This work on mormon doctrine is designed to help persons seeking salvation to gain that knowledge of god and his laws without which they. Created not conceived the apostles and prophets of biblical times, and jesus christ himself, teach that man was created not conceived by spiritual parents. The following information is in the book of mormon. Continuing revelation is necessary to keep men on the path to salvation.
The devil the devil was born as a spirit after jesus in the morning of preexistence, mormon doctrine, p. In the bible salvation means deliverance from the consequence eternal separation from god of our sin. The doctrine of god the father in the book of mormon. Generalthat which comes to all men irrespective of a belief in. Smith, in his writings, elucidated on many of the mormon doctrine and core truths of the restored gospel. What was the nature of our life in the preexistence and what was its purpose. As we discussed previously, the mormon book doctrine and covenants teaches that mormons who marry within the context of the church, and remain obedient, shall be resurrected together. The true doctrine of christ is that all men must come unto him, gain faith, repent, be baptized, receive the holy ghost, and endure in faith to the end in order to. So in the mormon faith grace and works share a complimentary role in salvation. Jul 16, 2017 while joseph smith was clearly influenced by and even incorporated, in some sense, universalism into his doctrines, there also seems to be quite a bit in the book of mormon that seems like a deliberate attempt to refute that same doctrine. Mcconkie was a seventy, a position of authority in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, but lower in authority than an apostle or prophet.
There are a few other official pronouncements by mormon officials that deal. Mormon historian gordon irving explains the idea of the law of adoption in early mormonism. For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in christ, and to be reconciled to god. Mcconkie, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. The scriptures sometimes speak of salvation from the second death. The mormon doctrine of salvation involves not only faith in christ, but baptism by immersion, obedience to the teaching of the mormon church, good works and keeping the commandments of god which will cleanse away the stain of sin, journal of discourses, volume 2, page 4. Careful study, however, shows that 1 peter does not teach that jesus descended into the spirit world to offer. Mar 21, 2016 what does it mean to say the bom has the fulness of the gospel. The merits of jesus christ are his righteous acts, particularly his atonement. Salvation the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Nov 10, 2018 book of mormon the book of mormon is more correct than the bible, history of the church, vol. The three books in the doctrines of salvation series are directed toward a serious student of the gospel who enjoys pondering the scriptures. The prophet ezra taft benson, spoke at brigham young university on february 26, 1980. Another testament of jesus christ the following scripture is found.
Salvation in mormonism the mormon church, mormonism. Doctrines of salvation, volume i3, is an authoritative work, written by the most outstanding scholar of the gospel in the church containing a wealth of explanations about a vast array of gospel topics, many of which can not be found in other sources. The understanding the doctrine part of each doctrinal mastery learning experience is divided into learning activities segments that can generally be completed in 5 to 10 minutes each. The revelation was given in the context of the translation of the book of mormon.
The second death is the final spiritual death being cut off from righteousness and denied a place in any kingdom of glory see alma 12. Salvation and atonement the mormon doctrine of salvation. Does the church have in its possession the plates from which the book of mormon was translated by joseph smith. Mormon doctrine is primarily received by the prophet of the church. It is ironic that those who preach salvation by grace alone typically cite the apostle pauls writings but ignore the teachings of christ himself. Common terms such as salvation, god, the holy ghost and heaven can clearly be examined. Does the book of mormon contradict the bible regarding when are children capable of sin. Doctrines of the latter day saints of deception mormonslds. The doctrine of god the father is taught in specific, unique episodes of the book of mormon where the father and the son are described as separate divine personages. Evangelicals have argued on both sides of the issue. Doctrines of salvation joseph fielding smith a voice from cumorah witnesses of book of mormon chapter 12 why plates were returned to moroni. How can one commit his or her own salvation to a mere set of historical or probabilistic judgments.
Its quite the paradox, so just one more place where mormon doctrine seems to fall apart. You can manipulate it any way you want by claiming its talking about something else or that its not referring to general salvation obviously, but to the various forms of exaltation, some forms of which are considered. Third nephi 89 book of mormon teaches that jesus brought death and destruction with the cross and that his death on the cross meant wrath and destruction for historical cities like mocum, onihum, etc. Many christians have believed this masquerade and think that mormons are saved. Yet only the book of mormon teaches of an ordered, eternal plan for the salvation of men, a plan requiring a fall from the immortal or bloodless state to a mortal state in which men would have the corruptible element of blood flowing in their veins, a blood fall that required a blood atonement. Mormon doctrine is especially good for this due to its encyclopedic format. Be aware that they are compiled with the target audience being someone very familiar with the bible, book of mormon and doctrine and covenants. The truth is that the doctrines of the latter day saints are in direct opposition to the christian faith. The mormon church goes to great effort to portray itself as an orthodox christian denomination. Because members of the mormon church believe in a modern day prophet, they are open to revelation from the lord to change or expand the church.
