I’m not happy with the way the missionaries are answering an investigators questions about salvation. How would you describe salvation?

Gramps,

Thank you, I have been going to the discussions of a woman my husband and I met at Church. The missionaries introduced her to us because she is Catholic and my husband was Catholic before he joined the church. She is a golden contact and accepts all that she hears. I am not happy with the way the missionaries have answered her questions about Salvation. In Mormon Doctrine there are three different kinds of salvation. In your opinion how would you describe salvation? They have told her that salvation is for everyone, and that is one of the definitions, but it seems more involved than that. I do not want to upset things, but it isn’t clear how they are explaining it. She is very bright, I know she would understand something more involved. Thank you,

Donna Tagliaferri

Dear Donna,

I wouldn’t worry too much about what the missionaries are telling their investigator. It’s not the doctrine that is preached that converts the investigator, but it is the witness of the Holy Spirit that comes to a person when the missionaries testify to the truthfulness of the gospel.

Actually, all but the sons of Perdition are saved in one kingdom or another, but to get into those kinds of depths in gospel details during the missionary discussions usually just adds confusion and may detract from the Spirit. If you add your testimony to that of the missionaries, it will have a powerful effect on the investigator, as they would see you as a lay member and not a member of the clergy.

You might consider the example in the Book of Mormon of Alma explaining the concept of God to King Lamoni-

And Aaron answered him and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God? And the king said: I know that the Amalekites say that there is a God, and I have granted unto them that they should build sanctuaries, that they may assemble themselves together to worship him. And if now thou sayest there is a God, behold I will believe.? (Alma 22:7-10)

And now when Aaron heard this, his heart began to rejoice, and he said: Behold, assuredly as thou livest, O king, there is a God.

And the king said: Is God that Great Spirit that brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem?

And Aaron said unto him: Yea, he is that Great Spirit, and he created all things both in heaven and in earth. Believest thou this

-Gramps