Clearing Rocks from the Road to Redemption The above diagram represents ten of the most common obstacles both biblical Christians and Latter-day Saints encounter when attempting to understand, share and defend their respective faiths. Any number of these rocks may come into play during the course of dialog or debate. Note that the path to the cross for Latter-day Saints is on an incline. This is because many LDS will suffer incredible loss (e.g. family, friends, social acceptance/status, financial security, etc.) for exchanging the LDS gospel of works for the biblical gospel of grace. The below diagram represents the ideal sharing scenario all potential rocks have been cleared from the road to redemption. In other words, the only thing standing between Latter-day Saints and being forgiven of ALL their sins (besides the potential losses mentioned above) is pure and simple faith in the FINISHED work of Christ on the cross and acceptance of His absolutely free gift of salvation. 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.1
Rock #8 Power Point LDS Gospel becomes a rock on the road to redemption when LDS remain unaware of the requirement & impossibility of perfect repentance. Eternal life in the presence of God requires that we be perfectly clean and thus forgiven of all our sins on this the LDS Church and biblical revelation agree. The irreconcilable difference between the LDS and biblical gospels, however, is on whose work we ultimately depend to render us perfectly clean: The LDS gospel depends on Christ s work to make forgiveness possible and OUR WORK to make forgiveness actual; the biblical gospel depends on Christ s work to make forgiveness possible and OUR FAITH in His work to make forgiveness actual. The aim of this lesson is to (1) demonstrate how our obedience to ALL of God s commands through perfect repentance is required of the LDS gospel, (2) shed light on the impossibility of being assured of, let alone achieving, perfect repentance, and (3) lay the foundation for the biblical gospel salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in CHRIST S WORK ALONE! 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.2
Why Are There Three LDS Kingdoms/Heavens? Celestial Kingdom Terrestrial Kingdom Works, Worthiness, & Merit Telestial Kingdom 4 Salvation will come to all who enter the terrestrial kingdom. They will receive a higher grade of salvation than will those in the telestial kingdom. Salvation will come also to those who enter the celestial kingdom. That will be a still higher grade of salvation. 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. Joseph Fielding Smith, 10 th LDS Prophet & President Doctrines of Salvation, 1955, 2:12-13 Very gladly would the Lord give to everyone eternal life [in the celestial kingdom], but since that blessing can come only on merit through the faithful performance of duty only those who are worthy shall receive it. Doctrines of Salvation, 1955, 2:5 Those who do more good works will inherit the celestial kingdom; those who do fewer good works will inherit the terrestrial kingdom; and those who do even fewer good works will inherit the telestial kingdom. Those who perform more faithfully merit the celestial kingdom; those who perform less faithfully merit the terrestrial kingdom; and those who perform even less faithfully merit the telestial kingdom. LDS Apostle, Bruce R. McKonkie, explains that all rewards gained in the eternal worlds must be earned (Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 641). 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.3
Why is the Celestial Kingdom the Supreme Reward? C3. Those who inherit the celestial kingdom will dwell in the presence of God and Christ forever (see D&C 76:62). E1. The inhabitants of the terrestrial kingdom will enjoy the presence of the Son but not the fulness [sic] of the Father (D&C 76:77). G5. Those in the telestial kingdom will be servants of God, but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end (D&C 76:112). Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, 2000, p. 90 The plan of salvation was prepared before the foundation of our earth was laid. We were then the spirit children of our Eternal Father. This earth is a probationary state, or a place prepared where we are tested and given the privilege of walking by faith, that we may become worthy to return to our Father to dwell in his presence, and become his eternal sons and daughters. Returning to the Father is our ultimate goal and highest reward. Joseph Fielding Smith, 10 th LDS Prophet & President Answers to Gospel Questions, 1957, 1:29 Eternal life is in the presence of the Father and the Son and is the kind of life which they possess. It is of the celestial kingdom. Doctrines of Salvation, 1955, 2:24 Eternal Life Celestial Kingdom The Father & the Son Terrestrial Kingdom Only the Son visits Telestial Kingdom Neither the Father nor the Son 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.4
