Mormon Church

Prior to sending us here to earth, God created a plan to give us the best possible chance of returning to His presence. He knew that Adam and Eve, the first people to live on earth, would fall. While we are not punished for their choices, we do experience the consequences of the choice, which is a mortal body that is subject to death.

Our mortal bodies are subject to temptation. Satan wants us to be as miserable as he is, and he and his followers work very hard to keep us from God. Because God is just, we would have had to face the consequences of the fall, and would be unable to rise from the dead. We do not have the power to save ourselves from that fall from grace that occurred in the beginning of the earth.

However, Jesus Christ offered Himself as a Savior. He offered to come to earth and live a sinless life, which meant He was exempt from the requirements of justice. As His life came to a close, He would atone for each of our sins individually, which gave us the promise of life everlasting. Life everlasting means we will rise from the dead and live forever. Each person receives this gift regardless of their choices here on earth. It’s an unconditional gift. This gift satisfies the demands of justice and the power to offer it came from God the Father.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ( John 3:16 KJV of the Bible)

Jesus performed this atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane. As we read the Biblical account of this eternally significant moment, we realize just how great the Savior’s gift to us really was. He suffered unimaginable pain for each one of us individually. It was by far the greatest gift anyone has ever given us and He gave it willingly because He loves us. We are worth that much to Him. Then He allowed Himself to be killed, again suffering on our behalf, because He had to die in order to be resurrected. He chose to allow this death. His life couldn’t be taken from Him. And finally, He was resurrected from the dead.

Only through Jesus Christ could the blessings of life everlasting, and the greater gift of eternal life come to pass. No one else could have given this gift to us and we couldn’t give it to ourselves.

“And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.” (Mosiah 3:17, Book of Mormon)

It is a misconception that Mormon beliefs do not include a belief in grace. As you can see, Mormons believe that all will be resurrected and live forever as a result of the atonement. This is grace. However, the Bible makes it very clear that merely living on earth is not enough. We must also accept God as our Father, take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer, and keep the commandments of God.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, KJV of the Bible)

Every good parent knows children must be taught to take responsibility for their own well-being, as far as they’re able. God is our parent, and He expects us to do our part toward our own eternal well-being.