the preaching of the cross of Christ is what the gospel of salvation is about, (not baptism), and that Christ Himself had commissioned him personally to preach the cross, not to baptize. Surely, if baptism had been vital for either the new birth or for forgiveness of sins, Paul would have said so. And for that matter, so would Christ. But Christ never ever taught that. On the contrary, He told the thief on the cross who believed on Him as the Messiah, that he would be with Him in paradise, that very day (Luke 23:42-43). But the thief had no time to be baptized. All he had done was to believe in Christ as the Messiah. (This is not to decry baptism, but the baptism that Christ commanded had nothing whatever to do with the new birth or becoming a member of the body of Christ.)



THE LDS CLAIMS THAT SALVATION IS ONLY THROUGH THEIR ORGANIZATION

At the LDS General Conference on April 8, 1973, Apostle Mark E. Peterson said:

"Salvation is in the (LDS) church, and of the church, and is obtained only through the church" (Deseret News, "Church News," April 14, 1973, page 14).

Apostle McConkie also declared:

"There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Mormon Doctrine, page 670).

But the Bible teaches that we are saved through faith in Christ and His atoning sacrifice, not through church membership. And here again the LDS is bypassing the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself is salvation. He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6), and Christ was not a Mormon. He knew nothing of Mormonism, or its laws and ordinances. As an Old Covenant Jew, He worshipped in the courtyard of the Old Covenant Jewish temple for the simple reason that the New Covenant never came into being until it was ratified by His shed blood when He died on the cross.

It's no good the LDS church telling us otherwise, because these facts don't only come from the biblical record. Historians from that time all tell us the same story, that Christ was an Old Covenant Jew. So salvation is solely and wholly through a Jewish messiah, as prophesied by God's Jewish prophets in the Old Testament; and not through Mormonism or the LDS church.

Furthermore, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is through grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone. Christ never ever told us that we would have to become members of a specific religious organization, if we were to have full salvation. If it was the case, He would have told us so. But that wasn't God's way of saving us then, and it isn't His way of saving us now. Salvation is through Christ, not through a church organization. The Lord Jesus said that no one could come to the Father except through Himself personally (John 14:6), and in Acts 4:12 we read that there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.

Here are a few more scriptures concerning salvation and eternal life:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47, KJV)

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 (1 John 5:13, KJV)

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3, KJV)

..... unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5, KJV)

The following links lead to articles that amplify aspects of what has been written above:

Mormon Salvation Exposed to the Light of the Bible

Mormonism's Deceptive Teaching On Eternal Life

The New Birth, Biblical and Mormon Viewpoints

To access a comprehensive index of fully referenced articles that compare various aspects of Mormonism with what the Bible teaches, click on the "home" button at the bottom of this page.

You are welcome to contact the editor at reply@bibtruth.com

Copyright 2007 by Mormonism and Biblical Truth. All rights reserved.