Mormon Dilemma 109

03 December

Salvation and Exaltation

We Follow Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2010, 86; “We rejoice in all the Savior has done for us. He has made it possible for each of us to gain our salvation and exaltation.” – Quentin L. Cook

Jude 1:24-25; “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

In order to fully appreciate what Mr. Cook has proclaimed here we need to look at the meaning of the Mormon explanation for exaltation.

Exaltation for a Mormon is code for salvation.  You cannot have a true salvation without exaltation.  Achieving exaltation means that you’ve worked sufficiently enough here on earth to earn godhood status for heaven and have your own earth someday to be a polygamous god and populate that earth.

The Mormon believes he/she wouldn’t be able to work for this status if Jesus hadn’t paid for sin in the Garden of Gethsemane and then die on the cross.

Every single aspect of what salvation means has been turned on its proverbial head with the Mormon definition.  From the true meaning of the word, what it means for the Christian in heaven, the status of man, the status of God, where Jesus paid for man’s sin, how He paid for it; you name it, it’s different.

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pg. 479; “To Latter-day Saints, exaltation is a state that a person can attain in becoming like God-salvation in the ultimate sense (D&C 132:17). Latter-day Saints believe that all mankind (except the sons of perdition) will receive varying degrees of glory in the afterlife. Exaltation is the greatest of all the gifts and attainments possible. It is available only in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom and is reserved for members of the Church of the Firstborn. This exalted status, called eternal life, is available to be received by a man and wife. It means not only living in God’s presence, but receiving power to do as God does, including the power to bear children after the resurrection (TPJS, pp. 300-301; D&C 132:19).”

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12 Responses to “Mormon Dilemma 109”

  1. shematwater December 3, 2011 at 10:38 pm #

    And again we have a twisting of LDS words and doctrine.

    First of all, we have not altered the mean of the word Salvation. We simple don’t use it exclusively for one meaning.
    Salvation is to be saved from a lower condition, or a condition of sorrow and pain. Thus it can be said that Abraham was black man’s salvation when he signed the Emancipation Proclamation. People have used the term in reference to being saved from poverty or other hard and difficult circumstances.
    When it comes the the LDS we use it in reference to any condition of sorrow from which we are saved. Thus salvation can refer to the resurrection, or being saved from physical death. It can refer to entering into any degree of heaven, or being saved from the spiritual death. It can be used to speak only to the Celestial Kingdom, or only to the state of Exaltation, which is being saved from a stagnate life.

    For you to claim the word salvation is “code” for another word that appears in the same sentence only shows that you have no understanding. In this passage Elder Cook is using the term to refer to salvation from death, both physical and spiritual, which includes all degrees of glory. He is then using the term Exaltation to add onto that salvation an even greater reward that we hope for.
    As to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, it specifically states that Exaltation is “salvation in the ultimate sense,” or Salvation from all unwanted or undesirable conditions of life from which one can be saved.

    Having completely messed up LDS doctrine on this main point all that you attach to it is also proven false.

  2. Wildman December 16, 2011 at 6:53 am #

    I appreciate the articulate, and correct, teachings of the comment above. If I wanted to know more about the Jewish faith, I would ask a practicing Jew. I would not access an anti-semitic site to learn about Judiism.

    Contrast that to the site you have just visited. Much of the teachings of this site are non-sense, offering a non-informed guess at the meaning of a teaching that comes from a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Here is my suggestion: Rather than coming to a site that is not of the LDS faith, go to a site where a Latter Day Saint goes, and you can then hear the true positions of their faith, and make your own decision.

    By the way, while you are searching, ask yourself how you feel when you read the contents of this site, versus the teachings of the LDS site. One offerings confllict and war; the other offers invitation and peace.

    A final challenge: Search for an LDS site that attacks other religions; you will not find one. Why? The answer to this question will enlighten you.

  3. shematwater December 16, 2011 at 8:59 pm #

    Very Nice Wildman.

