Visiting Teaching Message – August 2014

28 July

Visiting Teaching MsgThe Visiting Teaching message for the month of August gives a brief description of the Mormons view of the role Jesus as Messiah. Elder Jeffery R. Holland and Dieter F. Uchtdorf are both quoted saying that Jesus “is our salvation”, and that “there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man (or woman) can be saved.” Yet both of these men, who are well known leaders of the church will also say that the temple works also play a part in one’s salvation.

So if Jesus is our salvation and it’s only through Him we can live in the presence of God why are Mormons spending so much of their time doing family history work and baptizing the dead into their religion?

In the Gospel Principles manual chapter 40 at the top of the page we read:

The Atonement of Jesus Christ assures each of us that we will be resurrected and live forever. But if we are to live forever with our families in Heavenly Father’s presence, we must do all that the Savior commands us to do. This includes being baptized and confirmed and receiving the ordinances of the temple.

It seems as though they want to have it both ways doesn’t it? On one hand they want Jesus to be their all in all, but they still want to have a personal hand in the salvation of themselves and deceased by participating in temple rituals.

Earlier this month my dad passed away. I know I will see him again because of his profession of faith in Jesus Christ. I can hold on to that knowledge that because of Jesus Christ I will be reunited with all my loved ones again not because I did their temple work but because of the work He did on the cross.
I’m so thankful that I no longer live with the urgent need to do works of salvation by proxy for my dead loved ones. Jesus has lifted that burden off my shoulders, and for that I will be eternally grateful. 🙂

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes (melissa@lifeafer.org)

References:

August Visiting Teaching Message – 

Gospel Principles Chapter 40 –

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