Are you saved?

"As I understand what is meant by the good Christians who speak in these terms, we are "saved" when we sincerely declare or confess that we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.  This meaning relies on the words the Apostle Paul taught the Christians of his day: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10).  To Latter-day Saints, the words saved and salvation in this teaching signify a present covenant relationship with Jesus Christ in which we are assured salvation from the consequences of sin if we are obedient.  Every sincere Latter-day Saint is "saved" according to this meaning.  We have been converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, we have experienced repentance and baptism, and we are renewing our covenants of baptism by partaking of the sacrament."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Excerpt from "Have You Been Saved?"

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     All of Christianity points to Jesus.  The gospel is framed around His death and resurrection and how it provided justification to God through His selfless and undeserved act towards mankind.  That is why a majority of Christians talk about being 'saved' because it is that hope that we rejoice over.  So whenever the Bible, the gospel, Jesus, God, etc. is brought up, most Christians will inevitably ask, "Are you saved?"  But what does that mean?  How does a person know if they are saved?  What are we saved from?    

     Well, let me tell you what being 'saved' doesn't mean.  It does not mean a person is saved from physical death.  "For as in Adam all die..." (1 Cor 15:22a).  Everyone will die.  This is the inevitable conclusion to our life on this earth.  Furthermore, being 'saved' isn't a reference to a bodily resurrection either.  "Having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust." (Acts 24:15).  The Bible says that there are two different types of people:  Those that believe in Jesus and those that don't.  However, the Bible says that it doesn't matter which side of that coin you are on, you will be resurrected.  So, since both the believer and the non believer will be brought back to life then being 'saved' cannot be a reference to our resurrection.  If it were, the question would render itself useless as the answer would always be 'yes'.

     So, what does it mean?  When a Christian asks if you are saved, they are asking about your eternal destination.  Essentially, "Are you going to heaven or hell?"  But, it's actually more involved than just that.  You see, being 'saved' implies two things:  1) That there is something to be saved from and 1) there is a person or thing that can do the saving.
     The thing to be saved from is an eternity apart from God.  Hell is very real and it is not a place one would like to go.  There's a "fiery lake of burning sulfur" (Rev 21:8) where there is a lot of  "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt 13:50).  It's a place where people suffer in eternal punishment, where your soul and resurrected body is destroyed (Matt 10:28).  This is why the Bible calls it the second death (Rev 20:13-14, 21:8).  Basically, you don't want to go there...ever.  

     Now that we know what we need to be saved from, we need to address who does the saving.  The To this, the Bible is very clear.  "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). His death on the cross was sufficient to satisfy God's requirement for justice.  It is by His blood that we are saved from the torment and destruction that awaits us because of our sinful lives.  "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal lfie..."

     So, when a person says they are saved, what they are saying is that Jesus Christ died on a cross for them.  They are exclaiming that their sins have been paid for in full by the blood of Jesus, and that they are no longer destined for hell.  They are saying that nothing they've done has warranted salvation in any sense of the word and are proclaiming that they have put all of their trust in Jesus to completely redeem them before God.  They are saved from that punishment and torment and will instead enjoy everlasting bliss and will spend an eternity with God in heaven and bask in His glory.  

     Now I can hear my Mormon friends and family saying, "Oh, well I believe that.  So, I guess by your definition, I am saved!"  I mean, that's essentially what Elder Oaks said.  But hold on a second.  You guys are most likely still misunderstanding me.  You see, the problem is that Mormonism is guilty of high-jacking Christian vernacular.  They use the same words but have different meanings.  Let me spell it out even more, so that there will be no more confusion.  When Christians talk about Jesus they mean the Jesus of the Bible, the one who is equal to God, the creator of all the universe, the Alpha and the Omega, the second member of the Godhead, God with us, God in the flesh, the Jesus who is literally God.  When Christians say that their sins are forgiven they mean that every sin - whether past, present or future - have been washed away and they stand blameless before God.  When a Christian says that there is nothing they can do they mean that it is only through their faith in Jesus they are redeemed.  They are admitting their good deeds amount to nothing and that salvation is found solely by calling on the name of Jesus.  When a Christian speaks of the afterlife, they have the belief that you can go only one of two places: heaven or hell.  When a Christian says hell, they are referring to a place of great anguish and torment, a place that is not only a fiery prison but a place where you are eternally separated from God.  When a Christian says heaven they are referring to that place in the afterlife, where God the father is seated enthroned, His angels singing His praise, and the body of believers will enjoy everlasting peace and joy.  

