Is Mormon Exaltation Salvation, or Idolatry?

11 March

 General Conference, ‘The Book,’ October 2014; “The leaders did not set the requirements for exaltation. God did!” – Allan F. Packer

Ok, before we look at Mr. Packer’s comment let’s see what Mormons mean by “exaltation”.

The Gospel Principles manual defines exaltation this way:

“Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.”

So, exaltation equals eternal life in Mormonism. Now, let’s see what God has said about eternal life, and what is “required” to receive it.

First we must understand that we have sinned against God, and there are consequences for our sin.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus, the Son of God became flesh, took on our sins and died upon the cross as propitiation for them.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

2 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Now, how do we receive eternal life, what ‘requirements’ (if any) are there?

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 10:9 That 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.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Once we have repented of our sins, and put our full trust in Jesus we become part of God’s family forever.

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

The requirements for Mormon exaltation is a long list of to-do’s, must-do’s, and don’t-do’s. It’s a works based way of salvation that has nothing to do with the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for all of us.

In Christ,

Melissa Grimes

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