AboutRomy Brown Expertise I`ve been a member of the mormon church my whole life.
I know that the morman church is the only true church,
because of personal and spiritual experiences.
Experience I can tell you about our belief's and where in the scriptures.
you can find them,and if I don't have an answer for you I am determined to find an answer for you.
I can answer most anti-morman questions.
Organizations I'm a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
(the Mormons)
Expert: Romy Brown Date: 5/1/2008 Subject: Mormon questions
Question Romy,
In reading a recent response you gave to a question and noticed what appear to be many similarities in how Mormons look at certain aspects of Christianity as I, as a Catholic Christian do. I was wondering if you could let me know your thoughts on how Mormons look at some of the following things:
A lack of belief in "sola scriptura" (the Bible alone as a rule and guide for the faith. Although I guess we would disagree on what else constitutes as authoritative.
Some areas where we could disagree would be (and here I'm quoting you), that, "apostolic authority ceased just after the New Testament period." This seems to be Mormon belief but yet you quote Irenaeus to support your concept of divination (if that is how you refer to men becoming gods).
Your concept of divination does not appear drastically different than the way the Eastern Orthodox (and even us Catholics) understand salvation. Because we understand salvation as an intrinsic event (unlike Protestants, who understand it extrinsically), the process of sanctification results in us become more like God. We would just never refer to ourselves becoming "gods". I'm not sure if you actually do, but some further clarification might help.
Catholic Christianity rejects a belief in "irresistible grace", and focus more on the free will of man than predestination. Also, that eternal salvation depends in part upon our response to God's grace and that our relationship with him is covenantal.
We also reject the doctrine of "total depravity", that while mankind is affected by the fall in that he now has a proclivity to sin, original sin does not affect humanity to the depth that Protestants would have it. Man does need the aid of grace though in order to do good.
Your concept of sanctified relationships existing in the celestial kingdom seems similar to our understanding of purgatory, where we are sanctified in order to be ready for the perfection of God's presence in heaven.
Some other questions for you: If "human intelligence is uncreated by God", where did it come from?
Are you suggesting that without the fall we could not know "joy"? That sounds rather philosophical, and it appears that you disdain the influence of Greek philosophy on Christianity?
Why is it necessarily true that any church claiming the fullness of the gospel must also enjoy the gift of direct revelation from God? We believe that God's revelation as documented in the Bible and preseved in the Tradition of the Church is complete. While there may be more for us to learn about this revelation, it is at once complete and sufficient.
Doesn't the Old Testament condemn the addition to God's word?
We understand Christ's ministry to the dead in 1 Peter 3:18 as relating to his visit to certain souls in "limbo" a state of being for virtuous individuals who lived before the time of Christ. I guess I don't see this as being a doctrine that was lost, but rather was preserved by the Church; you might disagree with that interpretation, but what makes the Mormon interpretation better than the Catholic one?
Your understanding of the "Monophysite" nature of Christ appears to correlate to an early heresy in the church known as "Monatism". It appears that very few in the early centuries of the Church believed a reasonable interpretation of Scripture would lead one to this conclusion.
I know I've written quite a bit without clear questions related to each of my points. I guess I'd like to know why Mormons seem to have a lower opinion of Catholic Christianity than our Protestant counterparts; it seems like you have more in common with us than them.
Thanks for your time.
Edward
Answer A lack of belief in "sola scriptura" (the Bible alone as a rule and guide for the faith. “Although I guess we would disagree on what else constitutes as authoritative.
addition to God's word?”
I thing what you are getting at is concerns about why we use additional scriptures as well as the bible. While we consider the Bible to be the word of God, we do not consider it to contain all of God's words. We accept, in addition to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as true scripture. These four scriptural collections are called the Standard Works. In addition, we believe in continuing modern revelation and believe that Joseph Smith and all subsequent presidents of the church were and are prophets and representatives of Jesus Christ. Obviously, if all of our beliefs were fully explained in the Bible, then we would have no need of the additional scriptural sources noted above. The reason we need these additional scriptures is because the Bible is incomplete regarding God's plan for the human family. While we beliefs are certainly consistent with the Bible, since it is one of our standard works, a person must also use these other sources of God's teachings if he or she wants to understand what Latter-day Saints believe. Furthermore, Latter-day prophets and apostles, equal in authority to prophets and apostles of ancient times, have further clarified and elaborated gospel doctrines beyond what the scriptures explicitly teach. I have been told from non-Mormons that you shouldn’t add to the bible, one can only assume they were referring to Revelation 22:18-9 which states:
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book."
However a brief review of some historical facts should clear up this issue. The Bible is a collection of sacred writings that were compiled into book format centuries after the death of the original writers. When the Apostle John wrote these verses, the Bible as we know it today had not been compiled yet. Therefore, his words could not possibly be applied to the entire collection of writings today known as the Bible. John was referring specifically to the Book of Revelation.
Additionally, even though Revelation is traditionally placed last in the Bible, most Biblical scholars do not believe that it was the last book to be written among the compiled records contained in the Bible. If your reasoning is true, then those Books would also have to be removed from the Bible and discarded as false.
Also, please note the very similar wording by Moses found in Deuteronomy 4:2:
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."
If your interpretation of the Revelation verses were correct, then they would have to be applied here as well. In which case, the Old Testament after Deuteronomy and the entire New Testament would have to be discarded as false.
Finally, I should say that the words of both Moses and John are true. Man should not take it upon himself to add to or diminish the word of God.
