Living the Gospel False Teaching From The Church of Latter Day Saints

My comments in blue. Scriptures in bold. A website to avoid is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as it teaches a false gospel of works salvation. It doesn’t even teach the Gospel of Christ, but states instead that you have to live the gospel.  It states:

You can live the gospel of Jesus Christ by:

1. Developing faith in Jesus Christ – see below
2. Repenting – see below
3. Being baptised and receiving the Holy Ghost – see below
4. Enduring to the end – see below

Jesus Christ fulfilled the law. His sacrifice at Calvary paid the sin for all of mankind and we are forgiven for our sins when we believe on Jesus Christ. We are not told to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, but to believe on Him. If any of us could earn salvation by our works, why would Jesus have had to die?

They continue on

To receive this peace and strength, you must learn and follow the principles and ordinances of the gospel. A principle is a truth that can be applied in life; an ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood and is often a means of entering into a covenant with our Heavenly Father.

They haven’t even given the simple gospel of Jesus Christ, in that he died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and three days later resurrected from the dead. By His Work are we saved, to those who believe on Him. The gospel they are applying is a works based gospel and a works based salvation that has no saving power.  

The first principles of the gospel are faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. The first ordinances of the gospel are baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost.

Repentance is a simple change of mind from trusting in our own works for salvation, and believing on Jesus Christ and the work that He has done for us, thus we attain eternal life through Him. Repentance and belief go together. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, and the Holy Ghost is given the moment that we believe on Jesus Christ as Saviour.

After you learn and follow the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, you seek to follow Christ’s example throughout the remainder of your life. This continued faithfulness is called “enduring to the end.”

As a believer in Christ, the scriptures tell us that it is profitable for us to maintain good works, as this will result in treasures in heaven, but some people are at different levels than other people.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Titus 3:8 (KJV)

We shouldn’t force people to become disciples, as this can place an enormous burden on someone’s shoulders, when the Holy Spirit is gentle and patient with us. Anyone who says that they have turned from all sin is a liar, as Romans 7 details Paul describing the difficulties between flesh and spirit. Anyone who places a burden on another to ‘endure to the end’ as the gospel of Jesus Christ is putting another believer into bondage and not edifying and building up, as we should all do for one another as believers. Sanctification is a lifetime process.

1. Developing Faith in Jesus Christ

Faith is a strong belief that motivates a person to act. Faith that leads to forgiveness of sins is centered in Jesus Christ, whose Atonement makes forgiveness possible. Faith in Jesus Christ is more than a passive belief in Him. It means believing that He is the Son of God and that He suffered for your sins, afflictions, and infirmities. It means acting on that belief. Faith in Jesus Christ leads you to love Him, trust Him, and obey His commandments.

All we are told to do for salvation, to be saved, is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:29-31 (KJV)

Jesus did all of the work for humanity. He died for all of the sins of humanity. We are to trust on the work that He has done for us, and His righteousness is imputed onto our record when we believe on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God sees that we trust in Jesus and our sins are forgiven, because God accepted Jesus’ blood sacrifice for humanity’s sin.

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV)

2. Repentance

Faith in Jesus Christ leads you to want to change your life for the better. As you study the gospel, you recognize that you have sinned, or acted against the will and teachings of God. Through repentance, you change those thoughts, desires, habits, and actions that are not in harmony with God’s teachings. He promises that when you repent, He will forgive your sins. When you repent you:

Incorrect. We hear the gospel and believe (we have the free will to believe or not believe). We cannot possibly change our life before believing on Christ because we do not have the Holy Spirit yet. The Gospel is simple. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected three days later. His blood atoned for our sins and we are made righteous with God when we trust on Jesus Christ. Again, the works-based salvationalists the LDS.org have the wrong definition of repentance, which today’s bible has corrupted into a work. Even God repents. However, modern versions like the New International Version have amended the scriptures when God repented.

The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. Genesis 6:6 (NIV)

And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Genesis 6:6 (KJV)

There are many more examples of God repenting in the KJV of the Holy Bible. Modern versions omit or amend the word.

Recognize that you have sinned and feel sincere sorrow for what you have done.

Incorrect. They are adding works. Repentance is to change our mind and believe on Christ and what He has done for us. We realise we need a saviour in Christ because our works cannot possibly attain us eternal life with a Holy God. 

Stop doing what is wrong, and strive never to do it again.

Again, this is a work that is being added to the gospel. We cannot stop doing what is wrong because we will always have our flesh nature. Have these people stopped doing what is wrong? Do these people never have a wrong or judgemental thought? We must be careful about judging others. 

Confess your sins to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. Doing so relieves a heavy burden. If you have sinned against another person, you also ask that person for forgiveness.

Our confession of sins to God results in fellowship with Him. God freely forgives us because of what Christ has done for us. We should try to forgive other, including ourselves, as it is helps us in our spiritual walk with God. 

