Saved or damned

The controversy over what Mormons believe about “saved by grace” came up the other day when we were sitting in the living room of a friend from college — Sam, my husband’s track buddy.  We dropped by during the holiday to say hello. In conversation, I asked Sam about his dad who was a Pentecostal preacher, and a family of faith — the salt of the earth kind of people (there’s 15 kids in the family). Sam attends Calvary Chapel, a denomination that teaches anti-Mormon doctrine from time to time.

He asked, “Where do you get all that extra stuff? Saved by Grace — that’s it.”

I thought, it’s better to look for common ground, and avoid all contention — but maybe I can explain our differences.

Different meanings of “saved”

The scriptures can be interpreted differently; the meaning of “saved by grace” has been a point of contention. I told Sam, “we believe we’re saved by grace. He looked a little shocked. In fact, we believe that Christ’s atonement saves almost everyone  even the unbeliever (all except the sons of perdition).

There are different degrees or levels of salvation

Level-1:  All are saved from the fall by grace — Christ has atoned for the original sin so that all mankind will be resurrected; reuniting flesh and bone. But without personal repentance, Level-1 salvation requires that you pay the demands of justice – yourself.

For example, “what does this mean which Amulek hath spoken concerning the resurrection of the dead, that all shall rise from the dead, both the just and the unjust, and are brought to stand before God to be judged according to their works?” (Alma 12:9)

It means that all are resurrected – the just and the unjust – but the unjust are “judged according to their works (behavior),” and the demands of justice are satisfied by the individual.

Level-2:  Christ’s atonement satisfies the demands of justice (paying the price for our sins) on the condition that we repent. The gospel – the good news — is that faith, repentance, baptism by water (that we perform), followed by the Baptism of fire (that He performs), serves to deliver the individual from the influences of sin, both here and now, and at a future judgment day. Through personal repentance, you’ve  entered the gate.

Level-3: Continue in faith, repentance, prayer, and abounding in good works (voluntary behavior), and add  seeking greater light and knowledge or the mysteries of God.

“He that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed;(Alma 26:22)

The works we must do to reach this higher level are to seek the greater light and knowledge or the mysteries of God. The scriptures and the temple ordinances teach us how to come into the presence of God, to reach a more exalted state of salvation. But just performing “works” is not the ticket; the ordinances themselves are instructional; they teach the natural man to become endowed with the Spirit of God, even a fullness thereof. For example, we must seek the face of the Lord (receive the second comforter) to obtain the promise; that is, to enter into the rest of the Lord.

Saved or Damned

I asked Sam what he meant by “saved by grace.” He explained that saved by grace meant to live with Christ in heaven. When I asked him how many heavens exist — he explained that when we die there are only two options — to live in Heaven with Christ or to live in hell with the devil.

More Inclusive

Mormons have a more inclusive view of salvation. We believe “in my father’s house are many mansions…” — many degrees of salvation; through repentance and accepting Christ as your savior, you can escape suffering for your own sins. Although, you do suffer somewhat as part of the repentance process, but not what is required by the demands of justice, because Christ has paid the price.

I don’t believe that people outside my faith will go to hell. There are many good people and some of them are progressing up a slightly different path — God will not forsake them. I believe Sam will be saved, and the Hindis, and the Buddhists, and others. People have different circumstances, history, and traditions, and everyone will be judged by Him who understands all this.

I believe that all people are saved:  We are redeemed from the fall. Christ’s grace has atoned for the original sin so that all mankind will be resurrected.