The Visiting Teaching Message this month is titled “Of One Heart”.
The message begins with M. Russell Ballard stating;
“At the heart of the English word atonement is the word one. If all mankind understood this, there would never be anyone with whom we would not be concerned, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or social or economic standing. We would strive to emulate the Savior and would never be unkind, indifferent, disrespectful, or insensitive to others.”
While I agree that it’s important for Christians to have the desire the to help and encourage others, I question why he chose to use the word ‘atonement’ as a catalyst for his remarks.
Atonement for Christians means something completely different to the Mormons.
Their 3rd Article of Faith states:
‘We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.’ [emphasis mine]
In other words, only those who have made a commitment to the gospel of Mormonism can, possibly be saved. While in Christianity the message of the cross, which represents the atonement, welcomes everyone to come and be saved. In the true gospel of Jesus Christ there is no ‘may be saved’, there’s only will be saved.
Despite their effort to put forth an image of unity, in reality the Mormon Church only desires a community of exclusivity. Those who prefer to put their trust and faith in Jesus, and Jesus alone, can never be part of their vision of ‘being of one heart’.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 ‘For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.’
In Christ,
References:
No hope in Mormonism as one must constantly work obedience to their laws. All the while doing these things, one never is sure if they’ve done enough; never sure if they are saved.
But look at this Christian Hymn- the focus is not on us, not on what we do-Only on what Jesus did once and for all! Look at the HOPE here:
My Hope Is Built
1. My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.
3. His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.
Words : Edward Mote, circa 1834.
This was written in the beginning of the Mormon church. And this proves Christ’s church was ALIVE and well. Beautiful hymn by the way.
I am a Mormon and the atonement from what I have learned means that we will have the opportunity to be resurrected and have our physical bodies forever. That is a wonderful gift that the atonement provides for everyone…wicked or not. It also provides that all can have the opportunity to repent and be cleansed of our sins. However, the Lord has given us free agency so it is up to us. By his law no unclean thing will be able to enter in his presence. He wants us all there with him, but unfortunately some of us will chose differently. There will be different degrees of glory according to our works on this earth. It’s not just heaven or hell. The Lord loves us and will provide a place where we are most comfortable according to our works in this life. If I am a person who is not living the commandments I am not going to feel comfortable living with a God who abides by them! As mortals (Mormons included) we are all unclean and need his atonement and mercy to meet us as we strive to do our best and repent for our shortcomings. We are here to be tested. God is not going to push his way into our lives. We are responsible for inviting him in. We do that by prayer, living the commandments that he has brought to us through prophets both ancient and currently living and by reading and following the scriptures. The Bible and Book of Mormon. What a blessing these scriptures are to me. It’s not always easy, but I can testify that it has brought amazing blessings into my life! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has brought me so much peace and joy. I know my Savior loves me and wants what’s best for me. He wants me to return to him. Thank you for your time.
Thanks Anonymous for stopping by our site. I want to address a few things you said here.
“There will be different degrees of glory according to our works on this earth.”
“The Lord loves us and will provide a place where we are most comfortable according to our works in this life. ”
“We are responsible for inviting him in.”
There’s just one thing I want to know, where in the bible did God say these things?
There are only to destinations for our us when we die, heaven or hell. There is no middle ground. No place for those who sat on the fence their whole lives and never choose to follow Jesus, but still did “good works”.
God’s going to “provide a place for us where we feel most comfortable according to our works in this life”. Really? How does that work exactly? In what environment is the pedophile going to feel most comfortable? How about the adulterer, or the one who practices evil?
You’re assuming that these people are going to feel remorse for what they’ve done, and be willing live lower kingdom of the heaven. It’s going to be the exact opposite. People are going to be cursing God for sending them to hell.
“And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 13:50
You don’t get to be in a happy, comfortable place when you die after you’ve rejected Jesus Christ.
We don’t invite Jesus into our lives, He calls to us and it’s our choice to listen, or reject Him.