     Here is where the proverbial rubber meets the road.  A distinction is starting to form in your minds between Mormon theology and Christian theology.  You see, it is only when we define these common terms and get down to the substance of it all that we can actually get anywhere.  If we are using this definition of 'saved', the definition that all Christians are using, then most Mormons would likely have admit that they are not saved.  Oh, but wait...I can hear my friends forming arguments in their heads:

• Who are you to tell who is saved and who isn't?
• This is all based on YOUR definitions and interpretations
• What authority do you have to speak for these other Christians on what salvation means?
• Your premises are all way off, buddy!
• If you knew the fullness of the gospel, then you'd see we're not that different.  
• We know more about this stuff than you because of our modern day prophets and revelations.
• You're playing the semantics game!

     Look, lets just be honest.  All of Christianity believes on 'my' definition of being saved.  That is just simple fact.  If you don't believe me, go and talk to a pastor at any Christian church near you and find out for yourself.  Have them read this blog if you're having trouble conveying 'my' definition.  Seriously, do it!  I'm 100% positive that they'll confirm it.  And you know why?  Because that is what being 'saved' means.  And this is because it is not my definition but the Bible's.  

     Furthermore, the most important part of going to heaven is getting to be in the presence of God the Father.  Yes, it is a beautiful paradise where joy and suffering are no more, but that is because we are in the presence of the Holy One.  In Mormonism, this "heaven" is only accomplished if one makes it to the Celestial kingdom, which is the highest of their three degrees of glory.  As such, Christians would define the other two Mormon "heavens" as just better versions of hell.  My friend Kevin Young from the band Disciple says it best in their song "My Hell".   

"This was my hell

living without you here

Even heaven is hell

if somehow You were not there"

     But, in order to go to that heaven, Mormons teach that in addition to believing in Jesus there are other things that you must do or receive to be admitted.  "There are three kingdoms, or degrees of glory...[and] the Lord has prescribed requirements for eternal life in the celestial kingdom.  We must receive the testimony of Jesus, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and keep the commandments (see D&C 76:51-52).  We must overcome all things by faith and be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (see D&C 76:53,60). [Furthermore,] we must comply with the new and everlasting covenant of marriage (see D&C 131:1-3)." (click here for more information).  

     Using the correct definition of 'saved' includes a part where there is absolutely nothing we can do to be saved.  Or in other words, anything we do will not help our situation.  We cannot get a better seat in heaven if we obey more than any body else, or send a check to humanitarian efforts, or help an old lady cross the street.  Salvation, being saved, getting into heaven rests completely on the efforts and blood of our Savior, Jesus.  By contrast, Mormonism teaches that you need Jesus, but you also need to be baptized and get married in the LDS Temple, among other things.  Do you see the difference?  Are you listening?  If not, let me make it as clear as day.

• The Mormon equivalent to Christian heaven is the Celestial Kingdom
  
• How does one get to heaven/celestial kingdom?
  
• Biblical Christian's answer: JESUS
  
• Mormon's answer: JESUS, BAPTISM, TEMPLE MARRIAGE, KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS AND THE OTHER ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL, RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT

*Keep in mind, I am only talking about being saved, salvation, or what the Bible calls "Justification."  Yes, keeping the commandments, baptism, etc. are important, but they are used for sanctification, or the process of making one Holy.  They are, however, completely unnecessary and useless in terms of Justification.  

Now do you see the difference in theology?

     The Bible says there is no other name by which you are saved.  That means that only Jesus can save you.  He is the way.  Period.  So, if you pair Jesus' blood and work on the cross with anything else (ceremonies, actions, ordinances, etc.) then it becomes a gospel of Jesus+, and that is straight up heresy.  Besides, Jesus does not need your help to save you.  I mean, why would God need your help to do anything?  He's all powerful, all knowing, all creating, all glorious, and completely Holy.  And you are....well...you.

     Instead of listening to Nephi (2 Nephi 25:23) and LDS prophets and Quorum members tell you that it takes Jesus+ to be 'saved', why not just trust the words of Jesus?

 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life.   No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:9)

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25)

"Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. ...Truly, truly I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. ...I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. ...For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:29-40)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.  He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24)