Are We Saved By Grace?

Yes! Let there be no mistake–the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that man can be saved only by and through Jesus Christ. It really is that simple. The answer is and shall always be: YES!

You may have been taught that “Mormons” believe that they are saved by works. You may have even heard a member friend say as much but it’s simply not true. And thank heaven for that!

I believe some of the confusion may be due to a verse in the Book of Mormon. In the book of 2 Nephi, we hear from a man named Nephi who lived in Jerusalem around 600 BC. This would have made him a contemporary of Old Testament prophets such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel. He was the son of Lehi and the brother of Laman. Much of the Book of Mormon deals with their descendants who would often divide themselves into groups based on lineage and worldview known as the Nephites and Lamanites.

In verse 23 of 2 Nephi, chapter 25, we read:

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

One way to read this is that we believe in salvation by the grace of Jesus Christ only after, in a chronological sense, doing everything we can. That interpretation emphasizes us rather than the Savior. I don’t think that what’s Nephi meant.

I believe that Nephi was referring to our salvation by grace despite all we can do. When I read that verse, I consider its message as saying that we are saved by the grace of Christ in spite of everything we could possibly do.

This idea seems to be supported in the greater context of the chapter. Referring to the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah, Nephi makes it clear in Whom he places his faith and trust. Verse 13, emphasis added:

Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.

Nephi believes that he will be saved by Jesus Christ.

In case he didn’t make himself clear, he goes on:

20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.

How does the Savior’s grace relate to His commandments? I think Christ Himself was pretty clear on that in John 14:15 when He said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” What else do we need to say about that?

But lest some continue to misunderstand, let’s review a few more verses where Nephi doesn’t mince words when it comes to whether or not our obedience and good works can replace the Savior:

25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away.

…

29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.

Do Mormons believe that they are saved by Christ’s grace? Yes.