03) OTHER CHRISTIANS: Do we believe in being saved in the same sense that the Protestant or Evangelical “Christian” world does?

Commentary

We are not saved in this life through a one time declaration or experience of turning our life over to the Savior. Salvation as used in nearly all scripture references means that we overcome all our enemies and become like our Father in Heaven. No one fully completes this process in this life.

Prophetic Statements

Joseph Smith

“Salvation is for a man to be saved from all his enemies; for until a man can triumph over death, he is not saved. A knowledge of the priesthood alone will do this.” [1]

“In order to have this subject clearly set before the mind, let us ask what situation must a person be in, in order to be saved? or what is the difference between a saved man and one who is not saved? We answer from what we have before seen of the heavenly worlds, they must be persons who can work by faith, and who are able, by faith to be ministering spirits to them who shall be heirs of salvation. And they must have faith to enable them to act in the presence of the Lord, otherwise they cannot be saved. And what constitutes the real difference between a saved person and one not saved, is the difference in the degree of their faith: one’s faith has become perfect enough to lay hold upon eternal life, and the other’s has not. But to be a little more particular, let us ask, where shall we find a prototype into whose likeness we may be assimulated, in order that we may be made partakers of life and salvation? or in other words, where shall we find a saved being? for if we can find a saved being, we may ascertain, without much difficulty, what all others must be, in order to be saved – they must be like that individual or they cannot be saved: we think, that it will not be a matter of dispute, that two beings, who are unlike each other, cannot both be saved; for whatever constitutes the salvation of one, will constitute the salvation of every creature which will be saved: and if we find one saved being in all existence, we may see what all others must be, or else not be saved. We ask, then, where is the prototype? or where is the saved being? We conclude as to the answer of this question there will be no dispute among those who believe the bible, that it is Christ: all will agree in this that he is the prototype or standard of salvation, or in other words, that he is a saved being. And if we should continue our interrogation, and ask how it is that he is saved, the answer would be, because he is a just and holy being; and if he were any thing different from what he is he would not be saved; for his salvation depends on his being precisely what he is and nothing else; for if it were possible for him to change in the least degree, so sure he would fail of salvation and lose all his dominion, power, authority and glory, which constitutes salvation; for salvation consists in the glory, authority, majesty, power and dominion which Jehovah possesses, and in nothing else; and no being can possess it but himself or one like him:” [2]

Scripture

Mosiah 4:6-8

3 Nephi 27:13, 16-21

Alma 7:14-16

Helaman 14:13

3 Nephi 12:18-20

2 Nephi 10:24

Helaman 5:6-14

2 Nephi 31:13-21

Contrasting Statements

Supporting Statements


  1. Joseph Smith, Teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 305
  2. Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, pg, 66-67
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