Making this plan of salvation known is one of the things the book of mormon does best. In the church of jesus christ of latterday saints also known as the mormon church, the term salvation means, to be saved from both physical and spiritual death. This work on mormon doctrine is designed to help persons seeking salvation. Mormon doctrine is an excellent reference book for talks, personal study, research, and gaining gospel knowledge. Following is a comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. The book of mormon very clearly states the final state of some will be as if there was no salvation. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up.
The first presidency and the quorum of the twelve apostles counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official church publications. The role of grace and works in salvation and mormonism. Mormon doctrine is derived from four primary sources. From mormon doctrine it said, negroes in this life are denied the priesthood. The mormon church teaches that the gospel consists of christs redemptive work plus our obedience to laws, principles, ordinances, and rites. Mormon theology is about many gods, god being a man, men and women potentially becoming gods, but the book of mormon is basically christian in its teachings. Mormon doctrine salvation and exaltation in gods eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter. The question has been asked many times of our elders.
The mormon view of salvation the bottomline guide to. Sep 26, 2016 the compilation of doctrines of salvation, and the encyclopedic mormon doctrine, were not really bruce r. Preexistence we were first begotten as spirit children in heaven and then born. In a revelation given to the prophet joseph smith in 1829, the lord declared to joseph that this generation shall have my word through you doctrine and covenants 5. While i strongly disagree with the doctrine promoted in mormon doctrine it is an indispensible resource for understanding what mormons believe. Mar 29, 2017 in a revelation given to the prophet joseph smith in 1829, the lord declared to joseph that this generation shall have my word through you doctrine and covenants 5. It was intended primarily for a latterday saint audience and is often used as a reference book by church. The book of mormon restores plain and precious truths that were lost over the centuries.
So, with a proper understanding of what mormonism really teaches, you will be able to see past those definitions. The book of mormon speaks of salvation in 2 nephi 2. Mcconkie, sound doctrine, doctrines of salvation 3 vols, mormon doctrine, and a new witness for the articles of faith editors note. In the doctrine of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the terms saved and salvation have various meanings. Jesus and satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, mormon doctrine, p. While the book of mormon teaching that we are saved by grace after all we can do 26 may conflict with the theology of some modern christian groups, it is consistent with jesus teachings in. Jun 22, 2012 mormon doctrine salvation and exaltation in gods eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter. Despite deseret book s claim that the decision was based on declining sales, some observers opined that the move was because of the book s uncompromising presentation of controversial mormon ideas from which the church is attempting to distance itself. According to mormon apostle bruce mcconkie, author of the book mormon doctrine, the gospel is the plan of salvation that embraces all of the laws, principles, doctrines, rites, ordinances, acts, powers, authorities, and keys necessary to save and exalt men.
Tenth lds president joseph fielding smith explained, salvation is twofold. Mormons, members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, find several scriptures in the book of mormon and the doctrine and covenants a collection of modern revelations that indicate that salvation is free. Mormonism distinguishes between the holy spirit gods presence via an essence and the holy ghost the third god in the mormon doctrine of the trinity. This work on mormon doctrine is designed to help persons seeking salvation to gain that knowledge of god and his laws without which they cannot hope for an inheritance in the celestial city. The doctrine of christ helps us understand that through his grace, we can learn the gospel, receive ordinances. For mormons the ideal of salvation is to live forever as a family in the highest heaven of the celestial. He the holy ghost is a being endowed with the attributes and powers of deity, and not a mere force, or essence, articles of faith, by james talmage, p. Mormon doctrine originally subtitled a compendium of the gospel is an encyclopedic work written in 1958 by bruce r.
