“it is clear that LDS believe that something is required of them to receive the highest reward that God has to offer.”
Then it is not a gift, you have worked for your reward.
“I don’t believe that just believing in Jesus in my mind or confessing with my lips is enough. I have to make a sincere effort to follow Christ.”
No one I know argues that “just believing” or “confessing” is the same as saving faith. Mormons however, go beyond faith into works and guarantee they cannot be saved unless they leave the works based system.
I would add gently that it has nothing to do with what you believe. It has everything to do with what HE has said and done.
“This takes love, sacrifice, repentance, selflessness, charity, longsuffering etc — the things that Jesus taught and exemplified.”
No one complains [much] that mormons done live a “good life”. In fact, the basis of salvation is not your works, Norman, but HIS WORK. You neither add to it nor earn it.
“We have to make an effort, and of course we will fall short, but we have to repent of our sins, and keep on trying to overcome.”
Of course you do, you have a mormonic false gospel that substitutes itself for the real Gospel of Grace.
Bottom line: mormons believe they must work to get into heaven and that Christ’s gift is insufficient. They must prove themselves worthy to recieve a gift!
There are really only a few ways to falsify God’s message. Satan recycles them like a fashion show:
Distort the nature of God - mormons do this in spades! God the Father used to be a man - Adam - and sinned. Jesus was a created spirit being. The Holy Spirit was naughty (sinned) and is now on probation with no body. Every one of those is idolatry.
Distort the Gospel of Grace - The Apostle Paul warned all Christians about messages like yours, Norman. Mormonism has turned the Gospel of Grace into a false gospel of human works.
Distort the Bible - again, mormonism really excels at this! Cast doubt on what God has said.
This is the same exact plan Satan has used since the Garden of Eden and now he has every mormon to spread his message.
Only Him. Only grace. Only one God.
ampu
I would add gently that it has nothing to do with what you believe. It has everything to do with what HE has said and done.
Well certainly Jesus has done everything to make Salvation possible for all mankind.
However I believe for Christ’s sacrifice to have any benefit to me, I must respond to it through faith in Him and by following His teachings.