SEEDS OF FAITH: MARTIN LUTHER 1483-1546
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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:8-10
By: Sharon Lamb
October 31, 2018
Over a year ago I discovered
that October 31, 2017 was to be the 500th anniversary of the posting of Martin
Luther’s 95 Theses. This inspired my study from that time over the well-known doctrine
of: salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone and not of works. Because writing assists learning and retention, I post some thoughts here. If there is any
benefit from this writing to others, I cannot take credit as all truth and all that is good
comes from God. If there is any inaccuracy, I take complete responsibility for
that. These thoughts are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official teachings
of any one religion or philosophy.
About Martin Luther
About Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a
pre-law university graduate whose life changed dramatically during a terrible
lightning storm while traveling. Luther believed that he would die and
dedicated the remainder of his life to God. Instead of law school, Martin
Luther entered an Augustinian monastery and became a monk, university professor
of scripture studies, a church leader, and pastor of a congregation. So highly
regarded was Martin Luther’s work, that the protestant reform movement that
grew out of the 95 Theses posting received university and government support.
This was in a remote area of the Holy Roman Empire now called Germany, and
Luther’s work was greatly aided by the mass printing press not previously available
to those before Luther who sought reform. Luther used the power of the press to
great advantage to address and inform community members in all levels of
society.
St. George Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Only recently I learned
that Martin Luther was among the eminent men and women, including founding fathers of the United States, who appeared to Lorenzo Snow in
the St. George temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1877 to request the
completion of their ordinances by proxy. There were several others who
participated in this work. The work was requested and completed not long after the temple dedication. St.
George was the third dedicated temple, the first operating temple in Utah, and the first temple that was not abandoned
within a short period because of persecution. Apostle Lorenzo Snow was the temple
president.
After learning that Martin Luther would not recant his writings, even after he was excommunicated and an extermination order issued against him by the Roman Catholic Church, I was much more interested to understand well the doctrine of justification by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works. It was interesting to read that Luther agonized that many did not understand the doctrine, including church leaders and clergy. Luther worked very hard during his life to educate all members of society in the doctrines of salvation and in how to live a Christian life. This was at a time when some parishes and most individuals did not have a Bible to study, and the gospel of Jesus Christ was taught neither at church nor in the home and school. Affordable mass printings of Bible translations into common languages were only beginning to emerge at great peril to those who participated in the work, including Martin Luther. How fortunate are the people of today's world who have free internet access to scriptures in many languages on lds.org, and on many other websites.
In my study of Martin
Luther and the protestant reform movement I viewed many excellent video documentary
and lecture series available on the internet and read various articles as well as
a recently published scholarly book about Martin Luther from a Roman Catholic author's perspective. Of Luther’s many writings I studied mainly the Small Catechism (written to assist
parents in teaching children, and of significant value for adults), Large Catechism (for adults) and A Treatise on Good Works. All are in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions) and available on the internet for free.
Like Martin Luther, when he wrote A Treatise on Good Works, I struggled to stop the flow of inspiration and ended up with a much longer
writing than initially intended. Surely the relationship of faith in the
atonement of Jesus Christ to good works is a very important doctrine to seek to
understand.
As I studied and prayed, many Book of Mormon passages came to mind. Through the
teachings of Peter, Paul and James coupled with the teachings of Lehi, King Benjamin, and Alma son of Alma my understanding solidified over time. This
doctrine is simple to understand mathematically, yet its effects are both personal
and far-reaching, infinitely amazing, wonderful and profound. I learned a great
deal about our relationship with God and the workings of salvation.
The notes are as
follows:
The sale of indulgences ignites a long and bloody religious and civil war
Repentance is required for God to forgive sin. For this reason alone, the solicitation of funds by a church body for the purpose of allowing one to purchase a certificate that in effect authorized and encouraged sinful behavior was surely not of God.
That the sale of indulgences was an incorrect and impure practice is obvious to anyone today with knowledge of Christian doctrine. At the time the practice was initiated, however, Christian access to a Bible was very limited.
Even without a knowledge of the Bible, the sale of indulgences was grossly unfair on its face. The rich could sin as much as they wished and for those with little means there was no room for error. For those within the church seeking to raise money to pay for bishoprics and buildings, the sale of indulgences was easy money and more sin meant more income for the church. Yet, surely Peter and Paul would have been aghast as, if God were to sanction such a practice, it would make God a respecter of the rich, persecutor of the poor, and one who preys upon the weaknesses of mankind instead of strengthening them.
It is not difficult to imagine the negative impact on any community of providing tacit authorization for citizens to break the law for money, and it is likely that police officers and government officials were very interested in what Martin Luther had to say. Had Martin Luther not raised the red flag, it would not have been long before government leaders would have been forced to do something about the church-supported increase in criminal and civil disobedience.
