Journal of Discourses 12:173; “We declare it to all the inhabitants of the earth from the valleys in the tops of these mountains that we are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—not a church but the church—and we have the doctrine of life and salvation for all the honest-in-heart in all the world. Who else has got it? Is it to be found in the creeds of Christendom? It is not.” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, March 29, 1868
1 John 4:3 says; “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
And Romans 10:9 says; “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.”
Dr. Ron Carlson used to say that the heart of Christianity could be found in those two verses so I present them here as examples that Christianity’s creeds are certainly intact and well accepted by all in the body of Christ.
Ironically enough, those that don’t accept these are groups of pseudo-Christians like JW’s and Mormons. And while Mr. Young likes to claim all those who are honest in heart accept true Christianity, his outright disobedience to the laws of the US Government while practicing polygamy flies in the face of honesty.
Most importantly the body of Christ leans upon the Lord’s promise the gates of hell won’t prevail against His church – Matthew 16:18. Every time you look in the mirror as a believer you can know He’s done that and every time you see another Christian you know Jesus keeps His word.
How can the Mormon Church be a Christian church when they don’t believe in Jesus’ promises?
How can the Mormon Church be a Christian church if they don’t believe Jesus is God incarnate?
How can the Mormon Church be a Christian church if they believe Jesus was created through a sexual union between God and Mary?
The ‘doctrine of life and salvation’ is not found in the works-based “self salvation” and exaltation in the Mormon church. The only way to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” is to put your faith in the biblical Christ. The Bible is quite clear that “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
Amen Derry! That is the best explanation on how to be perfect that I’ve heard in a long time.
Jesus is SO good to us and thru Him we have salvation and are complete Ephesians 2:10.
Michelle