Make restitution. You do all you can to correct the problems your actions may have caused.

We all make mistakes, as we are merely human. If we have the conviction to repair our relationships with others, we should be encouraged to be peacemakers.  

Keep the commandments. Obeying God’s commandment brings the power of the gospel into your life. The gospel will give you strength to abandon your sins. Keeping the commandments includes giving service, forgiving others, and attending Church meetings.

Doing good works unto the Lord after becoming saved will result in fellowship with God, and eternal rewards in Heaven, but stating that a believer should keep the commandments may be adding an unnecessary burden. We are all at different levels in the Christian faith. Some may choose to be a disciple, while others may just prefer to believe without evidence of works to show fellow humans. Only God knowers. It is not up to us to judge who is a believer or not, but to encourage and edify others. We will always struggle with sin because we still have our fleshly bodies, to state otherwise is to deny that sin is within and instead trust on self-righteous works instead of what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.

Acknowledge the Savior. The most important part of repentance is the realization that forgiveness comes because of Jesus Christ. Sometimes you may have felt that God will not forgive serious sins. But the Savior suffered for our sins so they can be put behind us, even the serious ones. The result of true repentance is forgiveness, peace, comfort, and joy.

Sin is sin, but what will God not forgive, except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, when the pharisees said that Jesus cast out spirits by Beelzebub, rather than God’s Holy Spirit. 

22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house 28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. Mark 3:22-30 (KJV)

Repentance does not always mean making big changes. Often it simply requires an increased commitment to live according to God’s will. True repentance does not always happen quickly; be patient with yourself as you strive to do what is right and correct mistakes you make. As you repent, you will experience a change of heart. You will no longer desire to sin. You will come to know that you are a child of God and that you need not continue making the same mistakes over and over. Your desire to follow God will grow stronger and deeper.

Repentance is not a change of heart, but a change of mind. Trusting no longer in our own self-righteous works and putting our faith in what Jesus has done for us. He has done it all. There is nothing we can do to attain salvation. Salvation is all through Jesus Christ. Grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone. 

3. Baptism and the Holy Ghost

Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare you for baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ taught that everyone must be baptized of water and of the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. Through baptism by one who holds priesthood authority and through receiving the Holy Ghost, you will be spiritually reborn.

Repentance and belief go hand in hand. Repentance does not come after faith in Jesus Christ, because the change of mind (repentance) has already occurred. When you believe on Christ for Salvation, you receive the Holy Ghost. You don’t need to be water baptised by a human being to receive this gift. Jesus Christ was talking about the gift of the Holy Spirit being given the believer, which does not need to be gained through any human works. All of the above is a lie. You are spiritually reborn when you believe on what Jesus has done for you. The gospel is that he died for your sins, was buried, and resurrected three days later. If you believe in the work that Jesus Christ has done for you, you are saved. Simple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints complicate salvation by adding unnecessary works that cannot save. 

Why Do I Need to Be Baptized?

Jesus Christ set the example for us by being baptized to “fulfil all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). When you are baptized, you receive a remission of your sins (see Acts 2:38). You make a covenant, or promise, with God: you promise to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, to follow Him, and to keep His commandments. If you do your part, your Heavenly Father promises to forgive your sins. When you are baptized by proper authority, your sins are washed away.

Baptism involves a brief immersion in water. This is how Jesus Christ was baptized. Baptism by immersion is a sacred symbol of the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ; it represents the end of your old life and the beginning of a new life as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Why Do I Need to Receive the Holy Ghost?

While baptism washes you of your sins, the Holy Ghost sanctifies, or purifies, you. If you remain faithful to your baptismal covenants, you can have the Holy Ghost with you always. All good people can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, but only those who are baptized and who receive the Holy Ghost have the right to His constant companionship throughout life.

The Holy Ghost helps you recognize and understand truth. He provides spiritual strength and inspiration. He comforts you in difficult times and guides you in making decisions. You can feel God’s love and influence in your daily life through the Holy Ghost.

Your ability to enjoy this divine gift depends on your obedience to God’s commandments. The Holy Ghost cannot remain with those who do not live according to God’s teachings. They lose the privilege of His guidance and inspiration. Always strive to be worthy of the companionship and direction of the Holy Ghost.

You receive the Holy Ghost after baptism. In an ordinance called confirmation, one or more authorized priesthood holders lay their hands on your head. They confirm you a member of the Church and bless you to receive the Holy Ghost. This ordinance normally takes place in a church service soon after baptism. When you are baptized and confirmed, you become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints.

The Sacrament

After you are baptized, you can renew your baptismal covenants each week by partaking of the sacrament. During the sacrament service, bread and water are blessed and passed to the congregation as a reminder of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The bread represents His body, and the water represents His blood. As you renew your baptismal covenants, you are promised that you will have the Spirit, or the Holy Ghost, with you always.