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:21)
God has a plan for us and chooses men called Prophets to teach us his plan. Prophets teach the word of God as they are moved by the Holy Ghost. It is the same today as it was 2000 years ago, for God is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
"For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him". (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 10:18)
It only proves that Revelation 22:18-19 can either mean that: 1.) self-initiated editors are warned about adding or taking away from the Book of Revelation (or perhaps one might think John meant all scripture); 2.) or as is much more commonly interpreted, that God will never give more direction revelation and scripture other than the Bible, such that any claims like the Book of Mormon must be the addition of man and therefore false! It is my contention that the evidence against the latter interpretation is so immense that one cannot logically defend that view of this scripture, independent of what one's religious beliefs are and of whether one believes there will be additional revelation and scripture. The arguments against this common interpretation can be classified into three broad categories: 1.) this view is overwhelmingly inconsistent with the Bible; 2.) John was speaking only about the Book of Revelation (though the correct meaning could logically be extended to all scripture); and 3.) By understanding Bible history, it becomes obvious the passage could not have been referring to the Bible.
I myself feel that the bible is not complete, and if it was where are these books in these scriptures below that are not included in the bible:
"The book of Nathan the prophet" (1 Chr. 29:29, 2 Chr. 9:29)
"Is this not written in the book of Jasher?" (Josh. 10:13, 2 Sam. 1:18)
Manasseh's dealings with God "are written among the sayings of the seers" (2 Chr. 33:19)
"Written in… the prophesy of Ahijah" (2 Chr. 9:29)
An earlier Pauline epistle to Corinth (1 Cor. 5:9)
"The book of Gad the seer" (1 Chr. 29:29)
"The book of the wars of the Lord" (Num. 21:14)
"Written in… the visions of Iddo the seer" (2 Chr. 9:29, 13:22)
"Read the epistle from Laodicea" (Col. 4:16)
"The book of Samuel the seer" (1 Chr. 29:29)
"The book of the acts of Solomon" (I Kings 11:41)
"The book of Shemaiah the prophet" (2 Chr. 12:15)
A previous epistle from Jude (Jude 1:3)
"The book of JehI
In Matthew 2:23 it reads: "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." Jude 1:14 reads: "And Enoch… prophesied of these…" Where are these prophesies from these prophets? Apparently lost. Apparently there are other books of scripture.
Throughout all of history, when God has found a people that would work with him, it has been through revelation to his prophets (apostles are prophets who have the extra calling to be witnesses of Christ and his resurrection.) The record of these revelations is scripture. Amos 3:7 reads: "Surely the Lord God will do NOTHING (my emphasis) except he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." So why would God change his pattern now? Indeed, how could God work with his people except through revelation?
Some argue that there was no need for revelation following the apostles' demise. Where's the logic for this? If everything necessary for heaven is so obvious, then why does Christianity have such wide chasms just on the core principles of salvation alone? (For instance, the Bible says baptism is necessary – is that true? And if so, is immersion necessary? Must it be by priesthood authority? As long as the baptism is in Christ's name, can it be into any church, including the Mormons? What happens to those who never heard of Christ and had no chance to be baptized? What sins annul salvation through baptism? And must infants be baptized?)
And aside from revelation for salvation, what about revelation for earthly needs? Would Noah have built the ark on a hunch? Would the Israelites have left Egypt without a Moses? Would Peter have taken the gospel to the Gentiles on his own predisposition?
Also how could the world need revelation after Christ, but not after the apostles? And though the church is "built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone" (Eph. 2:20, also see Eph. 3:5), we no longer need direction from Christ through his prophets and apostles? Foundations and cornerstones are no longer relevant to modern buildings? Also read 1 Cor. 12, and then focus on verses 28-29.
Even among the "people of God", man's pattern has been to drift away from the truth. Noah's world was decadent. The history of the "chosen Israelites" is a constant repetition of sin and apostasy. Most of the New Testament books are epistles full of corrections to the already-varying members who had previously been converted. The New Testament talks about continued apostasy (2 The. 2, 1 Cor. 11:18-19, Mat 24:5,24, Acts 20:29 among many others). Do Protestants believe there was no apostasy in the Catholic/Orthodox churches? The unfortunate pattern and history of God's people is that they veer from the pure and complete teaching of God, thus they need continued revelation and scripture from prophets. Can one honestly deny the benefit revelation would have today?
Ezekiel 37:15-20 prophesies about the stick of Judah – the Bible. (Almost all the Old and New Testament books were written by ethnic Jews, Paul a Benjamite is appropriately called a Jew as Benjamin was the other tribe in the Kingdom of Judah, and though Moses was a Levite his and all other books were maintained by the Jews through the centuries.) Clearly the stick of Judah is the Bible. But this passage also prophesies of the writing of the stick of Joseph and how that one day it would join with the Bible. This prophesies was fulfilled with the Book of Mormon. Even if one doesn't accept the Book of Mormon, one must still try to explain this prophesy of future Joseph scripture. And after that, then Isaiah 29 must be the next to be explained away.
What about the scriptures about future revelations? I like Acts 3:21 where it talks about how Christ will be in heaven "until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" – the restoration of Christ's original gospel prior to his second coming. How about Rev. 11:3: "they shall prophecy"? Or Rev. 14:6, Eph. 1:10, or Daniel 2? The Bible is so full of events that will occur prior to Christ's second coming that a complete list would be inappropriate. But since the passage under debate is at the end of the New Testament, I will refer you to the end of the Old Testament – Mal. 4:5-6. So now Elijah can't come after all because additional revelation is not possible? Which testament-closer does one now choose?