At the time of Martin Luther, the Roman Catholic Church was the government-supported religion of the Holy Roman Empire, with political (police) power. At its peak the Holy Roman Empire encompassed the territories of present-day Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium, and the Netherlands as well as parts of modern Poland, France and Italy. At the time of its dissolution it consisted of its core German territories and smaller parts of France, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
The sale of indulgences, while surely the most controversial religious and civic issue of the day and the one that "broke the camel's back" so to speak, was one of many Roman Catholic Church practices called into question during the century-long bloody reformation religious and civil war period.
That the sale of indulgences was an incorrect and impure practice is obvious to anyone today with knowledge of Christian doctrine. At the time the practice was initiated, however, Christian access to a Bible was very limited.
Even without a knowledge of the Bible, the sale of indulgences was grossly unfair on its face. The rich could sin as much as they wished and for those with little means there was no room for error. For those within the church seeking to raise money to pay for bishoprics and buildings, the sale of indulgences was easy money and more sin meant more income for the church. Yet, surely Peter and Paul would have been aghast as, if God were to sanction such a practice, it would make God a respecter of the rich, persecutor of the poor, and one who preys upon the weaknesses of mankind instead of strengthening them.
It is not difficult to imagine the negative impact on any community of providing tacit authorization for citizens to break the law for money, and it is likely that police officers and government officials were very interested in what Martin Luther had to say. Had Martin Luther not raised the red flag, it would not have been long before government leaders would have been forced to do something about the church-supported increase in criminal and civil disobedience.
At the time of Martin Luther, the Roman Catholic Church was the government-supported religion of the Holy Roman Empire, with political (police) power. At its peak the Holy Roman Empire encompassed the territories of present-day Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium, and the Netherlands as well as parts of modern Poland, France and Italy. At the time of its dissolution it consisted of its core German territories and smaller parts of France, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
The sale of indulgences, while surely the most controversial religious and civic issue of the day and the one that "broke the camel's back" so to speak, was one of many Roman Catholic Church practices called into question during the century-long bloody reformation religious and civil war period.
What we own
If one devoted an entire
lifetime and beyond only to God the debt for breath, life and salvation could not be paid. All are beggars,
relying completely upon God for everything. Any good work that we do and all that we have comes from and belongs to him. Therefore we can give him nothing that is not already his. At the end of each life, as none can pay any portion of the balance due in and of themselves, the
only hope for salvation is through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and the imputation of his righteousness upon each of us to cover what we cannot pay - which is nothing.
While the penalty for unrepented sin can include punishment such as excommunication by a church body and the possibility of imprisonment, fines and death when violating a criminal or civil law, no one has means of their own to pay God for life and breath, let alone cancel the debt caused by sinful behavior as God created and owns everyone and everything. Therefore, punishment by God does not cancel or decrease the debt of sin and serves mainly as a deterrent, and faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ alone coupled with repentance is the only possible means of forgiveness.
For someone like me who tends to go beyond the mark and to put more trust in hard work, long hours and in feedback from others than in the worth and life that comes only and most importantly from being a child of God whose spirit dwells in me and loves me as anyone else, the implications of our complete dependence upon God have increased my faith in God. This has helped me to let go of a common reaction to stress by either trying to control every aspect of my life or by giving up and feeling completely defeated at the start of each day.
For someone like me who tends to go beyond the mark and to put more trust in hard work, long hours and in feedback from others than in the worth and life that comes only and most importantly from being a child of God whose spirit dwells in me and loves me as anyone else, the implications of our complete dependence upon God have increased my faith in God. This has helped me to let go of a common reaction to stress by either trying to control every aspect of my life or by giving up and feeling completely defeated at the start of each day.
Jesus
Christ taught that it is enough to deal with the evil of each day, see Matthew 6:34. Jesus said: Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid, see John 14:27. This is in complete
harmony with Buddhist teachings to not be troubled about the past or future
because we cannot control them. We can only live to the best of our ability in
the present moment.
For we are his workmanship ... ~ Ephesians 2:10
I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has
created you from the beginning, and is preserving you
from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may
live and move and do according to your own will, and
even supporting you from one moment to another - I
say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls
yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold,
all that he requires of you is to keep his command-
ments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep
his commandments ye should prosper in the land and
he never doth vary from that which he hath said;
from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may
live and move and do according to your own will, and
even supporting you from one moment to another - I
say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls
yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold,
all that he requires of you is to keep his command-
ments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep
his commandments ye should prosper in the land and
he never doth vary from that which he hath said;
therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth
bless you and prosper you. And now, in the first place,
he hath created you, and granted you your lives, for
which ye are indebted to him. And, secondly, he doth
require that ye should do as he hath commanded you;
for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you;
and therefore hath paid you. And ye are still indebted
unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; there-
fore, of what have ye to boast? ~ Mosiah 2:21-25
We give thee but thine own,
Whate'er the gift may be,
For all we have is thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from thee.