  4. CamdenC December 17, 2011 at 12:52 am #

    Guys – As I have said many times before, this ministry to the LDS people is only responding to the initial attacks from the LDS church.
    “Catholics and Protestants are the whore of Babylon”
    “all Christian sects and denominations are apostate… they draw near to God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him”
    “Baptism and the Lord’s Supper practiced outside of the LDS church has no authority and highly offends God”

    You don’t have a ministry aimed at Biblical Christians because the true believers have the discernment of the Holy Spirit to lead them into all righteousness… If I had been raised in an evangelical home and gave my heart to Jesus as a young adult, I wouldn’t even think twice about joining the LDS church. But I was raised as a Mormon and it was all I ever knew and believed until the Holy Spirit softened my heart and I gave my life to Jesus… as a young adult.

    We desire to spread the Gospel as found in the Bible… To preach Christ, and Him crucified. That there is nothing we can do to become more right with God. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

    We give our hearts and lives to Him and desire to draw closer to Him; heart, soul, mind, and strength. We profess with our mouths and believe in our hearts. He is the only way, the only salvation, and our only hope.

    It is such a joyful life having a love relationship with our Lord and Savior… and I am going to keep on running the race, until I see His face!

  5. shematwater December 17, 2011 at 10:19 pm #

    CAMDEN

    The problem is that this blog, and all the others like it, are not out to spread the gospel. Quite honestly, if all that was ever posted was your own beliefs concerning the gospel and the preaching of your doctrine, I wouldn’t be here; and neither would most other people I would expect.
    But this is not what is being done. What is being done is blogs devoted to what you believe is wrong with us. These blogs do not spread the gospel, but attempt to destroy something else.

    You say this is merely in response to a few comments made by church leaders; but if it was merely a response you would simply address the points made, and leave it at that. But that is not what is done. You are not defending against attacks, but are making attacks of your own.

    And there is a big difference between stating that another religion is false and devoting countless hours and resources to dig up any tiny thing that might possibly look bad in order to launch a hostile campaign.

    The fact of the matter is that we do believe all the rest of Christianity is the whore of the Earth and has been set up by the devil: But we do not base our ministry on this belief, as this blog does. We base our ministry on our belief that we are right, and the truth will shine through in the end.
    This blog is based on the belief that we are wrong, and so we have to be destroyed, as we are a danger to the truth.

  6. CamdenC December 18, 2011 at 6:35 pm #

    I just don’t understand why we are the “whore of the Earth”???

    Is it because we believe in the Bible as the infallible Word of God?
    Is it because we believe that Jesus is the only Way?
    Is it because we believe that God spoke everything into existence?
    Is it because we believe that Jesus, being God, set aside all of His attributes to be born of a virgin here on Earth?
    Is it because we believe that Jesus paid for all of the sins of mankind on the cross of Calvary?
    Is it because we believe that we are saved by Grace through Faith, and not by works, so that no man can boast?
    Is it because we believe that if we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved?
    Is it because we believe the Lord when He said, “…whoever beieves in Me shall not perish, but have everlasting life”
    Is it because we believe God when He said, …besides Me, there are no other gods”.
    Is it because we believe, “by the works of the law is no flesh justified”

    OR

    Is it because we do not believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God?
    Is it because we do not beleive that many great and noble spirits helped God “organize” already existing elements to form the heavens and the Earth?
    Is it because we do not believe that there are (3) Gods in Heaven?
    Is it because we do not believe that we have a “Mother in Heaven”?
    Is it because we do not believe that God was once a sinful man and worked His way up to God-hood?
    Is it because we do not believe that Jesus is a created being?
    Is it because we do not believe that the LDS scriptures are “God breathed”?
    Is it because we do not believe that there is anything we can do to earn our salvation or a higher station in the afterlife, by the good works that we do?
    Is it because we do not believe that there is a second chance at salvation and the only way our relatives from times past can be saved is if people are baptized for them today?
    Is it because we do not believe that polygamy is a sacred thing and ordained/commanded by God?
    Is it because we do not believe that sometime in the future, we can be a God?
    Is it because we do not believe in the building of temples or agree with what goes on inside of them?