If there was such a dramatic departure in God's practice that he would never again give revelation, prophets would never again occur, and there never would be new scripture, why wouldn't God have said so? Or his apostles or prophets? Where are scriptures to support this besides the convoluted reading of the Revelation passage being debated? Such a radical new dogma based solely on a highly illogical reading of a single scripture – is this sound? Sadly, there are several scriptures sometimes referenced to "support" this view of no more revelation or scripture, but they also rely on the same "logic" of making interpretations that clearly aren't supported by what the scripture says. However, one of the strongest arguments for something is to review the weakness of the arguments used against a proposition. Some of the scriptures illogically quoted for "never any more prophets, revelation, or scripture" are John 15:15, Heb. 1:1-2, John 16:12-13, II Tim. 3:14-17, I Cor. 13:8, II Cor. 11:13-15, Mat. 11:13, Acts 20:20&27, II Pet. 1:3, Deut. 12:32, Prov. 30:5-6, Isa. 8:20, Acts 17:11, Gal. 1:6-9, I The. 5:21, and I John 4:1 among others.
So many doctrines are insufficiently discussed in the Bible for there to be a unity of faith within the Christian world. Consequently perhaps the Bible isn't all the direction a Christian could possibly need. If it was, why were so many Catholic councils (and Protestant conferences in more recent times) held through the centuries to decide not only policies but also (disturbingly so) doctrine!?
When one takes a scripture at face value and then finds it overwhelmingly inconsistent with the entire Bible, one should wonder whether they have the correct interpretation. But this isn't the case for Revelation 22:18-19. While the common interpretation is inconsistent with the entire Bible, it is also entirely inconsistent with what the face value of what the scripture itself says. When it says that if man changes the book, man will be punished, that is exactly what it means! It simply doesn't forbid God from further revelation, prophets, or scripture.
A careful analysis of the passage will clearly indicate that it only referred to the Book of Revelation.
John said "this book" three times. There was no compiled Bible with a blank page at the end that John was writing on. This book was the book he was writing – the book of Revelation.
The above phrases from the passage again indicate John was just referring to the Book of Revelation. Within the New Testament the first five books are primarily historical, the next 21 are instructional letters, and the last is Revelation, the sole book that is almost entirely prophecy. Rev. 1:1-3 states that this will be a book of prophecy. In Rev. 1:11 Christ tells John "What thou seest, write in a book" and then ten more times in the book John is told to write of the prophecies, with one time being told not to write something. Then in the final chapter there are the phrases "the sayings of the prophecy of this book" and "keep the sayings of this book." Keep in mind "prophecy" and "revelation" is very similar words. The book of this prophecy is clearly the Book of Revelation, not the Bible.
Also revealing is what the Lord said in verse 10 of the final chapter: "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand." John is being told to release this remarkable book of Revelation to the general public. There is no Bible at this time, so it couldn't be telling John to release the Bible. This book of prophecy is clearly the book of Revelation, not the Bible.
I urge you to carefully read both Rev. 22:18-19 as well as the entire Book of Revelation and hopefully it will lead you to conclude that this passage's warning are in the context of the Book of Revelation, not the Bible. "This/these" five times of which three are "this book", three references to topics in Revelation, plus "prophesy" two times -- it is hard to imagine contriving a passage with more blatant obvious reference to the Book of Revelation itself.
A review of Bible history will clearly indicate John could not have possibly been referring to the Bible. Even if a reader thinks that perhaps John was referring to all scripture as opposed to just the Book of Revelation, a review of Bible history will lead one to realize that John still could not have been referring specifically to the Bible.
It is believed that John wrote the Book of Revelation within a year of 95 A.D. while on the Isle of Patmos. John was banished to Patmos by Domitian. After Domitian's death in 96 A.D., John returns to Ephesus, and writes his gospel. And John's three epistles are all believed to also have been written after he left the Isle of Patmos. Thus how John could be saying there would be no more scripture when he wrote the Revelation passage? Did John instigate a plague on himself?
The Bible we have today, a compilation of several ancient books, is a relatively modern concept. Traditionally the scriptures have been individual books or sometimes small sets of books. With 362 biblical manuscripts known to have been written before the tenth century A.D., only one has a complete New Testament, and none contains the whole Bible, although it is believed that several New Testaments copies were actually written that we no longer have. Of the 5,366 known Greek biblical manuscripts, only 34 have the whole Bible, all of which were written after the year 1000. Wycliffe produced the first entire English Bible – all handwritten copies in the late 1300's. Gutenberg printed the first Bible in 1455 – 200 copies in Latin. Tyndale printed the first English New Testament in 1525. It really wasn't until after the King James Bible in 1611 that an actual Bible started becoming much more common. The concept of a Bible just didn't exist during John's time – it didn't occur until many centuries later -- John was just referring to his Book of Revelation.
Completely destructive to the concept that John was referring to the Bible is that there never has been, including today, a single Bible. What books should be part of the correct canon has been in dispute for centuries and continues today. And the dispute today is not just coming from a few minor sects. While most groups who quote Revelation 22:18-19 are typically Protestant, the typical Protestant canon is actually in the minority, as Catholics, with several more books, outnumber Protestants worldwide. So do plagues now come to all Catholics? Or are Protestants all barred from heaven?