How Many Commandments Must We Obey to Be Perfectly Clean Before God & Inherit Eternal Life? Therefore the words of James are true [James 2:10]. Unless a man can abide strictly in complete accord, he cannot enter there [the celestial kingdom], and in the words of James, he is guilty of all. In other words if there is one divine law that he does not keep he is barred from participating in the kingdom, and figuratively guilty of all, since he is denied all. The kingdom of God must exist in absolute unity. Every law must be obeyed, and no member of the Church can have a place there unless he is in full accord. Joseph Fielding Smith, 10 th LDS Prophet & President Answers to Gospel Questions, 1979, 3:26-27 We covenant [when partaking of the Sacrament] that we will keep his [God s] commandments which he has given us, not one commandment, but that we will be willing to live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. [D&C 84:44] Doctrines of Salvation, 1955, 2:345 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 KJV) Jesus Christ 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.5
Why Are Many Banned from the Celestial Kingdom? At that destination [the celestial kingdom] our Father waits hopefully, anxious to greet his returning children. Unfortunately, many will not arrive. The reason is forthrightly stated by Nephi "... There cannot any unclean thing enter into the Kingdom of God..." (1 Ne. 15:34.) And again,... no unclean thing can dwell with God..." (1 Ne. 10:21.) To the prophets the term unclean in this context means what it means to God. To man the word may be relative in meaning one minute speck of dirt does not make a white shirt or dress unclean, for example. But to God who is perfection, cleanliness means moral and personal cleanliness. Less than that is, in one degree or another, uncleanliness and hence cannot dwell with God. Spencer W. Kimball, 12 th LDS Prophet & President The Miracle of Forgiveness, 1969, p. 19 The Unclean May Not Dwell with God We must be perfectly clean to dwell in the celestial kingdom. Even one minute speck of dirt (i.e. one tiny unforgiven sin) renders us unclean. Only Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life on earth. 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.6
What Is the Only Way to Remove the Stain of Sin? Repentance is the way provided for us to become free from our sins and receive forgiveness for them. Gospel Principles, 1995, p. 123 But to God who is perfection, cleanliness means moral and personal cleanliness. Less than that is, in one degree or another, uncleanliness and hence cannot dwell with God. Were it not for the blessed gifts of repentance and forgiveness this would be a hopeless situation for man, since no one except the Master has ever lived sinless on the earth. Spencer W. Kimball, 12 th LDS Prophet & President The Miracle of Forgiveness, 1969, pp. 19-20 Only Jesus Christ lived a perfectly obedient and sinless life on the earth. Unlike Christ we cannot keep all of God s commandments perfectly because we sin. Therefore, the blessed gifts of repentance and forgiveness are the only remedy to remove the stain of our sins. (See also page 7.3 of Rock #7.) The Only Way to Remove the Stain of Sin Repentance 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.7
How Many Sins Must We Repent of to Be Perfectly Clean Before God & Inherit Eternal Life? 19 And no unclean thing can enter into his [the Father s] kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. (3 Nephi 27:19) Joseph Smith, 1 st Prophet & President of the LDS Church Translator of the Book of Mormon We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. LDS Article of Faith 3 Christ s Work makes forgiveness possible. Obedience & the Repentance of All Our Sins! Our Work makes forgiveness actual. Perfectly Clean 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.8
Exactly What Work Is Required of Us to Repent? We Must Recognize Our Sins The first step of repentance is to admit to ourselves that we have sinned. If we do not admit this, we cannot repent. Gospel Principles, 1995, p. 124 Question: How can we know for certain we have recognized every one of our sins if, as the Bible assures us, our sinful hearts are literally bent on deceiving us (Prov. 28:26; Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:22)? We Must Feel Sorrow for Our Sins In addition to recognizing our sins, we must feel sincere sorrow for what we have done. Gospel Principles, 1995, p. 124 Question: How can we know for certain we have actually felt, or even felt enough, sincere sorrow for every one of our sins if, as the Bible assures us, our sinful hearts are literally bent on deceiving us (Prov. 28:26; Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:22)? 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.9
We Must Confess Our Sins We must confess all our sins to the Lord. In addition we must confess serious sins to proper priesthood authority. If we have sinned against another person, we should confess to the person we have injured. Some less serious sins involve no one but ourselves and the Lord. These may be confessed privately to the Lord. Gospel Principles, 1995, pp. 124-125 Question: How can we know for certain we have confessed all our sins if, as the Bible assures us, our sinful hearts are literally bent on deceiving us (Prov. 28:26; Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:22)? We Must Make Restitution This means that as much as possible we must make right any wrong that we have done. As we do these things, God will not mention our sins to us when we are judged (see Ezekiel 33:15-16). Gospel Principles, 1995, p. 125 Question: How can we know for certain we in every instance, and to the degree required, made restitution if, as the Bible assures us, our sinful hearts are literally bent on deceiving us (Prov. 28:26; Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:21-23)? 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.10