...
May we thy bounties thus
As stewards true receive,
And gladly, as thou blessest us,
To thee our firstfruits give.
...
To comfort and to bless,
To find a balm for woe,
To tend the lone and fatherless
is angels' work below.
...
And we believe thy word,
Tho dim our faith may be,
Whate'er we do for thine, O Lord,
We do it unto thee.
~ Hymns, 218
bless you and prosper you. And now, in the first place,
he hath created you, and granted you your lives, for
which ye are indebted to him. And, secondly, he doth
require that ye should do as he hath commanded you;
for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you;
and therefore hath paid you. And ye are still indebted
unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; there-
fore, of what have ye to boast? ~ Mosiah 2:21-25
We give thee but thine own,
Whate'er the gift may be,
For all we have is thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from thee.
...
May we thy bounties thus
As stewards true receive,
And gladly, as thou blessest us,
To thee our firstfruits give.
...
To comfort and to bless,
To find a balm for woe,
To tend the lone and fatherless
is angels' work below.
...
And we believe thy word,
Tho dim our faith may be,
Whate'er we do for thine, O Lord,
We do it unto thee.
~ Hymns, 218
Only God is good
When a ruler addressed Jesus Christ as “Good Master,” Jesus replied: Why callest me good? none is good, save one, that is, God, see Luke 18:19.
It would be difficult for most to relate to a Savior who had no experience with the things that they are dealing with, and who had no experience with the pain of correction. From Paul, who persecuted and participated in the death of members of the body (Church) of the New Testament of Jesus Christ before he was called to repentance on the road to Emmaus and later became an especial apostle to Gentiles, we learn a most important truth:
Everything good comes from God, and everything that Jesus Christ taught and did was for the glory of God and not for himself. It is fitting and correct for all mankind for whom God provides everything to render glory only to God. To do otherwise would give credit where credit is not due. This is an area in which I could improve. Surely all could rejoice day and night for the great goodness of God and for the firm foundation laid by God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit for the salvation of mankind. They have the power to save all who seek to repent and offer their whole heart, might, mind and strength to God.
I can of mine own self do nothing ... I seek not mine own
will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
~ John 5:30
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
~ Hymns, 242
It would be difficult for most to relate to a Savior who had no experience with the things that they are dealing with, and who had no experience with the pain of correction. From Paul, who persecuted and participated in the death of members of the body (Church) of the New Testament of Jesus Christ before he was called to repentance on the road to Emmaus and later became an especial apostle to Gentiles, we learn a most important truth:
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience
by the things which he suffered;
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation
unto all them that obey him;
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
I can of mine own self do nothing ... I seek not mine own
will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
~ John 5:30
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
~ Hymns, 242
God's work and glory
That the world has survived this long without complete destruction is evidence of a great and powerful God and of numerous hosts
of heaven working within and outside the veil to protect and bring about good
in the world. To preserve agency, there is much that God cannot interfere with. Otherwise, we could not develop the ability to think and act for ourselves, and to overcome adversity.
That the restored Church of Jesus Christ was even established in
a brand new nation conceived in religious liberty, let alone that it survived
tremendous persecution, and that the commencement of the great work of the
gathering of the living and dead of the house of Israel of all dispensations in
holy temples in this final gospel dispensation continues to roll forth and fill
the earth without hands, is evidence of the great power of God and not of the many
imperfect men and women of great faith in God and not in themselves who labored
together to establish Zion. Many of the early pioneers gave all that they had and
started over again and again to assist in laying the foundation of a marvelous
work and a wonder. Only the power of God could have carried them through the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and the severe persecutions of the first
50 years and beyond.
For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to
pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
~ Moses 1:39
For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to
pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
~ Moses 1:39
Liberty for all
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive, 1 Cor. 15:22. Jesus Christ did not save to enslave. He would not have needed to suffer all that he did to enslave anyone because God created and owns everything. Instead, Jesus Christ suffered, bled and died to set everyone free so that all could become as gods, knowing good and evil, learn by their own experience to distinguish between good and evil, and choose to follow either the righteous path leading back to God, or the wicked path leading to a place separated from God.
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then
your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods,
knowing good and evil. ~ Genesis 3:5
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as
one of us, to know good and evil ... ~ Genesis 3:22
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up:
and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on
the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was
delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias [Isaiah].
