There are major points in Ephesians:2:8-10 [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
that do not agree with LDS teaching and it is important to clarify these issues in order to lead Mormons to biblical salvation. Number 1 is their teaching of who Jesus is. Jesus Himself said that unless we believe that He is “I AM”, God, we will die in our sins, and cannot go to heaven. (John:8:24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins..) God became a man to save us. (John:1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.,14.) Only God can forgive sins. (Luke:5:20-21 [20] And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
[21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
; Mark:2:7Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?.) Jesus of Mormonism is not God who became a man, but a man who became a god, a brother of all, a created being, which, according to them, all mankind is, contrasting what the Bible says, i.e. that Jesus is God, Creator of all. (Matt:1:23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.; John:1:1-3 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
, 14; Col:1:16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:; John:8:23-24 [23] And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
[24] I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
.) The number 2 conflict with Mormon teaching is they believe they are “saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (3rd Articles of Faith) – i.e. that by their works they earn salvation, and that “grace” is applicable only after they have done all that they can do. (“…for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” 2 Nephi 25:23.) This is a real problem for Mormons because grace without works is taught to be “one of the most untrue doctrines found in modern Christendom”. (Mormon Doctrine, p. 671.)
In Mormonism ”salvation by grace alone” means “resurrection alone” and if one is not a Mormon working for salvation, resurrection alone will bring only damnation. (See Mormon Doctrine p. 671.) It is important to stress the biblical truth that to be saved, we must follow the One who is the Truth, and whose Word is Truth. (John:14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.; 17:17).
(Higley, H.I.S. Ministries September Newsletter, covering August 2010, 9/1/2010).