From a 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia: "The idea of a complete and clear-cut canon of the New Testament existing from the beginning, which is from apostolic times, has no foundation in history. The Canon of the New Testament, like that of the Old, is the result of a development, of a process at once stimulated by disputes with doubters, both within and without the Church, and retarded by certain obscurities and natural hesitations, and which did not reach its final term until the dogmatic definition of the Tridentine Council." And what was this "dogmatic" council? Due to the "Protestant problem", the Pope convened the Council of Trent in 1546. For the first time the Catholic Church officially adopted a certain canon (the same canon already prevalent) and made it a matter of membership – the canon decree was voted in 24 to 15 with 16 abstentions. (Hard to tell what inspires more "confidence" – canon being decided by a vote, that the "yes" vote couldn't get a majority, or that what made this stick was the declaration that anyone not supporting this would be excommunicated and cursed.)
When it comes to the book of Revelations the passage means what it says – it specifies punishments for anyone who might decide to edit the Book of Revelation. We can safely assume the principle is sound advice for anyone contemplating using their own "wisdom" to edit any scripture. I think it is also safe to assume the condemnation is not to the honest but mistaken translator or scribe, but rather to those who purposely change meaning. With the wealth of ancient documents now available, we have learned that today's translations are remarkably consistent which can give the modern reader confidence. But we have also learned that there are several passages with variations which reflect the need for such a Revelation passage warning. Furthermore, with some of the "modern" bibles, we can see that some feel free to take liberties with the Bible.
A common Biblical pattern is that often people might accept ancient dead prophets, but not accept live ones. Christ Himself said this (Mat. 23:29-37). The New Testament harshly condemns the Pharisees and Sadducees and scribes who couldn't accept the revelation in their day, and some segments of Christianity have despised Jews for 2,000 years. Ironically, generic Christianity's arguments against the LDS Church reflect remarkably well many of the same attitudes of the Jews against Christianity 2,000 years ago.
An entire chapter, II Nephi 29, in the Book of Mormon prophesied today's attitudes – about how people would just assume that there can't be any more scripture other than the Bible. It's ironic that the core argument against the book is actually a fulfillment of prophesy within the book.
It's also ironic that many people who believe in no more revelation or scripture after John often treat the Nicene Creed (that came 3 centuries later) as being above the scriptures. Particularly ironic because the creed's incomprehensible dogma (3=1, 1=3) goes directly against how the Bible treats the Godhead as three unique individuals – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
It's ironic that Christian sects today simultaneously proclaim that there will be no more prophets/revelation/scripture, while proclaiming they are God's church with all the keys and knowledge for salvation. Now I want to hasten to add I have a great deal of respect for the various Christian churches – both because they teach many true principles and because they are full of outstanding sincere people. But feel-good fuzziness is not an acceptable approach for seeking salvation, and while delicacy is good for diplomacy, it's disastrous for eternal determination. Either a church is headed by God, or it isn't. Either a church has divine guidance that can be considered as scripture (whether or not it is officially canonized), or it only has human wisdom. Either a prophet speaks, or a council votes. There is either prophetic counsel or political compromise. Direction is from holy inspiration or human intelligence. Doctrinal clarity or debate constantly. If a church denies prophets, revelation, and additional scripture -- it logically denies being God's church that He runs.
While Rev. 22:18-19 is misquoted to say that there that will never be any more prophets, revelation, and scripture, we should instead follow what the Lord said about discerning false prophets. In Matthew 7:15-20 the Lord said to beware of false prophets and that by their fruits ye shall know them. It's ironic that even anti-LDS writings frequently extol the highly exemplary lives led by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Upon a thorough review of the issues, the common rendering of Revelations 22:18-19, that there will never be more scripture after the Bible, is simply an untenable passage interpretation. Untenable independent of what one's religious beliefs are, including whether one believes there ever will be additional revelation and scripture.
Saving perhaps the best evidence for last, a topic that deserves volumes, the Book of Mormon is in my opinion the most persuasive evidence of further scripture about Christ. My invitation to you is to simply read it yourself!
It is the humble but bold testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that God has restored His church, given additional scriptures, and continued to guide His church once again through modern revelation to a modern prophet and a modern twelve apostles. Just as the first coming of Christ was not an unprophesied event, so this greatly prophesied preparatory era prior to Christ's second coming should also not surprise the serious student of scripture. An unparalleled unique prophetically promised clarion call of such splendorous stupendous significance decidedly deserves real review, not canon-closing clinches sourced from superficial scholarship of Revelations readings!
“Refer to men becoming gods.”
To spread the false notion that we do not show proper reverence towards the Godhead, anti-Mormons often tell people that Latter-day Saints believe that they will become co-equal, or on the same level, with God and no longer worship him. This misrepresentation is a twisting of an LDS doctrine called exaltation, a doctrine which the Bible clearly teaches.
We believe our Heavenly Father has given us this mortal life to become more like him. Those who are true and faithful in all things will sit in the throne of Christ. (Rev 3:21) They will have the name of God the Father placed upon them (Rev 14:1) we believe that they shall be "heirs of God and joint-heirs of Christ" (Rom 8:17). What shall the faithful inherit? ALL THINGS according to scripture (Heb 1:2) "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
"For I [am] the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I [am] holy." (Leviticus 11:45)
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)
We call anyone who sits in the throne of God, has God's name and attributes, and who has inherited all things (i.e. - power, dominion, knowledge) from God-----a god.