And when he had opened the book, he found the place
where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the
poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach
the acceptable year of the Lord. ... This day is this scripture
fulfilled in your ears.~ Luke 4:16-17, 21
And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast
done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every
beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust
shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her
seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
~ Genesis 3:14-15
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised
for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon
him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have
gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the
Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ~ Isaiah 53:4-6
one of us, to know good and evil ... ~ Genesis 3:22
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up:
and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on
the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was
delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias [Isaiah].
And when he had opened the book, he found the place
where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the
poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach
the acceptable year of the Lord. ... This day is this scripture
fulfilled in your ears.~ Luke 4:16-17, 21
And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast
done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every
beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust
shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her
seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
~ Genesis 3:14-15
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised
for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon
him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have
gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the
Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ~ Isaiah 53:4-6
Evidence of living faith
Salvation is and must be a gift because no one has means of their own to pay. Therefore, faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ alone and not works is the only way forward. Faith in Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end, the way, the means, the truth, and the life on the path to salvation. We know that faith without evidence of good works is not a living faith, and Martin Luther taught that works that are not for the glory of God alone, instead to make ourselves look good to others or to gain a high position, are useless and vain. Jesus Christ taught: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another, John 13:35.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
~ John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
~ John 14:6
For he saith, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning
and the ending, the Lord who is, and who was, and
who is to come, the Almighty. ~ JST, Revelation 1:8
and the ending, the Lord who is, and who was, and
who is to come, the Almighty. ~ JST, Revelation 1:8
All that we can do
We know that
salvation comes after all that we can do and that the imputed righteousness to us from the atonement of Jesus Christ covers the rest, and yet “all that we can do” is like a tiny
grain of sand or a puff of air as all belongs to God in the first place. While fruits of the spirit such as love, joy, peace, and longsuffering provide evidence of living faith, such fruits cannot pay the price of salvation. It is infinitely mathematically impossible, and all are unprofitable
servants. What better evidence of God’s great love for the children of his
spirit could there be!
While salvation from death requires no allegiance to God, salvation in the kingdom of God must be a choice or there could be no agency and all would be only slaves to God and unable to think and act for themselves. Because one must grow in faith from grace to grace, line upon line, and precept upon precept, the gift of imputed righteousness from Jesus Christ must and does cover all who choose the path of his righteousness from before birth to the end of the journey, see Isaiah 28:13.
The separation between God and mankind from the fall of Adam and Eve caused a terrible gulf that none could breach by themselves. It was necessary, of course, that there be a separation so that the condition of the world could be such as to bring about the salvation of mankind. Continual interference from God would surely make it impossible for mankind to learn many painful and necessary lessons of life by their own experience.
The separation between God and mankind from the fall of Adam and Eve caused a terrible gulf that none could breach by themselves. It was necessary, of course, that there be a separation so that the condition of the world could be such as to bring about the salvation of mankind. Continual interference from God would surely make it impossible for mankind to learn many painful and necessary lessons of life by their own experience.
None can return to God without faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ, which is a faith that grows and is nurtured only by having a personal relationship with God through prayer. God is ready and waiting to help all who ask in faith. Because God must respect individual agency, generally we must ask, or someone must act in our behalf assuming we or they are able to do so. If one wanted to become a great athlete, they would seek help from great athletes and trainers. To become as God so that we may live with him, we need his help and guidance.
For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our child-
ren, 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. ... we are made
alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the
law because of the commandments. ~ 2 Nephi 25:23-25
ren, 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. ... we are made
alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the
law because of the commandments. ~ 2 Nephi 25:23-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-
suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law.
~ Galatians 5:22-23
Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all
things now; ye must grow in grace and in the know-
ledge of the truth. ~ Doctrine and Covenants 93:40
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent. ~ John 17:3
Life is a paradox
Life and death,
happiness and sorrow, good and evil, are compounds and cannot be experienced or
understood without the other. Adam and Eve could only experience all aspects of life by
choosing death. Surely, they and we asked that the cup of sin, pain, sorrow and
death be removed and that another way be provided. There was and is no other
way.
Because Adam and Eve were innocent and trusting as are little children, with no memory of their pre-earth condition or experience to draw upon, it was easy for Satan to deceive and entice them to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
However it was done, the death and accompanying pain and suffering brought about by eating the fruit made it possible for all mankind to experience happiness and joy, and to give birth, whereby the woman created from the rib of Adam became Eve, the mother of all living. In order for the fullness of life to be experienced, which includes death, Adam and Eve were blocked from eating the fruit of the tree of life.