    The Gospel is so simple!!! Believe-Trust-Follow JESUS…

    anything beyond that has been “set up by the devil”.

  7. shematwater December 19, 2011 at 8:06 pm #

    CAMDEN

    “Is it because we believe in the Bible as the infallible Word of God?”
    Yes, for the Bible has not been perfectly preserved, and thus you are believing the false translations rather than the truth of God.

    “Is it because we believe that Jesus is the only Way?”
    Nope.

    “Is it because we believe that God spoke everything into existence?”
    Yes, because you deny the truth of eternity; that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only shaped; and thus you concept of God is wrong.

    “Is it because we believe that Jesus, being God, set aside all of His attributes to be born of a virgin here on Earth?”
    Yes, because he did not set aside his attributes, and in so believing you have a false concept of Christ.

    “Is it because we believe that Jesus paid for all of the sins of mankind on the cross of Calvary?”
    Yes, because it is a false understanding of the Atonement.

    “Is it because we believe that we are saved by Grace through Faith, and not by works, so that no man can boast?”
    Yes, because without our works we cannot be saved, and thus to deny them is to deny your own salvation.

    “Is it because we believe that if we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved?”
    Nope.

    “Is it because we believe the Lord when He said, “…whoever beieves in Me shall not perish, but have everlasting life”
    Yes, because he never said this. He said they “should” not parish, and thus has put a condition on everlasting life. (See the KJV)

    “Is it because we believe God when He said, …besides Me, there are no other gods”.”
    Only in that you misunderstand the meaning of this verse.

    “Is it because we believe, “by the works of the law is no flesh justified”
    Yes, because you misunderstand the meaning; as this verse speaks to the Law of Moses, and not the Law of the Covenant.

    “Is it because we do not believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God?”
    Yes, for in so doing you reject one of God’s greatest servants, and thus reject him.

    “Is it because we do not beleive that many great and noble spirits helped God “organize” already existing elements to form the heavens and the Earth?”
    Yes, because you once again deny the truth of eternity and the entire purpose of our existence.

    “Is it because we do not believe that there are (3) Gods in Heaven?”
    Yes, because you in so doing you deny the true nature of God.

    “Is it because we do not believe that we have a “Mother in Heaven”?”
    Yes, because you again deny the true purpose of or existence, as well as the truths of eternity, and the very nature of God.

    “Is it because we do not believe that God was once a sinful man and worked His way up to God-hood?”
    Nope. God never was a sinful man, and while there may be some members who like to think this, they are very much wrong. So, your rejection of this is perfectly accurate.

    “Is it because we do not believe that Jesus is a created being?”
    In a way, for his body was created, just as all our physical bodies are created. But not completely, for his spirit is uncreated, just as all our spirits are uncreated.

    “Is it because we do not believe that the LDS scriptures are “God breathed”?”
    Yes, because in so doing you reject his word and revelations to man on earth, and in so doing reject him.

    “Is it because we do not believe that there is anything we can do to earn our salvation or a higher station in the afterlife, by the good works that we do?”
    Yes (see above).

    “Is it because we do not believe that there is a second chance at salvation and the only way our relatives from times past can be saved is if people are baptized for them today?”
    Partly, but there is no second chance. This is a false idea that you are welcome to reject.

    “Is it because we do not believe that polygamy is a sacred thing and ordained/commanded by God?”
    Yes, for in so doing you reject the commands of God and his plans a designs for his children.

    “Is it because we do not believe that sometime in the future, we can be a God?”
    Yes, for it again denies the very purpose of our creation, as well as the nature and character of God.

    “Is it because we do not believe in the building of temples or agree with what goes on inside of them?”
    Yes, because this is a rejection of the true gospel and thus a rejection of God and salvation.