Hence the scripture, "God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods....I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." Psalms (82:1,6)
While we believe that the faithful will enjoy a life similar to our Heavenly Father, we also believe we will still be subject to and worship the God of Heaven, which is represented as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Furthermore, while we will be "gods, even the sons of God" (D&C 76:58), we will never be at the same level as them or stop worshipping them, but we will be like them and enjoy a quality of life similar to theirs.
”Catholic Christianity rejects a belief in "irresistible grace", and focus more on the free will of man than predestination. Also, that eternal salvation depends in part upon our response to God's grace and that our relationship with him is covenantal.”
I think what you are trying to get across is that why we believe that it is essential to be saved by and work's and not grace alone. As I share my views with other Christians who are not Latter-day Saints, I am amazed at the misinformation that has been spread about this Church. Many ministers publicly teach that Latter-day Saints are not Christians. The reason? Because, they claim, we think we get to heaven by keeping commandments, through our works, and not through the grace of Christ. Even those who know that we worship Christ and revere his word sometimes claim that we are not Christians because they say that we worship a different Christ than the one in the Bible or that we think we are saved by our works and become God.
Among all sordid deceptions and attacks in anti-Mormon literature, perhaps the most common assault is on our views - or on misrepresentations of our views - about grace and works. There was on article once in some paper which quoted Brigham Young saying something that sounded very much like the Third Article of Faith:
"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."
The Atonement of Christ and the grace He offers us is perhaps the most important thing that we could ever know. It is the core of the Gospel, of our religion, and should be at the core of our lives. We must likewise know how He offers us the riches of his grace, and what we must do to accept and partake of that grace. And therein lays the confusion that clouds much of the popular theology of today, a confusion that sadly clouds the thinking of some Latter-day Saints as well.
No effort required? Consider the words of Christ in Luke 9:23-24:
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
My intent is to use the scriptures to clarify the relationship between grace, works, and salvation. I intend to show that the teachings of the Bible agree precisely with the teachings of the Book of Mormon and with the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I will also expose the two major misconceptions that have lead to much confusion and error. The first misconception, which in ignorance has even been taught by a few well-meaning Latter-day Saints, is that we earn our way to heaven by keeping commandments. That is absolutely false, and I hope that such phraseology and doctrine is never heard from our lips. As we will see in a moment, it is completely inconsistent with the scriptures and with all that is taught by the Church. Without the grace of Christ, nothing we did in this life would have any eternal value. All the obedience in the world cannot cleanse one of sin or conquer death - only the grace of Christ gives us such hope. The second misconception, one that has become surprisingly common among Christian churches, is that we are saved by grace without any effort on our part, that once we are saved we are guaranteed salvation without the need to keep the commandments of Christ. Now the meaning of this phrase, "keep the commandments," is that we strive to obey and follow Christ, but not that we must fulfill every letter perfectly, for none can do that. But Christ asks us to follow Him with all our heart, and we do that by striving to obey and honor Him. Our failure to be perfect is made up by His grace, for His grace is sufficient to cover our failings and imperfections if we truly strive to accept Him.
Many popular teachings about grace and works derive from Martin Luther's teaching of justification by faith alone, the idea that nothing we can do - other than believe - can have any impact on our eternal relationship with Christ. This doctrine, which is tied to Luther's views on human free will and predestination, is discussed in more detail in a separate section below on this page. For now, let me just point out that salvation by "faith alone" or "faith only" is not a biblical doctrine. Such terminology occurs only once that I am aware of in the Bible, in a verse many Protestants may not hear very often over the pulpit, for that verse, James 2:24, explicitly teaches that faith alone is NOT sufficient for salvation: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." The Greek phrase means "not by faith alone." This is what the Bible teaches: salvation by "faith alone" directly and explicitly contradicts the New Testament, which says that salvation is NOT by faith alone. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17), and if dead, it is clearly not sufficient for salvation. In fact, even Paul states that even if he had "all faith" but lacked charity, he would be nothing (1 Cor. 13:3), and concludes that among faith, hope, and charity, charity is the greatest (1 Cor. 13:13). The idea that faith alone is sufficient is simply not what the Bible teaches.
Further, as I wish to demonstrate in the review of Biblical teachings below, the doctrine of salvation by faith alone without any requirement for obedience is not truly consistent with Biblical teachings on salvation, on judgment, on free will, and on the relationship between faith, and works. My intent, however, is not to criticize Protestantism or Martin Luther, a great but fallible Christian leader. My desire here is to clarify the truth about salvation and grace.
The truth is that we are saved by the grace of Christ which is offered to us through a covenant, a two-way contract: if we accept Christ and do our part, following and obeying him, then Christ does everything else, forgiving us, cleansing us, healing us, and giving us power to return to the presence of the Father - not because we earned it, but because we accepted the terms upon which he offers his infinite grace and mercy. Even in the days of Moses, the Lord proclaimed that God "shows mercy to those that keep his commandments" (Deut. 5:10), a principle that has not changed. The mercy or grace offered through a two-way covenant with Christ is implied in the Third LDS Article of Faith which is quoted above, and in the teaching of the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi who wrote in 2 Nephi 25:23:
For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
The Book of Mormon actually makes it clear that humans are incapable of doing well on their own, due to our fallen nature, and that we must be changed by the power of Christ to be able to follow Him. This means that salvation comes through "the merits of Christ," not our own, but we still must choose Him and seek to repent of our sins with faith in Him. When we turn toward Christ, He can perfect us and make us complete. Samuel the Lamanite, a Book of Mormon prophet shortly before the birth of Christ, said (Helaman 14:13):
And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.
