>>> In mormon belief, salvation/exaltation is ONLY reached by accepting and fulfilling the terms of the “contract/covenant” via special/secret/sacred “ordinances”. This “contract” is available ONLY through LDS Inc.
yeah... thats what I hear... but I also hear that salvation and exaltation are not the same... that LDS exaltation is what we understand to be salvation, and that salvation itself in LDS terms refers only to the resurrection of the physical body itself.
However, they will talk about salvation to a non LDS Christian as if it were exaltation, and allow that presumption of “sameness” to exist as long as they are not questioned on it. They will even use salvation/exaltation in the same sentence as if they were synonymous terms.
Not that they do this intentionally, because most of them may not even understand the difference between the two terms according to their own scripture.
Difficult call, however IMHO, it is evident here that when pressed mormon will admit to the different definitions of the term 'salvation'. In their effort to costume themselves as Christians, they take many common Christian terms and redefine them to mask their true doctrine from the uneducated. Were they to walk up and say that salvation was becoming a god/dess, it wouldn't go over very well with the rest of the Christian-exposed community - they'd see that mormonism in the outer limits. Anything to win a convert.
Yes, and no. Some Mormon theologians (like BYU prof Rbt Millet) will use "salvation" and "exaltation" interchangeably. But most take the time to label "exaltation" as an exclusive form of salvation limited to temple married Mormon who keep ALL of the commandments, ordinances, covenants of Mormonism.
...that LDS exaltation is what we understand to be salvation,...
Again, yes and no. Yes, in that it equates to being in God's presence forever. ('cause all other forms of what Mormons call "salvation" negates this). But "No" in that Mormon exaltation = becoming a god...having all knowledge, all wisdom, all power, the ability to be a creator, receiving worship, etc.
...and that salvation itself in LDS terms refers only to the resurrection of the physical body itself.
Yes, in that salvation is a general term Lds use to apply to "immortality" and a resurrection of the dead.
However, they will talk about salvation to a non LDS Christian as if it were exaltation, and allow that presumption of “sameness” to exist as long as they are not questioned on it. They will even use salvation/exaltation in the same sentence as if they were synonymous terms. Not that they do this intentionally, because most of them may not even understand the difference between the two terms according to their own scripture.
Correct. You've nailed it.
I tried pointing that out in a thread How can 'exaltation' be 'eternal life' when 'eternal life' starts now & exaltation occurs later?.
I said, citing John 3:36 and John 5:24 about eternal life being NOW: Jesus says we pass from death to life already! It's already happened for the "hath" (has) everlasting life people. You may say, "Wait a minute. My Mormon leaders have told us 'eternal life' = eternal progression and celestial heaven and becoming heirs. But you're telling me eternal life is now? How can that be?"
And one LDS poster labeled what I said to be a strawman and false dichotomy. So I showed him all the places Mormon leaders falsely "dichotomized" in making 'eternal life" out to be an exclusive Mormon club...and where Mormon leaders didn't "dichotomize" between 'eternal life' and 'exaltation' in order to pull those theological gymnastics off...see: When Mormon leaders say ‘Eternal Life’ they mean exalted godhood