Salvation
What does the Bible teach about Salvation?
God has given us salvation based on Jesus’ work. All believers are guaranteed the forgiveness of sins and eternal life in God's presence. Salvation includes both the resurrection of the body and the restoration of our relationship with God.
Salvation, literally "being saved," is God's rescue of sinners. Salvation is not a plan we must follow. Instead, it refers to the freedom won by Jesus' saving work. Salvation is deliverance from physical death, sin, AND eternal death. Since salvation is complete, believers have full confidence they are forgiven of their sins and will live eternally with God.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Revelation 21:3
What does Mormonism teach about Salvation?
Mormonism teaches that God has given a plan of salvation. This plan demands that Mormons earn their position in eternal life. For most Mormons, salvation is equivalent only to physical resurrection, which is the only free gift in Mormonism. Many Mormons say they believe they are saved by Jesus alone, but what they mean is they don't have to do anything to gain resurrection for their bodies.
When it comes to salvation from sin, Mormonism teaches:
You will not be completely saved from sin until you have finished your life on the earth, having faithfully endured to the end. Note that you cannot be saved in your sins; you cannot receive unconditional salvation simply by declaring your belief in Christ with the understanding that you will inevitably commit sins through the rest of your life. Through the grace of God, you can be saved from your sins. To receive this blessing, you must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, strive to keep the commandments, forsake sin, and renew your repentance and cleansing through the ordinance of the sacrament.
True to the Faith, Pages 151-152
For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
2 Nephi 25:23 (Book of Mormon)
What a burden to bear!
Since salvation depends on "ALL we can do," Mormons are never certain of it.
Why This Matters
According to the LDS plan of salvation, a person might say, “Jesus made my resurrection possible, but it’s up to me to qualify for exaltation.” This teaching leaves many anxious, always wondering if they’ve done enough. In contrast, the Bible offers assurance: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36); note the emphasized present tense. Christians rest in the certainty that Jesus’ work is enough, period. Those who trust in Jesus obey God out of gratitude, not to qualify for heaven.
The stakes are high: if we trust in a different Jesus or a different gospel, the Bible warns we cannot be saved (see Galatians 1:8). We mention this soberly and with love because we want our Mormon friends to be with God forever. A gospel that begins with Jesus but then points us back to our own efforts cannot deliver the eternal life it promises. Only trusting completely in Jesus’ finished work, with no added requirements, leads to eternal life with God.
Ask yourself: if you were drowning and someone rescued you, did you “qualify for” that rescue by not fighting it? Of course not – you simply trusted your rescuer. That’s how biblical salvation works: Jesus does all the saving; our role is to trust him. By contrast, the LDS approach is more like being handed a lifeboat manual and told to paddle hard—Jesus might have built the boat, but you must row it ashore.
Mormon scripture and leaders make it clear that salvation to them is a combination of Jesus and one’s own effort. However, the Bible emphatically states that Jesus’ part is 100%, and our works contribute 0% to the acquisition of the gift of eternal life.
Scripture References
John 3:17
Ephesians 1:7
Ephesians 2:8-9
Hebrews 9:26
Revelation 21:3
John 3:16
John 19:30
Romans 6:23
1 Corinthians 15:22
Summary
Christianity
God has given us salvation as a free gift.
Mormonism
God has given a plan of salvation. We must work the plan.