Only sinners need salvation, and the immeasurable and unequaled joy of salvation can only be experienced through failure. Some children of God learn to walk uprightly with ease, while others fall many times yet are stalwart, strong and eager to help others when they succeed.
For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in
all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness,
righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither
wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither
good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be
a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one
body it must needs remain as dead, having no life
neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption,
happiness nor misery, neither sense nor
insensibility. ~ 2 Nephi 2:11
And in that day Adam blessed God and was
Because Adam and Eve were innocent and trusting as are little children, with no memory of their pre-earth condition or experience to draw upon, it was easy for Satan to deceive and entice them to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
However it was done, the death and accompanying pain and suffering brought about by eating the fruit made it possible for all mankind to experience happiness and joy, and to give birth, whereby the woman created from the rib of Adam became Eve, the mother of all living. In order for the fullness of life to be experienced, which includes death, Adam and Eve were blocked from eating the fruit of the tree of life.
Only sinners need salvation, and the immeasurable and unequaled joy of salvation can only be experienced through failure. Some children of God learn to walk uprightly with ease, while others fall many times yet are stalwart, strong and eager to help others when they succeed.
For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in
all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness,
righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither
wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither
good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be
a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one
body it must needs remain as dead, having no life
neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption,
happiness nor misery, neither sense nor
insensibility. ~ 2 Nephi 2:11
And in that day Adam blessed God and was
filled, and began to prophesy concerning all
the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be
the name of God, for because of my trans-
gression my eyes are opened, and in this life
I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall
see God. And Eve, his wife, heard all these
things and was glad, saying: Were it not for
our transgression we never should have had
seed, and never should have known good and
evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the
eternal life which God giveth unto all the
obedient. ~ Moses 5:10-12
Agency and obedience required
To
live in any city, state, or nation of the world the citizens must obey the law
of that place, and it is fitting that any who wish to live with God must obey
the laws of God, see Matthew 7:21. Agency is essential for life to exist, and God will not force
any to live in and obey the laws of his kingdom as that would take away
agency. Therefore, another place is prepared for any who would ultimately seek to destroy
God. In the kingdom of God there are many mansions, degrees and glories, see John 14:2. Some
celestial, some terrestrial, and some telestial, see 1 Cor. 15:40 and Doctrine and Covenants 76. In the kingdom of God all shall be
subject to the laws of God, and they shall be one with God and with each other, see John 17:20-23.
Baptism and confirmation open the gate to celestial glory, and the temple
sealing of fathers and mothers provides access to the highest celestial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 131. Outside the gates of the holy city where God dwells are those that do not abide by the commandments of God. Inside are those that do his commandments Rev. 22:14-15.
Know this, that ev'ry soul is free
To choose his life and what he'll be;
For this eternal truth is giv'n
That God will force no man to heav'n.
...
He'll call, persuade, direct aright,
And bless with wisdom, love, and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind.
...
Freedom and reason make us men,
Take these away, what are we then?
Mere animals, and just as well
The beasts may think of heav'n or hell.
...
May we no more our pow'rs abuse,
But ways of truth and goodness choose.
Our God is pleased when we improve
His grace and seek his perfect love.
First and essential principles
We believe that,
through the atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to
the laws and ordinances of the gospel, Articles of Faith 1:3. It goes without saying that “saved” refers
to the kingdom of God as it is commonly known that none who seek to destroy God will be saved in his kingdom.
We believe that,
through the atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to
the laws and ordinances of the gospel, Articles of Faith 1:3. It goes without saying that “saved” refers
to the kingdom of God as it is commonly known that none who seek to destroy God will be saved in his kingdom.
The first principles and
ordinances of the gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second,
Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth,
Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, Articles of Faith 1:4. The sacrament is a reminder
of the baptismal covenant and the blessings associated with that. The daily acts of faith, prayer, repentance and forgiveness of
self and others, and of service to God in the work of Zion and to those in
need are the wheels of the wagon that move the children of God along the path
to the celestial city. When the wheels are broken or missing, progress is stopped.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power
is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received
the Holy Ghost. ~ Acts 8:17
Our Father who is everywhere,
(God is the creator of all in
heaven and earth, our father,
protector and teacher; his
spirit is present everywhere;
it is he whom we address as
we pray for ourselves and
others.)
Let thy name be set apart,
(We recognize and worship
only God.)
Let thy counsel come ...
(We counsel with God, ask
questions and listen to the
thoughts that come to
mind, and may request
continuing guidance
throughout the day.)
Give us our daily bread ...
(God knows our needs yet
we ask, for food and for all
that is needed to fulfill our
purpose in life, so that
agency is preserved.)
Forgive us our offenses as we
forgive others their offenses.
