Keeping the commandments and LDS theology

dberrie2020

Super Member
The LDS connect keeping the commandments with entering into life:

Matthew 19:16-19---King James Version
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
 

CrowCross

Super Member
Is keeping the commandments a work we must do?
It's interesting that dberrye2020 didn't present the entire thought Jesus was convening.

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”....THIS IS THE POINT WHERE DBERRIE2020 STOPPED. THE ACCOUNT CONTINUED BUT DBERRIE2020 DIDN'T PRESENT IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FIT HIS NARRATIVE... 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

The mormons might want to connect keeping the commandments with entering into life....but don't want to connect selling all they have and giving it to the poor.
 

Bonnie

Super Member
Also, Jesus knows we cannot keep the commandments on our own. He was showing the young man that he had not kept the commandments as well as he thought. Choosing his wealth over following Jesus PROVED that he had NOT kept them at all, breaking the first and greatest commandment.

If we were capable of keeping God's commandments on our own, He would not have needed to suffer and die for us. And James says if we keep all of God's law, but stumble in one point, we are guilty of ALL of it. Putting us back at square one.

Mormons are so conditioned and indoctrinated to believe they must make themselves worthy of full salvation by THEIR own efforts, that they cannot conceive of true salvation being the GIFT OF GOD simply because He loves us. It is anathema to them. I feel sorry for them, really...
 

Aaron32

Well-known member
The LDS connect keeping the commandments with entering into life:

Matthew 19:16-19---King James Version
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
This is true. We are saved by grace, but judged by our works. I think it’s also important to add that it’s the grace of God that enables us to serve God righteously.

Moreover, works are evidence of our faith. We keep commandments, because we love him, not to “earn” salvation.
 

Authentic Nouveau

Well-known member
The mormons might want to connect keeping the commandments with entering into life....but don't want to connect selling all they have and giving it to the poor.
Pride. In banking and real estate lending there are far too many mortgage loan application fraud cases in Utah Mormonstan.
They teach if they do good works they will be blessed. so they buy a house they can't afford to show off "Look at me, I am blessed"
Showing off good works.

Utah is the mortgage fraud champion of the United States.
 

Authentic Nouveau

Well-known member
This is true. We are saved by grace, but judged by our works. I think it’s also important to add that it’s the grace of God that enables us to serve God righteously.

Moreover, works are evidence of our faith. We keep commandments, because we love him, not to “earn” salvation.
Nephi's statement “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do
 

Aaron32

Well-known member
Nephi's statement “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do
And what is that thing Nephi is implying we do? Humble yourself and Reconcile yourself to God.

2 Ne 10:24: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

...none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation. (2 Ne 33:9)

“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt 7:13-14)
 

Magdalena

Well-known member
And what is that thing Nephi is implying we do? Humble yourself and Reconcile yourself to God.

2 Ne 10:24: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

...none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation. (2 Ne 33:9)

“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt 7:13-14)
Mormonism added many more works to the requirements than that.
 

Theo1689

Well-known member
Most mormons believe that anything less than the highest degree of the celestial kingdom might as well be hell.

One of my favourite stories is when James White was evangelizing a Mormon (possibly an elder, I can't remember), and the discussion wasn't going well for the Mormon, so he got annoyed and upset and told Dr. White to "go to hell". White responded, "But you don't even believe in hell!"

And since Dr. White is a never-Mo, he wouldn't even end up in "outer darkness", so.... ;)
 

Bonnie

Super Member
Most mormons believe that anything less than the highest degree of the celestial kingdom might as well be hell.
That is true...I think one leader said anything less than exaltation is damnation....But doesn't Jesus live in the Telestial and Terrestrial kingdoms? Not sure about that. But if so, how coukd that be hell and/or damnation?
 

Theo1689

Well-known member
That is true...I think one leader said anything less than exaltation is damnation....But doesn't Jesus live in the Telestial and Terrestrial kingdoms? Not sure about that. But if so, how coukd that be hell and/or damnation?

Well, that makes sense.

Because Mormons don't believe in "damnation" in the sense of "condemnation".
The believe in being "dammed", as in "stopped", as in the "dam" of a river.
So anyone who didn't get to the highest kingdom was "stopped" or "dammed" at some point prior.
 
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