Moroni makes a similar statement in Moroni 10:32:
Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ....
In Alma 12:33-34, the prophet Alma explains the basics of salvation:
But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son;
Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.
A few chapters later, the missionary Aaron teaches a convert that we cannot earn our way to heaven:
And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth.
Mercy and forgiveness from God is a gift, but we must meet the conditions God has given to receive that gift. We must repent and humbly follow Christ. Another Book of Mormon prophet, Lehi, explained the nature of grace and mercy in one of the most profound and powerful chapters in all of scripture, 2 Nephi chapter 2, verses 5-8:
...And by the law no flesh is justified....
Wherefore redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah, for he is full of grace and truth.
Behold he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
...no flesh...can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit...
Then, following a brilliant and inspired discourse on the relationship between opposition, agency, and the Fall of man - a discourse which solves many of the philosophical puzzles that have stumped philosophers and theologians for centuries, Lehi shows how the Atonement of Christ offers us true liberty, true freedom to choose between the great opposites of eternal life or death. Starting in verse 28, he concludes by urging his sons and us to choose Christ:
And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life....
And to his son Jacob, Lehi said, "Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer" (2 Nephi 2:3), clearly indicating that salvation comes through the grace of Christ and His righteousness, not ours.
Later, around 550 B.C., Lehi's son, Nephi, also a prophet, gives us more specific instructions on what we must do to partake of this grace of Christ (2 Nephi 31: 19,20):
...after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path [referring to faith in Christ, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost], I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
Wherefore, ye must press forward with steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forwards, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
A related passage of great beauty and clarity is in Mosiah 4:1-12, A few key verses follow:
2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.
3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.
4 And king Benjamin again opened his mouth and began to speak unto them, saying: My friends and my brethren...
6 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body--
7 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.
8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh....
10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.
11 ... I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.
This doctrine is clear, powerful, and beautiful, and is the core doctrine of the Church, for which we are called non-Christian by our enemies and even by sincere, well-meaning people, people who have been deceived by false doctrines of men. These false doctrines teach that once we accept Christ into our heart, we are saved - guaranteed, with no risk of ever falling. Some teach that we don't really need to strive to obey God's commandments or to make our calling and election sure. Some of these false prophets, who have twisted and mangled the word of God, teach the questionable doctrine of "once saved, always saved," even if we commit murder and fight against Christ. They lull people into false security, telling them that they are saved and that no further effort on their part is needed. As we shall see in a moment, this is far from the plain teachings of Christ.
Fortunately, many Christian ministers do teach the importance of obeying God and growing through diligence and obedience. And better still, the behavior of many Christians surpasses the theology that they are sometimes taught, for many of these Christians - true Christians - show with their fruits that they earnestly seek to follow Christ with all their heart and strength, that they wish to obey him and endure to the end. Rather than sitting on their heavenly laurels, they show that they are prepared to sacrifice all to follow him.
Unfortunately, too many Latter-day Saints fail to appreciate the strength of the Latter-day Saint position, a position which accords perfectly with the teachings of the Bible. Too many of us are unprepared to respond to scriptural questions from those of other faiths. I fear that we have not been clear enough in our study and teaching of the scriptures. I wish now to turn to the Bible to help us understand what the Bible really teaches about grace and salvation. I can only cover a small part in any depth, but for your study I have prepared a list of some key scriptures that we should be familiar with.
From the beginning of God's dealings with men, God has offered blessings to us through covenants. He offers us his mercy, his protection, his assistance, if we will simply follow him. That is not to say that we earn anything, but that he chooses to bless us if we do what he asks. Consider the words of God in Exodus 20:6, where God explains that he offers "mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." Has that concept changed? Was it revoked by Christ? Absolutely not. As we shall see below, God continues to offer his grace and mercy to those that love him and keep his commandments. The covenant nature of God's dealings with man should be kept in mind as we now consider the issue of grace and works.
A great place to begin is with a beautiful, powerful passage found in 2 Peter 1:3-10:
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
This passage is not an exception - its teachings are echoed throughout the Bible. Listen to these words: (verse 3) through Christ's power, we are given all things pertaining to godliness, for we have been called to glory, and in verse 4, we read that by these things we can become partakers of the divine nature - becoming more like the Lord - a state which we call eternal life or exaltation. To achieve this, Peter teaches us that growth is required, giving us a list of attributes to achieve step by step, "giving all diligence." It's not automatic! Those that do not do this can fall - becoming as if their sins had never been purged. In verse 10, he pleads that it not be so with us:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
Yes, we can fall (see also 1 Cor. 10:12), but not if we give diligence and endure to the end to make our calling and election sure. Amazingly clear.
That opening passage has very sacred overtones. It explains why we must endure and grow - because God is not just interested in slapping angel wings on our back and saying "you're saved." He is our Father and wants us to grow and develop and become more like him. How sacred this teaching is - that there is something divine that we have inherited from God, and that within us is the potential to fully become sons and daughters of God, living in his presence and sharing in the fullness of eternal life that is his. This profound truth is the target of some of the vilest attacks on our religion, yet it is a truth held and taught by the original Christian Church. Recall the words we just read from Peter, who spoke of Christ giving us all things that pertain to life and godliness, that we are called to glory and virtue, that we might be partakers of the divine nature. Now turn to Romans 8: 14-18, where Paul teaches the same concept:
For as many as are lead by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
...The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God;
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together;
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Joint-heirs with Christ! Divine glory to be revealed within us! This passage shows that we have a divine inheritance, that we are children of God. And just as earthly parents want their children to grow and become more like the parents, so our Father in heaven wants us to grow and partake of his glorious gift of eternal life. It is not an instant process, but one that requires that we learn, obey, and strive. This is further affirmed in Hebrews 12: 9,10:
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He [God] for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness."
