The Mormon perspective on the Faith vs. Works controversy.?

Question

Share your opinion! Please read article! Do you agree with this article?: "Tough Topics: Are You Saved by Grace or Works?" Link: http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=c06585f10e6fb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

Answer 1

Yes, I love every talk Elder Oaks has given, and I miss our other apostolic scholars who have been called home in recent years (i.e., Elder McConkie, Elder Maxwell). The logic and practicality of each of his talks shines brightly through, leaving no doubt left about any topic that he addresses.

If any of you have iPods, I recommend that you download many of the 1,048 MP3 files and 3 video files from speeches.byu.edu to complement the video and audio files that you probably already have downloaded onto your computers from the lds.org media library. It’s a great way to spend a lunch or commute to/from work/school if you’re not busy talking with others, which of course is also important.

I hope this type of media takes precedence in more LDS homes over TV—besides the excellent streaming of byu.tv

I also recommend subscriptions on gospelink.com and maxwellinstitute.byu.edu if you can afford them, to complement the PDF files already downloaded from lds.org and speeches.byu.edu

As someone else has mentioned, it is interesting how the Mormon-bashers haven’t had anything to say yet, as you know they definitely have been trolling and would have read the article for tidbits to attack. I suspect that evangelical Christians may have been put in their place after reading Elder Oaks’ words, and that only anti-religion trolls would venture to say anything in response.

Answer 2

What Paul is attempting to assert is that works -with out faith- are no longer likely to get your value value tag punched. Sts. P & J communicate with the two works and faith by fact -as Paul could agree- in case you have the religion, you will do the works. That leaves open the prospect that there are people who DO have the religion yet for regardless of reason isn't waiting to do the works; somebody in a death mattress conversion possibly, or possibly somebody who's very handicapped. No massive deal stunning right here.

Answer 3

What a fantastic article. Absolutely agree 100%.

What I always had trouble with was Evangelicals who say "once saved, always saved" - you make a confession of faith and then it doesn't matter what you do, your salvation is guaranteed. Clearly that's not true. Elder Oaks has really hit the nail on the head.

Answer 4

We receive God’s grace because of the Atonement. We can’t raise ourselves from the dead, so the Resurrection is an example of His grace. We can’t purify ourselves from sin, so the Lord’s forgiveness is another example of grace. But before He will forgive us, we must repent—that’s our part, our works.

from the article, there should be no controversy, grace and works are both necessary

Answer 5

Arthur, you answered your own good question.

All work in the Church is predicated upon faith,knowledge and work.

WE must press forward, with steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness and hope, and a love of God and of all humans.

Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ works 24/7 to help us get saved, through your work.

Answer 6

The article is perfect as can be shown by the lack of negative responses.

Answer 7

Yes, it is completely in alignment with my understanding of how the Lord works with and through us.
~Got to love Elder Oaks.

Answer 8

"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."
(see 2 Ne. 25:23)

Can it be any clearer? As Christians, we must do all that we can do, but it is still Savior's grace that saves us.

Answer 9

I'm enjoying the silence that exists when Mormon bashers have nothing to say.

Answer 10

I think this one sentence really says it all.
"While these works are necessary for salvation, they aren’t sufficient".

Great article.