(We repent: acknowledge
and confess any offense
and request forgiveness,
remembering the obli-
gation to forgive all men
in exchange.)
Let us not enter into temptation,
protect and deliver us from evil.
(When we repent and ask
for help, God will protect,
lead and guide us in the
path of righteousness and
to eventually overcome
all evil desires, line upon
line, precept on precept,
here a little and there a
little, whereby the tree
of life planted by faith
grows and eventually
bears fruit.)
To you we give the honor, praise,
song, and glory forever and ever.
Amen.
(We praise and
acknowledge God's hand
in all things.)
James, the brother of Jesus Christ, taught the following on essential principles:
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father
is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their afflic-
tion, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
King Benjamin taught that we must care for the poor among us, and to do all things with wisdom and order, not running faster than we are able, nor giving more than we have means to give.
And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet
have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean
all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I
would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because
I have not, but if I had I would give. And now, if ye say
this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are
condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet
that which ye have not received ... And see that all these
things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not
requisite that a man should run faster than he has
strength ... ~ Mosiah 4:24-25, 27
The law of love and life
The law of God serves
a vital life-giving purpose. The law protects both the sinner, and the one
sinned against, and teaches mankind how to love as God loves. That all make mistakes
in life has been proven many times over. Solomon wisely said that nothing under
the sun is new, that all works done under the sun is vanity, and that to gain
much wisdom is to know much grief, see Eccl. 1. In his dedication of the temple Solomon’s
prayer presupposed that God’s chosen people would sin against God and entreated
God to forgive them when they repented, see 1 Kings 8:22-61. Those who repent are forgiven,
protected and subject to mercy and grace, and those who refuse to repent are
subject to the demands of justice under the law. Without God’s mercy and grace
coupled with repentance, no one could meet the demands of justice.
For all have sinned and come short of the glory
of God. ~ Romans 3:23
Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever trans-
gresseth against me, him shall ye judge according
to the sins which he has committed; and if he
confess his sin before thee and me, and repenteth in
the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I
will forgive him also. Yea, and as often as my people
repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.
And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses;
for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his
neighbor's trespasses when he says that he repents,
the same hath brought himself under condemnation.
And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about
except an atonement should be made; therefore God
himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about
the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice,
that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful
God also. ~ Alma 42:15
And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and
encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that
exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the
whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto
him that has faith unto repentance is brought about
the great and eternal plan of redemption. ~ Alma 34:16
Seventy times seven: the great goodness of God
The atonement of
Jesus Christ covers all aspects of sin, including addictions. God will forgive
up to seventy times seven, in other words as many times as is needed, and he
will help and protect all who seek him though the flesh is weak. Only God can judge the hearts of men, women and children. To become as God, we
must respect and serve even those who appear to be evil, even those who would hate
and persecute us. The truth is that all have good and evil thoughts and
desires. In that respect all are good, and all are evil. The path to peace and
prosperity is to worship and glorify only God, to respect and seek to serve all, and we
must learn to recognize and nurture good thoughts and desires and ignore or
find other ways to overcome those that are not.
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall
my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till
seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee,
Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
~ Matthew 18:21-22
Ye had heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you,
love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good
to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-
fully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the
children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye
love them which love you, what reward have ye? do
not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your
brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not
even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as
your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
~ Matthew 5:43-48
neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you,
love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good
to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-
fully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the
children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye
love them which love you, what reward have ye? do
not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your
brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not
even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as
your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
~ Matthew 5:43-48
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and
the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faith-
ful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from
the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faith-
ful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned,
Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be as crimson, they shall be as wool
In studying Martin Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms, my understanding was that obedience to commandments is an essential aspect of Christian living and not optional, and that the fruits of faith are cultivated and grow when tended and nourished over time as a tree is nourished. Any who think themselves fully grown could review Luther’s detailed description of the commandments of the Bible that are in the Small and Large Catechisms. Another good resource for a detailed description of the commandments is The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball.
In studying Martin Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms, my understanding was that obedience to commandments is an essential aspect of Christian living and not optional, and that the fruits of faith are cultivated and grow when tended and nourished over time as a tree is nourished. Any who think themselves fully grown could review Luther’s detailed description of the commandments of the Bible that are in the Small and Large Catechisms. Another good resource for a detailed description of the commandments is The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball.
If you think that you are a lost cause, you are in a great company of travelers with the same predicament, because everyone has or will be deceived unto sin with no means of their own to pay. Therefore, all are lost without the atonement of Jesus Christ. God surely wants and has the means to save all, if they so choose and but turn to him for help. All have gifts, and all have weaknesses, see 1 Cor. 12:7-14, Ether 12:27. Ask, knock, seek, and he shall be found, see Matthew 7:7, 1 Chron. 28:9. He is mighty to save and protect, see Alma 34:18. Though you are the weakest of the weak and though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, see Isaiah 1:18. That is what the scriptures teach.
