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Perhaps you can share your view or explain the question DAVEH: I think I did, but you may have missed it. At the risk of irritating Perriwinkle again, let me elaborate about what I wrote below. One of the big problems some (darest I say, Protestants) Christians have with LDS theology is their perception that we believe works are necessary for salvation. I suspect you would find such to be a problem as well...is that correct, JD? We view salvation as a two step process, so to speak. First, Jesus was resurrected in order that we too can experience a resurrection. We believe ALL who are born on earth will be resurrected. Until Jesus overcame that obstacle, that was not the case though. When you died, your spirit separated from your body, and there was simply no way for your spirit to be reunited with that physical body. Through the grace and sacrifice of our Savior, we too can (and with certainty, will) be resurrected, both the good and the bad folks....effectively....all people born into mortality. It mattereth not what one does, without Jesus' resurrection, nobody would be resurrected. There is simply no way we could do so by ourselves, nor do we need to do anything to obtain a resurrected state. Jesus freely gave it to all. While that may not seem like such a big deal to some Christians, to LDS folks it is a huge deal. .......Because, IFF there was no resurrection, the atonement would have not effect. Which leads to the second part of the dual nature of salvation.....the atonement. In order to return to heaven and to dwell in God's presence, we cannot be imperfect. God is perfect, and to be in his presence, we too must become perfect. Effectively, we need to achieve a state of holiness that is not possible for those who are guilty of sin. Since all mortals (excepting Jesus and infants and children or those with mental situations who have not reached a state wherein they can really know the difference between good / evil, right / wrong, etc) are sinners, we find ourselves in a situation that when we die will keep us from returning to heaven. LDS folks consider such a state as being unable to progress towards heaven as being damnation.....which we define as the impedance or stoppage of our eternal progression. (Hope I'm not confusing you with all those LDS defined terms....I just want you to understand that we define things differently than you probably define them.) So...what this boils down to, is that if we are resurrected to a state where we are imperfect, and unable to return to the Father of our spirits....it effectively becomes our hell......as we suffer from our guilt. The further from God, the deeper into hell we dwell, and the more painful our mental suffering for the sins that prevent us from basking in the love of the Lord. It is a state of eternal agony, because we will know that it need not be that way, except due to our own selfishness. However, because of our Heavenly Father's great love for us, he has prepared a way that our sins can be propitiated by a Redeemer. Our Elder Brother, Jesus, is chosen (and I mean that literally) to be the one who is to be the Savior of all who come unto him. As a perfect sacrifice, Christ (the Promised Messiah......promised and chosen before the foundations of the world) becomes the One who we can covenant with so that we too can share his grace, if we will but keep our end of the promise. Basically, the covenant he presents to us is that he will atone for the sins of all those who promise to keep his commandments, and follow in his footsteps. If we do that, our sins are remitted / blotted out / washed away....however you want to consider it....they are no longer a hindrance to our eternal progression, and eternal life with our Heavenly Father is assured. Those who do not make that covenant, have no such promise. Now the key to this aspect of salvation, is the covenant aspect. Basically, a covenant is a two way promise. We promise to do certain things, and in return Jesus promises eternal life, so to speak. Jesus has by virtue of his atonement, paid the price for the sins of all mortals....the catch is that only those mortals who accept him are covered by his sins. What do I mean by, accept him.......?..........I mean they who accept him are those who commit their lives to him by making a covenant with him that they will keep his commandments, and then follow in his footsteps. That journey begins with faith, requires repentance, and is convenantally entered into through the waters of baptism. In return, the Lord gives his promise of spiritual salvation, and the Holy Spirit to guide us in our journey to return to heaven. While this does require effort (work, as some want to label it) on our part, IF Jesus had not atoned for our sins, nothing done on our part could have substituted for his atoning grace. If that makes any sense to you, John.......it would be nice if you could tell me how your understanding of salvation contrasts mine. And...if you can explain how your perspective differs from the commonly accepted Protestant version....that would be icing on the cake for me.....but not necessary IF you don't feel comfortable doing so. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
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