7. The Eternal Question

The Mormon concept of salvation is faith plus baptism, plus works,

"Full salvation is attained by virtue of knowledge, truth, righteousness, and all true principles. Many conditions must exist in order to make such salvation available to men. Without the atonement, the gospel, the priesthood, and the sealing power, there would be no salvation. Without continuous revelation, the ministering of angels, the working of miracles, the prevalence of gifts of the spirit, there would be no salvation...There is no salvation outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Bruce McConkie. Mormon Doctrine 669-70.

According to Mormon Theology, who holds the keys to heaven?

Joseph Smith does,

"-namely that not man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial-kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are."

Journal of Discourses, p. 289.

7A. Does Joseph Smith have the keys to life?

No, Jesus determines who goes into heaven for only He is HOLY and TRUE.

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth."
Revelation 3:7

7B. Do we need to work for our salvation?

No,

"To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
Romans 4:5

7C. Mormons emphasize many

Jesus answered:

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
John 6:28, 29

7D. Who should the sincere Mormon turn to when he realizes he's been following a false prophet?

Jesus.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 14:6

7E. Who has provided for our salvation?

Jesus

"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

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2:8, 9

"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
Acts 16:30, 31

7F. What are the steps to salvation?

Acknowledge: We must all acknowledge in the light of God's word that we are sinners.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. "
Luke 18:13

7G. What does it mean to repent?

To turn away from, to change. We must see the awfullness of sin and then turn from it.

7H. Does the Lord require us to admit our guilt of sin?

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
I John 1:8-10

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Isaiah 55:7

7I. What must we believe in order to be saved?

"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

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Romans 10:9, 10

7J. Have you asked God to forgive you for following a false prophet?

Do you have a desire in your heart to become a child of God and serve the Lord from now on?

7K. If you have answered yes to the above question, you are ready to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."
John 1:12

Please pray the following prayer:

I am convinced by God's word that I am a lost sinner; I believe that Jesus Christ died for sinners and shed His blood to put away my sins.

I now receive Him as my personal Lord and Savior and will, by His help, confess Him before men.

7L. If you prayed this prayer, the Bible teaches:

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:13

7M. Did you sincerely, ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is he now? What has he given you?

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2:8, 9

7N. If you believed, when you said this prayer, you now have eternal life.

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
I John 5:12, 13

7O. We now have a special gift from the Lord, the Holy Spirit, who promises to teach us all things.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:26, 27