I’ve always wondered why the “works aren’t needed” crowd even bother. If works aren’t required, shouldn’t they just throw their Bibles away and party? After all, they are saved, and nothing they can do will help out.
Yep I’ve had the same thought many times. Why bother even printing a Bible? Just print out a single sheet of paper about the size of a fortune cookie strip that says “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. Apparently that’s really all that is needed.
I read a scripture today and it really was brought into sharper view because of the teachings of the standard works those who do not value the standards works would miss what was before their eyes!
Matt. 5:
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: ("receive Telestial glory")
but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ("receive Celestial Glory")
Rev 14
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Rev. 22:
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
John 14:
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
D&C 59:
2 For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them.
D&C 76:
111 For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared;
D&C 98:
18 Let not your hearts be troubled; for in my Father’s house are many mansions, and I have prepared a place for you; and where my Father and I am, there ye shall be also
That seems to be their attitude. No charity, no help for one’s fellow human beings, none of that stuff that the Lord specifically mentioned to do.
Try reading it on its own merit before throwing it out.
Once you are Saved in spirit with profession of faith in The Redeemer and faithe in His transforming pwoer, GOD comes in and you cannot happily live life like a hedonistic pig or an ‘all that you can do’ wallower in self pride. Sadly, Mormons have been lied to by the father of lies through his servant, Joe Smith, and are under the mistaken impression that they can behave like the character of God without the Life of God in their human spirit to transform their human soul.
Allow me to explain it this way, speaking purely of my earthly father.
My father and I are very close. I love my Dad. My Dad loves me. Nothing I can do (or ever did, for that matter) *made* him love me - he chose to love me of his own accord. He could have left me outside on that cold November morning when I was born, but he didn't - he chose to love me and to be the best father that a kid could have.
So, today, when my dad asks me to do something, I do everything in my power to do it. As an adult child, I don't obey my father because I have to, but because I want to. Sometimes, I'm unable or unwilling to do what my dad wants. It doesn't change my love for him, or his love for me.
It's the same with God. God loves us because He chose to, not because of what we do or did. I obey Him (do good works) because He told me to, and I love Him. So, works aren't *needed,* but they're a logical outflowing of a Christian's love for the Father.