Why doesnt the book of mormon include other teachings found in church today, such as temple marriage, degrees of glory, etc according to the book of mormon, the doctrine of christ are the foundational principles of the gospel of salvation, not meant to be confused with the higher ordinances of the temple, etc. Mormons explicitly deny that the atonement is the basis for salvation. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of christ, and the only and true doctrine of the father, and of the son. Is the mormon doctrine of a premortal existence pagan, unchristian, or unbiblical, and therefore false. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. Our efforts to follow jesus christ and keep his commandments are necessary but insufficient to qualify us for salvation. The official mormon doctrine comes neither from the bible, nor from the book of mormon. The source to which they appeal for salvation is known as, doctrines and covenants. Though i cannot say i have read it from cover to cover i can say i have spent many hours bruce r mcconkie was one of the greatest lds scholars of our time and his years of notes were compiled into this book. Our salvation is made possible only through the merits, mercy, and grace of jesus christ. This doctrine resides in the four standard works of scripture the holy bible, the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants and the pearl of great price. With few exceptions this is the salvation of which the scriptures speak bruce r.
Mcconkie said in his book mormon doctrine, unconditional or general salvation, that which comes by grace alone without obedience to gospel law, consists in the mere fact of being resurrected. Mormon theology also maintains the existence of three heavens. Jun 09, 2009 summary the mormon church cites 1 peter 3. Mormonism and universalism where mormon doctrine falls apart. Doctrines of salvation volume 1 joseph fielding smith. Mormons believe that nearly everyone will inherit a kingdom of glory in heaven, even some people labeled very wicked for their crimes on earth, and even many who reject the gospel of jesus christ. The overwhelming acceptance and use by many latterday saints of the book, mormon doctrine, could be seen as an example of this hobby study. Mormons believe that every person will be saved from physical death by the grace of god, through the death and resurrection of jesus christ. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. Mcconkie, members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints have an obligation to understand the doctrines of salvation. Citing poor sales, deseret book opted in 2010 to cease printing mormon doctrine. No other name than jesus 21 and now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way. For mormons the ideal of salvation is to live forever as a family in the highest heaven of.
This has been a polarizing subject in our culture over the last several years. According to doctrine of the latter day saint movement, the plan of salvation also known as the plan of happiness is a plan that god created to save, redeem, and exalt humankind, through the atonement of jesus christ. The book of mormon consistently goes beyond the bible in its teachings, but is certainly in harmony with it. What is meant by the merits, mercy, and grace of jesus christ. Sermons and writings of joseph fielding smith 3 volume. Roberts gloried in the recognition that the book of mormon doctrine of god, christ, and the atonement avoids not just some but all of those paradoxes. From the beginnings of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the mormon concept of salvation has continually broadened and deepened. The inclusion of their actions and teachings are instructive to us because so many of their false doctrines are prevalent today. Set up as a cyclopedia, mormon doctrine has several thousand entries on topics relating to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, such as aaronic priesthood, jesus christ the most crossrefenced entry, atonement, evolution, and zion. The book of mormon describes the actions and teachings of three antichrists. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon. Michael quinn in his book early mormonism and the magic world view, has speculated that various parts of the plan of salvation were taken by joseph smith from emanuel swedenborgs book heaven and hell. Doctrinesof salvation volume1josephfieldingsmith identifierark ark.
Sources of mormon doctrine the book of mormon is believed by mormons to be the fullness of the everlasting gospel. According to the book of mormon, the doctrine of christ are the foundational principles of the gospel of salvation, not meant to be confused with the higher ordinances of the temple, what is the doctrine of christ. They shall then inherit thrones and kingdoms and are then declared gods because they will then rule together for. The book of mormon itself does not sustain this view which supports the claim that joseph was not the author of the book of mormon. A comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional.
In the case of each doctrine considered, it is the book of mormon and not the bible that establishes the doctrinal position of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Mormons believe and strive to follow the ten commandments and the articles of faith, which outline more basic mormon beliefs. America was the land southward in the book of mormon. One of the most powerful and impressive of these is found in nephis prophetic discourse regarding the baptism of christ in 2 nephi 31. The three degrees of glory is a new testament doctrine, central to the teachings of paul 1st corinthians 15. Mormons teach that salvation exaltation comes through faith in christ plus baptism plus works, i. You can read the book of mormon till you are blind and not find their doctrine of salvation in it. When does the book of mormon first talk about the plan of. According to doctrine of the latter day saint movement, the plan of salvation is a plan that god created to save, redeem, and exalt humankind, through the atonement of jesus christ. Visit book of mormon central at follow us on facebook and now, behold, this is the doctrine of christ, and the only and true doctrine of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost, which is one god, without end. It is the book of mormon that, first and foremost, repeatedly lays out the foundational doctrines of the fathers plan.