08) WORKS: Why do latter-day saints believe in grace and works?

Bible Verses

James 2:14, 17-18, 21

What profit is it, my brethren, for a man to say he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
…
Even so faith, if it have not works is dead, being alone.

Therefore wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead and cannot save you?
…
Seest thou how works wrought with his faith, and by works was faith made perfect?

Latter-day Scriptures

Helaman 12:24

And may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their works.

JST, James 2:15

Yea, a man may say, I will show thee I have faith without works; but I say, Show me thy faith without works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

Prophetic Statements

Joseph Fielding Smith

1:

“Redemption from the original sin is without faith or works; redemption from our own sins is given through faith and works. Both are the gifts of free grace; but while one is a gift forced upon us unconditionally, the other is a gift merely offered to us conditionally. The redemption of the one is compulsory; the reception of the other is voluntary. Man cannot, by any possible act, prevent his redemption from the fall; but he can utterly refuse and prevent his redemption from the penalty of his own sins.”¹

2:

“Salvation is the gift of God, according to the scriptures, to all men who do not sin against the light and become sons of perdition. Salvation is of varying stages or degrees. Every man is to be judged according to his works, and for this reason various degrees or kingdoms have been established.” ²

1. Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1956], 2: 10.
2. Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1956], 2: 13.