Yes, God wants us to obey him and to be corrected that we might become partakers of his holiness, of the divine nature. It is through such striving that we can become more like His son, Christ. Listen to the words of Christ given to John in Rev. 3:21:
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Also in 1 John 3: 2:
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him...
This doctrine is heavy, profound, even troubling, and easily misunderstood. To keep it clear, remember this: the growth and development and success of a child in no way detract from the honor or glory of the parents, but add to it. If we participate in Eternal Life as heirs of God, we will be worshipping and glorifying God fully and wonderfully - not taking or usurping his glory. And we will more perfectly and fully be able to say that we are His children, and He is our God, and glory be to his name forever.
Alas, much of the religious world condemns as for our belief in what the Bible teaches on this matter - that we can be joint heirs with Christ, who will always be our savior, and that through his Atonement, we can overcome and partake of the glory of the divine nature. It is a difficult and sacred doctrine, yes, but it is purely scriptural and needs to confront prayerfully, contritely, with awe and reverence of how merciful our God is.
Now, how do we follow the commandment from Christ to become "perfect" (whole, complete)? How do we "overcome" to receive the promised blessings of Rev. 3:21 and Rev. 21:7? In other words, how do we take up the cross and truly follow Christ to obtain eternal life? Is there anything that we must do at all other than believe? Must there be a change in behavior, in our daily walk? Is there a need for patience and endurance? Paul teaches us in Romans chapter 2. In verse 4, he points out that the goodness of God leads us to repentance. Repentance, based on faith in Christ, is essential. We cannot allow our lives to be contaminated with evil, for there will be a righteous judgment of God, mentioned in verse 4 and 5, wherein God will judge every man according to his deeds. In verse 7, we read that God will give eternal life to those "who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality." Similar words are repeated in verse 10. In verse 13, it is "not the hearers of the law ... but the doers of the law that shall be justified" - and we know that he means justified through the Atonement of Christ, through his grace, for we are saved by grace, not by works, as Paul writes in Eph. 2:8, but it is by doing our part of the two-way covenant - the patient continuance in well-doing - that we gain access to that grace. The words of Christ to John the Beloved, as recorded in Revelation 22:12-14, reflect this relationship:
And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be....
Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Our entrance into the heavenly city is not "earned" by keeping the commandments, but through obedience we do our part in the two-way covenant of mercy and gain access to the full grace of Christ, or thereby "have the right to the tree of life." As God said in Exodus 20:6, he shows mercy (grace, kindness - not a salary based on merit!) to those that keep his commandments. That hasn't changed.
Many Christians stumble at the idea that we must "keep commandments," often misunderstanding the teachings of Paul. But the words of Christ are clear on the matter: though we are no longer under the Law of Moses, there are commandments that we must keep. He spoke of commandments frequently. In Rev. 22:14, Christ said "Blessed are they that do his commandments, . . . that they may enter in through the gates of the [heavenly] city." In John 13:34,35, Christ gave his disciples "a new commandment" to love another. In John 14:15, he said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." We need to show (and nurture) our love for him by keeping his commandments. In John 15:13, he said, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." In John 14:21,23, Christ said,
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him....
Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Christ was teaching his disciples obedience, implying that they had free will and needed to choose carefully how they lived their lives. If obedience were automatic for disciples, then Christ would not have worried about his disciple Peter and warned him that his faith could fail in Luke 22:31,32:
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
This was just hours before Christ would be taken and condemned to death. Peter had been following Christ for a long time, supposedly an experienced disciple, one who had accepted Christ and already had faith in him. Yet Christ was worried for the eternal welfare of Peter and warned him of Satan's intentions, as we all need to be warned. A few verses later, Christ warns his disciples to pray lest they enter into temptation (Luke 22:40,46). Christ even warned Peter that he would deny Christ, which shocked the disciple Peter. But Christ was right, and Peter would weep bitter tears of sorrow, the kind of sorrow that leads to repentance (Luke 22:33,34,54-62). Fortunately, Peter's fall from faith was brief and he returned to fulfill and magnify his calling in Christ's church. He had chosen to follow Christ before, and now, after denying him three times in one night, he chose to repent and continue following him again. Well I can go on and on about it on this subject but I’m a bit tired on my hands so I will go on to the next question.
We also reject the doctrine of "total depravity” that while mankind is affected by the fall in that he now has a proclivity to sin, original sin does not affect humanity to the depth that Protestants would have it. Man does need the aid of grace though in order to do good.
I think your question is referring to the fall of man and why we do not believe that infants are born in sin do to the fall of man.
We recognize the fall of Adam and Eve as an actual event that occurred in the Garden of Eden and has affected the entire earth and everyone in the human family. The fall was a necessary step in the eternal progress of mankind and introduced the conditions that made the mission of Jesus Christ absolutely necessary for salvation. The four standard works and the teachings of many prominent leaders of the Church are the sources for the LDS doctrine of the fall. These sources dwell at length on the beneficial effects of the fall as part of God's "great plan of happiness" (Book of Mormon - Alma 42:8) for his children and testify that Adam and Eve are to be honored for their actions.