What greater evidence of God's great power to save can be found than that of Cain, who, like Adam and Eve, was deceived by Satan. Satan preyed upon the weakness of Cain to tempt him to kill Abel. When confronted, Cain told the Lord that Satan had tempted him. In order to avoid being killed by others, Cain received a mark to warn others that anyone who killed Cain would receive sevenfold vengence, see Genesis 4:15. Cain built a city to the east of Eden called Enoch, meaning dedicated. Among Cain's progeny were tent dwellers and keepers of cattle. Some were highly skilled artificers of brass and iron, and some played the harp and organ.
Rabbinical literature suggests two different outcomes for Cain. The first, that the mark of Cain was a token of forgiveness and his crime was finally atoned for when he met death by the arrow of his great-grandson who mistook him for a wild beast in the distance and shot him. The second, that Cain was a lawless rebel, and the first of those who have no share in the world to come. Evidence of Cain's repentance is: there is no record that Cain continued to murder, and God protected Cain. Though Cain lived after killing Abel, as did king David after arranging the innocent death of Uriah the Hittite (husband of Bathsheba), he was never at peace thereafter. The arrow that killed Cain ended his mortal suffering but could not atone for his sin as: only the sacrifice of the body and blood Jesus Christ can atone for sin, and the arrow could not pay the debt of Cain's sin as: Cain was not only given the opportunity to continue to live, but also to marry and have children, and Abel had no wife or children.
While the sin of Cain brought about the early death of one man, Adam's sin brought about the innocent death of all mankind. One could even say: like father, like son. If Adam was forgiven and protected after he repented, Cain most assuredly could have been forgiven had he repented. That all are deceived in life and sin is a given. The mark of the righteous is one of repentance. The great merit of the atonement is that it covers even the vilest of sin for one who repents. Of what use would it be otherwise, as any without sin do not need the gift of atonement. Satan, of course, would have mankind believe either that: there is no coming back from sin, or there is no sin and no punishment (or only a little pain). Both are a lie.
In each generation of mankind, Satan preys upon the weaknesses inherent in the human condition to deceive and cause them to sin. When anyone sins without repentance, God cannot protect. If he did, the agency to choose would become void, and his word would mean nothing.What greater evidence of God's great power to save can be found than that of Cain, who, like Adam and Eve, was deceived by Satan. Satan preyed upon the weakness of Cain to tempt him to kill Abel. When confronted, Cain told the Lord that Satan had tempted him. In order to avoid being killed by others, Cain received a mark to warn others that anyone who killed Cain would receive sevenfold vengence, see Genesis 4:15. Cain built a city to the east of Eden called Enoch, meaning dedicated. Among Cain's progeny were tent dwellers and keepers of cattle. Some were highly skilled artificers of brass and iron, and some played the harp and organ.
Rabbinical literature suggests two different outcomes for Cain. The first, that the mark of Cain was a token of forgiveness and his crime was finally atoned for when he met death by the arrow of his great-grandson who mistook him for a wild beast in the distance and shot him. The second, that Cain was a lawless rebel, and the first of those who have no share in the world to come. Evidence of Cain's repentance is: there is no record that Cain continued to murder, and God protected Cain. Though Cain lived after killing Abel, as did king David after arranging the innocent death of Uriah the Hittite (husband of Bathsheba), he was never at peace thereafter. The arrow that killed Cain ended his mortal suffering but could not atone for his sin as: only the sacrifice of the body and blood Jesus Christ can atone for sin, and the arrow could not pay the debt of Cain's sin as: Cain was not only given the opportunity to continue to live, but also to marry and have children, and Abel had no wife or children.
While the sin of Cain brought about the early death of one man, Adam's sin brought about the innocent death of all mankind. One could even say: like father, like son. If Adam was forgiven and protected after he repented, Cain most assuredly could have been forgiven had he repented. That all are deceived in life and sin is a given. The mark of the righteous is one of repentance. The great merit of the atonement is that it covers even the vilest of sin for one who repents. Of what use would it be otherwise, as any without sin do not need the gift of atonement. Satan, of course, would have mankind believe either that: there is no coming back from sin, or there is no sin and no punishment (or only a little pain). Both are a lie.
What God values most
When the
disciples of Jesus Christ argued about which of them was greatest, Jesus Christ
taught that those who serve the least of men on earth are highest in the
kingdom of God, see Luke 9:46-48. Priesthood position and worldly riches are not important to
God. Neither does he regard himself to be above serving others in any manner,
such as the washing of the feet of the disciples by Jesus Christ.
