12) Is repentance necessary for those keeping the Ten Commandments and worthy of a temple recommend? If we are in good standing with the church does that mean we are exempt from repentance and can relax?

Prophetic Statements Spencer W. Kimball Another misconception some Latter-day Saints have is that repentance is only for the person who does not belong to the Church of Jesus Christ. This notion ignores not only gospel doctrine and common sense, but also specific revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith in which the Lord took more than […]

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02) SHORTCUTS: Is there a shortcut to perfection? Is the purpose of the atonement to help those who do not keep the commandments still be exalted in the Celestial Kingdom?

Commentary We must all work out our own salvation through God’s grace. Through the Atonement and Holy Ghost we can be changed to become perfect. Prophetic Statements Joseph Smith Man Must Be Born Again – Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from […]

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04) WORTHINESS: Can we be a good person without Christ and be worthy of the Terrestrial Kingdom? Can one be hostile to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a good person? Can a person qualify for the Terrestrial Kingdom on his own merits?

Questions Answered: Can we receive, despite our unworthiness, what we desire? Can we be a good person without Christ and be worthy of the Terrestrial Kingdom? Can one be hostile to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a good person? Can a person qualify for the Terrestrial Kingdom on his own merits? Commentary […]

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09) WORKS: Is it essential to believe in justification by faith (that we are saved without works, without keeping all of the commandments, and jointly with Christ) to be saved?

Prophetic Statements Joseph Fielding Smith “This mortal life is granted us that we may be schooled properly and trained through the plan of salvation to be worthy to become in very deed sons and daughters of God. Our Eternal Father would have every soul saved if that were feasible. Salvation, however, is based on merit […]

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10) PERFECT IN CHRIST: Does the Savior agree to cover our sins while we are progressing toward perfection. Does being perfect in Christ or being one in Christ mean solely that we join with Him in covenant?

Questions Answered: Does the Savior agree to cover our sins while we are progressing toward perfection. During this progression are we “perfect in Christ”? Does being perfect in Christ or being one in Christ mean solely that we join with Him in covenant? Prophetic Statements Joseph Smith #1: “As all the visible creation is an […]

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14) JUSTIFICATION: What is the role of the Holy Ghost in justification?

Prophetic Statements Joseph Smith “The nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin;” [1] Scripture D&C 132:7 Moses 6:60 Supporting Statements “What then is the law of justification? It is simply this: “All covenants, […]

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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 […]

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11) UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: Is “unconditional love” a scriptural doctrine? Where did the concept of “unconditional love” come from?

Commentary The phrase “unconditional love” has become so common in our vocabulary and even in gospel discussions that many are shocked to discover the concept completely foreign and devoid from scriptural support. Elder Russel M. Nelson confronted this gospel rumor in an Ensign article entitled, “Divine Love.” In understanding this issue using extreme examples can […]

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07) LAW OF MOSES: Is the Law of Moses based on strict obedience whereas the Law of Mercy or of Christ is not? Was the Mosaic Law given by Jesus Christ?

Questions Answered: Was the covenant of Moses based on the law of justice as its basis for accomplishing justification (justification by law), while the gospel covenant uses the law of mercy for justification (justification by faith)? Does Justification by law or by works mean that the person must live and keep all of the commandments […]

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13) SANCTIFICATION: Can the Spirit burn impurities from our nature as by fire? What is the role of the Holy Ghost in the process of sanctification?

Prophetic Statements Joseph Fielding Smith “The Spirit of God speaking to the spirit of man has power to impart truth with greater effect and understanding than the truth can be imparted by personal contact even with heavenly beings. Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body […]

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06) HOLY GHOST AS EARNEST MONEY: Is the gift of the Holy Ghost given to us as “earnest money” (2 Cor. 5:5) a sort of guarantee and down payment on the wonderful blessings we will inherit?

Prophetic Statements Spencer W. Kimball “The gift of the Holy Ghost grows with worthiness. If you arebaptized when you are eight years old, of course you are a child, andthere is much you would not be expected to know. But the Holy Ghostcomes to you as you grow and learn and make yourselves worthy. It […]

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01) TEAM WITH CHRIST: Can Jesus Christ share His perfection with us to satisfy the demands of Justice? Are innocence and worthiness required as a team with Christ rather than individually?

Questions Answered: Can Jesus Christ share His perfection with us to satisfy the demands of Justice? Can individuals be saved in there sins by grace somehow magically joining with Christ who is infinitely righteous? Are innocence and worthiness required as a team with Christ rather than individually? Commentary Because of Christ’s infinity and unlimited nature, […]

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05) COVENANT: After some special experience with Christ can we be considered perfect in our sins? If we have made a covenant with Christ will we be judged jointly with Christ rather than individually? What does the phrase “just men made perfect” mean?

Questions Answered: The moment we make the Gospel covenant do we become perfect in Christ? Can the Lord, through the atonement, make us one with Him anytime immediately if we believe enough that he can? After some special experience with Christ can we be considered perfect in our sins? If we have made a covenant […]

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