The creation of the earth was a multistep process in which the fall of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden were the final necessary steps in bringing about the mortal condition. Without the Fall, Adam and Eve would have had no children (BOM-2 Ne. 2:23); hence, the human family would not have come into existence upon this earth under the conditions and circumstances in the garden. The prophet Lehi explained, "Adam fell that men might be" (BOM - 2 Ne. 2:25), and Enoch declared, "Because that Adam fell, we are" (BOM - Moses 6:48).
After the fall, Adam and Eve were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and rejoiced in their situation. Adam blessed God, saying, "Because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God" (Moses 5:10). And Eve was glad, saying, "Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient" (Pearl of Great Price - Moses 5:11).
The fall was not an accident, not an obstruction to God's plan, and not a wrong turn in the course of humanity. "The Lord…created the earth that it should be inhabited" by his children (BOM - 1 Ne. 17:36), and since Adam and Eve would have had no children in their Edenic condition, the Fall was a benefit to mankind. It was part of the Father's plan, being both foreknown to him and essential to the human family. All these things were "done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things" (BOM - 2 Ne. 2:24).
The Fall brought two kinds of death upon Adam, Eve, and their posterity: the separation of the spirit and the physical body, which the scriptures call the "temporal death" (Alma 11:42-43); and being shut out of God's presence, which is called spiritual death (2 Ne. 9:6; D&C 29:41). Jesus Christ redeems all mankind unconditionally from the two deaths brought by the Fall of Adam, raises all mankind from the grave, and restores them to God's presence for a judgment (Hel. 14:16-17). The Atonement also redeems individuals from the consequences of their own sins on conditions of repentance.
The Book of Mormon explains, "The natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the Fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticing of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord" (Mosiah 3:19; cf. Alma 22:14; 42:9-15). God "created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ,…and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man" (Morm. 9:12; 2 Ne. 9:6).
The Doctrine and Covenants states that the fall occurred as a result of transgression: "The devil tempted Adam, and he partook of the forbidden fruit and transgressed the commandment…. Wherefore, I, the Lord God, caused that he should be cast out from the Garden of Eden, from my presence, because of his transgression, wherein he became spiritually dead" (D&C 29:40-41). Thereafter, God sent angels to teach Adam and his seed "repentance and redemption, through faith on the name of mine Only Begotten Son" (D&C 29:42; Moses 5:6-8).
The fall was not a sin against chastity. Adam and Eve were "man and wife" and were commanded by God to multiply (Gen. 1:27-28; Moses 3:21-25; Abr. 5:14-19). Joseph Fielding Smith, an apostle explained, "The transgression of Adam did not involve sex sin as some falsely believe and teach. Adam and Eve were married by the Lord while they were yet immortal beings in the Garden of Eden and before death entered the world".
An inseparable relationship between the fall of Adam and the Atonement of Jesus Christ is established in ancient and modern scripture. Paul's summation is, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22). Latter-day revelation further emphasizes that Christ will redeem all things from death and the effects of the fall.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that Adam's role was "to open the way of the world" (TPJS, p. 12); thus, he was the first man to enter mortality, and the fall of Adam has a mortal effect upon the entire earth. The earth shall die (D&C 88:25-26), but through the atoning power of Jesus Christ "the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory" (A of F 10). "All things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; and not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the workmanship of mine hand" (D&C 29:24-25; cf. 101:24-26; Isa. 51:6).
As Lehi declared, "If Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the Garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end" (2 Ne. 2:22; Moses 3:9). Various interpretations have been suggested concerning the nature of life on the earth before the fall and how the fall physically affected the world, but these go beyond the clearly stated doctrine of the Church. The Church and the scriptures are emphatic, however, that the fall brought the two kinds of death to Adam and his posterity.
”Celestial Mariage”
We believe that a marriage is eternal if married by God. There are indications of eternal marriage and eternal families in the Bible. One of the earliest comes from Job. At the end, Job is blessed with double of all the things he had lost (Job 42:10,12). We are then given a lost of these things, and indeed we see that he was blessed with double the number of sheep, camels, oxen, and asses. But "he had also seven sons and three daughters" (Job 42:13), the same number be had before his trial (Job 1:2). The implication is that he still had the original children, consistent with the LDS view that families can be eternal.
2 Pet. 3:7 hints at eternal marriage, when Peter speaks of the man and woman being "heirs together" of the grace of life. Another suggestion of eternal marriage comes from the word of Christ about the sealing power he gave to Peter (Matt. 16:19 and Matt. 18:18): whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound (sealed) in heaven. And of marriage, Christ said "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6). Also, in the Lord (possibly meaning in heaven or in the eternities), the man is not without the woman and vice versa, according to 1 Cor. 11:11.
The Bible is admittedly incomplete in its teachings of eternal marriage, as it is for many doctrines and practices had by early Christians, including baptism for the dead (1 Cor. 15:29), the method of ordaining by the laying on of hands, the role of prophets and others in the church, the switch of the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday, and so forth. But that doesn't mean that these concepts were not taught clearly by the Lord. Christ taught his apostles for 40 days after His resurrection, and we hardly have a word recorded of what He taught. John says his record just scratches the surface of all that Christ did and taught (John 21:25). And we have abundant evidence that there were books of scripture treasured by the ancients that are no longer available. How do you know that eternal marriage was not known and taught? Its existence is not obvious in the current canon of books that were written and preserved, but there are evidences from early Christian sources that eternal marriage was known.
In conclusion I would like to add that I am not trying to make a believer out of you, I am just hoping that you can understand where we are coming from.