    In all truth, I think it would be more accurate to say that these things exist because Christianity is the Whore of the Earth, rather than that they make it the Whore of the Earth. What actually makes it the whore of the Earth is the practice in the early years of assimilating pagan doctrines and concepts into the church, as well as the corruption that soon arose among the leaders, which lead many people astray. Finally it is the fact that it has spread this wickedness throughout the world.

    “The Gospel is so simple!!! Believe-Trust-Follow JESUS…
    anything beyond that has been “set up by the devil”.”
    I couldn’t agree more with this statement. I believe in Christ so much that when he tells me to do something I trust that it will be for my good, and so I follow his commandments. If I did not obey his commands I would show a lack of trust, and thus my faith would be dead.

  8. CamdenC December 19, 2011 at 11:39 pm #

    Please expound on the following…

    Is it because we do not believe that God was once a sinful man and worked His way up to God-hood?”
    Nope. God never was a sinful man, and while there may be some members who like to think this, they are very much wrong. So, your rejection of this is perfectly accurate.

    “As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become”

    Please clarify…

  9. shematwater December 20, 2011 at 9:50 pm #

    “As man is God once was…”

    This means that God was once mortal, as we are now; that he was born on an Earth like this one, that he passed through the trials of mortality and progressed to his status as God.
    However, Christ was also mortal, born on this Earth, passed through these trials, and progressed to his status as God; yet he lived a sinless life. In the same manner our Father lived a sinless life. Jesus himself confirms this when he states that “the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do. For whatsoever thing the Father doeth, so doth the Son Likewise.”

    “…As God is man may become.”

    This means that man may progress to the state of godhood, meaning possessing all the attributes of God in their fulness (knowledge, power, justice, mercy, etc.) and have an eternal increase in spirit offspring.
    What it does not mean is that we will gain the authority of God, or that we will ever be separated from the hierarchy of Heaven. We will have the same existence as God, but not the same authority, for we have not lived sinless lives as he has. He is the Head of the Gods because of this; and among us Christ will be our head.

    This quote is not to say that God did everything that we do, or had the same failings. It is to say that he existed in the same state (that is mortality) as we do now, and so we can progress to be in the same state (godhood) that he is now.

  10. CamdenC December 21, 2011 at 3:11 am #

    Also, I didn’t mean to say that you believe in a “second chance”, I don’t want people to think that I don’t know what it is you believe. I know you believe that those who didn’t have a chance to hear the “restored gospel” will have a chance to accept it in spirit prison. I also know that you believe that those who reject the “restored gospel” in this life, will have the same rejection in the afterlife. But that is sort of like a second chance… I mean if someone during the 1700’s believed in the Bible and had given their heart to Jesus, according to the Bible, and trusted in Him as their Lord and Savior, but didn’t get baptized in the LDS church or had a chance to proclaim J.S. a prophet or believed in the same Jesus as you do, wouldn’t they get a chance to accept the gospel that you preach in the afterlife?

    If spirits are uncreated, then what are “spirit offspring”?

  11. shematwater December 22, 2011 at 5:57 pm #

    CAMDEN

    They may have accepted Christ and been true believers. One cannot be saved without the proper ordinances performed by the legal representatives of God. So it is not a second chance to accept Christ and the gospel. It is a first chance to have the necessary work performed.

    Speaking of those in the 1700’s, they may believe in what the church was teaching, but as the doctrines taught were not the true gospel they have faith in a lie, and thus their faith cannot save them.
    It is like believing a person to handle your finances, only to find out they were a con man and ran away with all your money. Once you are told the truth you want your money back, but need help to get it.
    So, those who truly believe will recognize the con in the next life, and seek assistance in restoring what was lost. Those who refuse to accept that it was a con do not seek such assistance and so will not have anything restored.

  12. CamdenC December 22, 2011 at 10:33 pm #

    I must be in extra double-trouble… since I was baptized into the church at 8, passed the sacrament at 12, Baptized for the dead at 14, and blessed the sacrament at 16… professed the LDS church as the only true church on earth and Joseph Smith a true prophet of God…

    I guess I am destined to be in the Terrestial Kingdom…

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