Surely those who give birth to, serve and nurture children (who are the least able and most vulnerable among men) are among those held in highest esteem in the kingdom of God. None are esteemed higher by God than goodly fathers and mothers, whether biological parents or otherwise, extended family members, and non-family members who respect, teach, nurture and train children in the ways of Godly love. As such, the command to honor parents, who seek to follow and teach their children about God yet are subject to human weakness, is second only to the commandments concerning our relationship with God.
Further evidence of God’s high esteem of goodly parents is The Family: A Proclamation to the World, and the even greater focus on and scriptural support that families will receive through the new home study program of the Church of Jesus Christ starting in 2019.
Another evidence of God’s high regard for goodly fathers and mothers is that their sealing in holy temples of God provides access to the highest celestial glory. Those who abuse or neglect children shall suffer to such a degree that it would be better that they were dead, see Luke 17:1-2.
Surely those who give birth to, serve and nurture children (who are the least able and most vulnerable among men) are among those held in highest esteem in the kingdom of God. None are esteemed higher by God than goodly fathers and mothers, whether biological parents or otherwise, extended family members, and non-family members who respect, teach, nurture and train children in the ways of Godly love. As such, the command to honor parents, who seek to follow and teach their children about God yet are subject to human weakness, is second only to the commandments concerning our relationship with God.
Further evidence of God’s high esteem of goodly parents is The Family: A Proclamation to the World, and the even greater focus on and scriptural support that families will receive through the new home study program of the Church of Jesus Christ starting in 2019.
Another evidence of God’s high regard for goodly fathers and mothers is that their sealing in holy temples of God provides access to the highest celestial glory. Those who abuse or neglect children shall suffer to such a degree that it would be better that they were dead, see Luke 17:1-2.
This is what I learned when prayerfully studying the doctrine of the gift of salvation and justification through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is abundantly clear to me that this doctrine is in harmony with the teachings of the restored Church of Jesus Christ including the Articles of Faith. Martin Luther’s mastery of scripture is very apparent in his writings, and I’m grateful for his humble, courageous, dedicated and faithful service to and for the glory of God alone and to the cause of truth, as evidenced by his willingness to forfeit his own life if necessary in that service.
A mighty fortress is our God,
A tower of strength ne'er failing.
A helper mighty is our God,
O'er ills of life prevailing.
He overcometh all.
He saveth from the Fall.
His might and pow'r are great.
He all things did create.
And he shall reign for evermore.
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About the author
About the author
I am a member of the restored
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and now in what some cultures of
the world would describe as the “sage” period of life, having concluded the
childbearing years.
My interest in scripture
study began in my early childbearing years, though I am not anywhere close to an
expert on scripture or religion. In the beginning I read all the standard works
and corresponding institute of religion manuals of the Church of Jesus Christ.
The purpose of my study at that time was to gain a good solid overview or foundation and not
to become an expert. Even though my knowledge is but a quiver compared to those who are highly educated in religious
studies, it is a start. The great beauty and order of creation, and the multitude of testimonies recorded in scripture and by living prophets, apostles, men, women and children concerning God, the
father of the spirits of all mankind, Jesus Christ, his only begotten son in the
flesh, and the Holy Spirit, who dwells within the breast, is enough evidence for a tiny grain of sand like me to believe,
to trust and to continue to seek and nurture the seeds of faith that lead one back
to the presence of and association with these gods.
One paradox of life is
that true wisdom and understanding can only be gained by experience. Therefore,
it seems that most wisdom that we receive is after the fact, and often after
much failure and repetition. Hence the saying “We all have 20/20 hindsight.” Often I have wondered why God didn't tell me to do or not to do something that caused much pain, yet would I have believed that it would, and how else would I know that fire is hot and pain is real. I
used to wonder how that could possibly be fair but must concede that the
greatest lessons learned have been through trials and failures, and they are
sure to continue throughout life both for the righteous and for those who turn
away from God. A quote found recently seems to sum up the family of God in a
nutshell: “A perfect family is just imperfect people who refuse to give up on
each other.”
In this season of life, I
have a strong desire to seek out common threads among the great religions and
philosophies of the world. The knowledge and records of the ages available at
our fingertips on the internet is astounding. Though all philosophies pale in
comparison with the doctrines of salvation taught and exemplified by Jesus
Christ and the new gospel dispensation of revelation that commenced in the restoration
of the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter day, there are wonderful, life-giving,
profound and praiseworthy teachings to be found in all and much evidence of the great respect that God has for all mankind, and for all creation.
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