Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Salvation
These principles were taught to Adam after he was driven from the
Garden of Eden, who repented and was baptized in water for the
remission of his sins, and received the Holy Ghost. And Eve, when
she heard the gospel plan, rejoiced, saying: "Were it not for our
transgression, we never should have had seed, and never should have
known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal
life which God giveth unto all the obedient. And Adam and Eve blessed
the name of God, and they made all things known to their sons and
daughters."[H]
[Footnote H: Book of Moses 5:11-12.]
Thus the principles of the gospel were taught from the beginning among
the children of Adam. Some believed and accepted them, many others
rejected them, bringing down upon their heads the wrath of God, for his
anger was kindled against them because of their rebellion. In course of
time, when the inhabitants of the earth were sufficiently corrupt, he
caused the floods to come upon them, sweeping them off the earth. Noah,
who was a preacher of righteousness, continued to preach these saving
principles. The gospel was also taught to Abraham, and has always been
among men when they were prepared to receive it.
Latter-day Saints have been severely criticised by many professing
Christians for believing it necessary to comply with these first
principles of the gospel. We are told that such views make us narrow
and illiberal, for we reject and damn all who do not accept "Mormonism"
and the ministration of our elders, while they on the other hand, give
a broader interpretation of the scriptures, holding it but necessary to
believe in Christ--to confess him with the mouth and to believe in the
heart that Christ was raised from the dead.
Or, as it is expressed,
Nothing, either great or small,
Remains for me to do;
Nothing--Jesus paid it all,
All the debt I owe.
Nevertheless, there is but one plan of salvation, and one door into the
sheepfold, "He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but
climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."[I]
[Footnote I: John 10:1.]
We have not made the way narrow nor the gate strait, that few there be
that find it! Nor was ours the edict, "Not every one that saith Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the
will of the father."[J]
[Footnote J: Matt. 7th chapter.]
The fact that certain laws must be observed, and ordinances complied
with, is not the ruling of the Latter-day Saints, but the divine
mandate of the Author of our salvation, who has said he will judge all
men according to their works and opportunities. We are merely complying
with the teachings of the Master which we have received, and which are
requisite to salvation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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