We Must Forgive Others The Lord will not forgive us unless our hearts are fully cleansed of all hate, bitterness, and bad feelings against other people. Gospel Principles, 1995, p. 125 Question: How can we know for certain our hearts are fully cleansed of all unforgiveness if, as the Bible assures us, our sinful hearts are literally bent on deceiving us (Prov. 28:26; Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:22)? What Is the Ultimate Proof of Our Repentance? We Must Forsake Our Sins If we have stolen something, we will steal no more. If we have lied we will lie no more. The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins behold, he will confess them and forsake them (D&C 58:43). Gospel Principles, 1995, p. 124 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.11
When we speak of the continual need of repentance, let it not be understood that we refer to a cycle of sinning and repenting and sinning again. That is not complete repentance. We must see the right and follow it recognize the wrong and forsake it with a Godly sorrow if we would obtain the blessing of complete repentance. Without repentance there can be no forgiveness, and without forgiveness all the blessings of eternity hang in jeopardy. Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, 2000, p. 39 There is one crucial test of repentance. This is abandonment of the sin. Providing that a person discontinues his sin with the right motives because of a growing consciousness of the gravity of the sin and a willingness to comply with the laws of the Lord he is genuinely repenting. This criterion has been set by the Lord: "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sinsbehold, he will confess them and forsake them." (D&C 58:43. Italics added.) In other words, it is not real repentance until one has abandoned the error of his way and started on a new path. If sin is abandoned only because we are caught in it and/or of the consequences (i.e. wrong motives ), then our repentance most assuredly counts for nothing. Spencer W. Kimball, 12th LDS Prophet & President The Miracle of Forgiveness, 1965, p. 163 ANY SIN REPENTED OF AND COMMITTED AGAIN AT ANY TIME PROVES THE INITIAL REPENTANCE not complete not real AND FORGIVENESS WAS DENIED! 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.12
How Does False Repentance Compound the Stain of Sin? 7 And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God. (Doctrine & Covenants 82:7) And the Lord in our dispensation said: By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins behold, he will... forsake them. (D&C 58:43.) The discontinuance must be a permanent one. True repentance does not permit repetition. Forgiveness is not assured if one reverts to early sins. The Lord said:... go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return.... (D&C 82:7.) Spencer W. Kimball, 12 th LDS Prophet & President Faith Precedes the Miracle, 1972, p. 181 False Repentance Compounds Our Sins Repent of Sin #1 Repeat Sin #1 former sins return We could repent of a sin convinced we were forgiven only to find out 60 years later that its stain had never been removed when we repeat it! If this were NOT true we would be guilty of only one sin (i.e. the repeated sin). Repeating the sin, however, proves our initial repentance to be false and that we committed the sin twice. Question: What assurance can we really have that any of our sins are actually forgiven, let alone every one of them to render us perfectly clean, considering these 6 requirements of LDS repentance (i.e. OUR WORK )? 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.13
LDS Grace & Correctly Interpreting 2 Nephi 25:23 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. (2 Nephi 25:23) After All We Can Do Incorrect Grace forgives us of commands not kept if we try hard enough to keep them. Obedience Sin Correct Grace enables us to keep all commands if we try hard enough to keep them. S A L V A T I O N As a church, we are in accord with an ancient prophet who said, It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23.) Grace consists of God s gift to his children wherein He gave His Only Begotten Son in order that whosoever would believe in Him and comply with His laws and ordinances would have everlasting life. By His grace and by our faith in His atonement and our repentance of our sins, we receive the strength to do the necessary works that we could not do by our own power. The only remedy for unforgiven sin is repentance and therefore keeping the command that was not kept and resulted in sin. Ezra Taft Benson, 13 th LDS Prophet & President Come Unto Christ, 1983, pp. 7-8 3/09 Share the Son Ministries www.sharetheson.org (208) 589-0363 mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Page 8.14