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Question

 

Dear Gramps,

Why does the Mormon Church not accept the Christian concept of Grace? Also, most Christian religions consider John 3:16 to be the most important verse of all time, yet Mormons do not recognize it.

Eric

 

Answer

 

Dear Eric,

The Mormons recognize and believe in every one of the 122 references to grace that are found in the Old Testament and the 37 references found in the New Testament. Now let me share with you a few references to the principal of grace found in Latter-day scriptures that the minister who taught you those falsehoods about Mormon belief does not himself believe.

From the testimony of the three witnesses who were shown by an angel the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated—

And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. OLIVER COWDERY, DAVID WHITMER, MARTIN HARRIS

Here is a small sample from the other 27 references to grace found in the Book of Mormon—

2 Nephi 2:6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

2 Ne 2:8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

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.

From the Doctrine and Covenants here are a couple of the 26 references to grace that this scripture contains—

D&C 17:8 And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day.

D&C 20:30 And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true.

D&C 20:32 But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God.

The Pearl of Great Price is another ancient scripture that was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Although it is a very small volume, yet it contains seven references to the concept of grace. Here is just one of those references—

Moses 7:11 And he gave unto me a commandment that I should baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, which is full of grace and truth, and of the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son.

Now let me share with you one more scripture that confirms that although the grace of God is essential for the salvation of man, yet no man can be saved by the grace of God alone, as some ministers teach; otherwise, salvation would be completely capricious. The prophet Nephi reveals to us the true principle in 2 Nephi 25:23

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

If man does all that he can do to please God and to be saved in His kingdom, yet it not enough. No man can merit the unspeakable blessing of salvation in God’s kingdom no matter how good he is or how much good he does, because no man is perfect. All men commit sin and therefore fall short of the glory of God. But if we do all that we can to merit salvation, then, and only then, it is by the grace of God that we are saved.

 

Gramps

 

 

 

 

 

 

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