1. Without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, nothing else matters.
2. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) The same idea is expressed frequently in the Bible: those who love God keep his commandments (Ex. 20:6; Deut. 5:10, 7:9, 19:9; Josh. 22:5; Dan. 9:4; John 15:10; 1 John 5:2, 3). We believe that those commandments include the making of covenants, such as those involved in the ordinances of baptism, the endowment, and eternal marriage.
3. Not everyone has the same opportunity in life to hear the gospel and accept the covenants. Because God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:24), he has provided a way that all may receive the gospel and the ordinances. Hence we have the temples and proxy ordinances.
Why then, must one "pass the judgement of Joseph Smith to enter the Celestial kingdom?"
The Apostle Paul wrote that "the saints shall judge the world" and that they would "judge angels" (1 Cor. 6:2, 3) That being the case in Paul's day, I see nothing strange in the idea that Joseph Smith, through whom the ancient Church was restored, will judge those of the latter days.
However, he will do so only under the direction of Jesus Christ.
"Living according to the gospel of Jesus Christ", really means "Living according to the gospel of Jesus Christ as it is interpreted by the LDS church, does it not?"
Since I believe that the LDS Church understands the Gospel as well as anyone, I have no problem recommending our interpretation of it.
However, I think perhaps you may be missing an important point. Salvation is not merely a matter of interpreting the gospel, but living it. We will be judged not just by what we know but by how well we lived according to what we know. Those whose interpretation is imperfect may nevertheless be blessed by living the best they know how. As Jesus said, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48).
I believe that God loves all mankind as his children. He desires all to be saved. He will do what he can, consistent with his justice, to save those who will be saved.
This post is much more indicative of mormon beliefs that your orginal post #291 that left out major points.
I question this statement from that post: I see nothing in the scriptures about ruling planets or spirit children. That is speculation. Unfortunately, a lot of folklore has been built on speculation
Through my own personal experience, I know that it is taught that there are millions of spirit children waiting for earthly bodies, hence the practice of large LDS families. Also, my experience is that it is much more than "speculation" that "as man is God once was, as God is man may become" (even though this is denied after many years of teaching it), but is a firm belief by many mormons. Thanks.
Thanks.
Through my own personal experience, I know that it is taught that there are millions of spirit children waiting for earthly bodies, hence the practice of large LDS families. Also, my experience is that it is much more than "speculation" that "as man is God once was, as God is man may become" (even though this is denied after many years of teaching it), but is a firm belief by many mormons. Thanks.
Perhaps I was not clear. What I labeled as speculation in my previous post was the idea that men will rule their own planets. Also speculative are most statements about the birth of spirit children that one hears from time to time.
That said, Mormons generally believe it likely that many spirits, children of our Heavenly Father, are still awaiting their opportunity to come to earth. Whether there be millions, I could not say.
You allude to Lorenzo Snow's famous couplet, "As man now is, God once was; As God now is, man may be." It is still taught in the Church. And as you note, it is firmly believed by many of us.