2 Timothy 1:19 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
I just want to address one last thing you said –
“If I am a person who is not living the commandments I am not going to feel comfortable living with a God who abides by them!”
So how do you know when you’ve done enough to live those commandments? If what you said is true, none of us are going to “feel comfortable” living in God’s presence.
As Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
For me it’s Jesus Christ who has brought me peace and joy, not any religion. I pray you will discover the same. – In Christ, Melissa Grimes
I’m not sure why you even bother trying to dissect something that you whole-heartedly don’t agree with or believe in. Surely you’ve heard of the Book of Mormon and know that Latter-Day Saints (not Mormons) believe in it so asking someone to prove something to you using the bible is just annoying. Have you actually tried to just read it? With an open mind? Those of the LDS faith don’t go about making websites trying to tear other religions down so why do we find so many people going out of their way to do that to us? Whether you believe what we believe or not, the vast majority of LDS members are good, generous, and charitable people who do good works throughout the world. Surely in the bible you were taught to love one another? Why is it your intent to read through our publications that are uplifting and turn it into something bad? Maybe you need to work on practicing what you preach. Also, it doesn’t even make any sense that you can just come to Earth and accept Christ as your Savior and do BAD things, break COMMANDMENTS, and expect to just be “saved” because Christ died for our sins. That’s only possible through sincere repentance which in turn is only possible through the Atonement of Christ. You don’t just get baptized and then live a life not worthy of God and think you will get to spend eternity in his presence. If that’s what you believe, I feel sorry for you. It literally doesn’t even make sense.
I’m not sure why you even bother trying to dissect something that you whole-heartedly don’t agree with or believe in. Surely you’ve heard of the Book of Mormon and know that Latter-Day Saints (not Mormons) believe in it so asking someone to prove something to you using the bible is just annoying. Have you actually tried to just read it? With an open mind? Those of the LDS faith don’t go about making websites trying to tear other religions down so why do we find so many people going out of their way to do that to us? Whether you believe what we believe or not, the vast majority of LDS members are good, generous, and charitable people who do good works throughout the world. Surely in the bible you were taught to love one another? Why is it your intent to read through our publications that are uplifting and turn it into something bad? Maybe you need to work on practicing what you preach. Also, it doesn’t even make any sense that you can just come to Earth and accept Christ as your Savior and do BAD things, break COMMANDMENTS, and expect to just be “saved” because Christ died for our sins. That’s only possible through sincere repentance which in turn is only possible through the Atonement of Christ. You don’t just get baptized and then live a life not worthy of God and think you will get to spend eternity in his presence. If that’s what you believe, I feel sorry for you. It literally doesn’t even make sense.
Christina,
Based on your comments you clearly have a misunderstanding of how God works in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savoir of their lives.
The moment we are saved (recognized we have sinned and broken God’s law, need salvation, repent, asked for forgiveness) the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and lives. We’re given a new heart! (Ezekiel 36:26)
This changes everything for us, because in essence our old self has died and we have become a new creation, a new person. (2 Cor 5:17) This doesn’t mean that we stop sinning, what it does mean, is that we are no longer a slave to our sins/flesh.The Holy Spirit is going to be there as a guide for us, he’s going to be there to convict us of our sin, and lead us away for further error.
This ministry is here because we do love Mormons. We want you to understand the truth between the false teaching of Mormonism, and God’s truth. In the end it’s your choice, you can think about what we’ve said and do the research on your own, or ignore what we’ve said and continue believing the false, heretical teachings you’ve been told since joining Mormonism.
I’m sure you know that there are a lot of so called “good people” out there who do a lot of “good things”, however that doesn’t mean they know Jesus. My prayer for you is that one day you’ll accept the truth about Mormonism, and know the real Jesus Christ. – Melissa Grimes
Hi. I only have a few minutes. But in answer to your question for biblical prooff about the three degrees of glory please turn to: 2 Cor 12:2 and 1Cor 15:40-42
We love you Mellissa…We are all His children….keep an open heart!