The Visiting Teaching message for the month of August gives a brief description of the Mormons view of the role Jesus as Messiah. Elder Jeffery R. Holland and Dieter F. Uchtdorf are both quoted saying that Jesus “is our salvation”, and that “there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man (or woman) can be saved.” Yet both of these men, who are well known leaders of the church will also say that the temple works also play a part in one’s salvation.
So if Jesus is our salvation and it’s only through Him we can live in the presence of God why are Mormons spending so much of their time doing family history work and baptizing the dead into their religion?
In the Gospel Principles manual chapter 40 at the top of the page we read:
The Atonement of Jesus Christ assures each of us that we will be resurrected and live forever. But if we are to live forever with our families in Heavenly Father’s presence, we must do all that the Savior commands us to do. This includes being baptized and confirmed and receiving the ordinances of the temple.
It seems as though they want to have it both ways doesn’t it? On one hand they want Jesus to be their all in all, but they still want to have a personal hand in the salvation of themselves and deceased by participating in temple rituals.
Earlier this month my dad passed away. I know I will see him again because of his profession of faith in Jesus Christ. I can hold on to that knowledge that because of Jesus Christ I will be reunited with all my loved ones again not because I did their temple work but because of the work He did on the cross.
I’m so thankful that I no longer live with the urgent need to do works of salvation by proxy for my dead loved ones. Jesus has lifted that burden off my shoulders, and for that I will be eternally grateful. 🙂
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes (melissa@lifeafer.org)References:
August Visiting Teaching Message –
Gospel Principles Chapter 40 –
Melissa,
I’m sorry to read of your Father’s passing but like you, take comfort in knowing you’ll see him again in heaven. I lost my father July 21, 2007 . He also was baptized into Jesus and is in heaven. I take comfort and joy in this hymn and visualize singing praises forever to the Lamb.
Rev 7:14
Behold a Host Arrayed in White
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/b/e/h/beholdah.htm
May the Peace of Jesus that passes all understanding by with you always.
Sue+
Thank you Sue. I look forward to that day when we’re standing there with our loved ones in the presence of God. What a glorious day that will be! 🙂
KNOWING ONLY THE BAPTISMS OF DENOMINATIONS! BY STEVE FINNELL
If men have been baptized knowing only the baptisms of denominations, are their baptisms valid. Do men, who are baptized for the wrong reason or baptize using the incorrect method, need to be baptized with Christian baptism in order for their sins to be forgiven, in order to be baptized into Christ, or in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?
Apollos, a man who knew the Scriptures very well was teaching incorrect doctrine about New Covenant baptism. He needed to be taught the truth. (Acts 18:24-26…25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.)
John’s baptism was invalid after the Day of Pentecost.
Apollos had been preaching in Ephesus. The apostle Paul evidently came in contact with some of the disciples that were incorrectly taught by Apollos. (Acts 19:1-5 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said,”Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who to come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The Ephesian disciples were re-baptized.
John’s baptism was not a valid baptism after the Day of Pentecost. Those who were baptized with John’s baptism after the day of Pentecost had to be re-baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and so that they might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (that is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit).
KNOWING ONLY THE BAPTISMS OF DENOMINATIONS!
If men today are baptized knowing only the baptisms of denominations should they be re-baptized? If the disciples in Ephesus needed to be re-baptized, why then, would not those, today, who have been baptized for the wrong reason or by the incorrect method not need to be baptized in accordance with the teaching of Jesus and that commanded by the apostles?
1. Baptized as simple act of obedience is for the wrong reason.
2. Baptized as testimony of faith is for the wrong reason.
3. Being baptized, believing your sins have already been forgiven is for the wrong reason.
4. Being baptized so you can become a member of a denominational church is for the wrong reason.
5. Being baptized so original sin can be forgiven is for the wrong reason.
6. Being sprinkled or having water poured on you is the wrong method.
7. Baptizing infants is unnecessary. It is for the wrong reason.Sprinkling is also the wrong method.
8. Denying that baptism is essential for the forgiveness of sins is intellectually rejecting baptism. Denying the purpose of baptism, is baptism for the wrong reason.
Jesus said he who is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16:16)
The apostle Peter said be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.(Acts 2:38)
The apostle Paul said we are baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:27)
Peter said baptism saves us. (1 Peter 3:21)
Apollos believed the truth when taught by Aquila and Priscilla.
The Ephesus disciples believed the truth when taught by the apostle Paul.
Why do denominations not believe the truth when taught by Jesus and the apostles?
BAPTISMS THAT ARE CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE ARE NOT VALID BAPTISMS.
(Scripture from: NKJV)
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