Lesson Three: The Gospel of Jesus Christ

When LDS missionaries talk about the gospel, they’re not talking about the same message most Christians associate with that word. In Latter-day Saint teaching, the gospel is not primarily the good news of what Jesus has done; instead, it’s a process you must follow to become worthy of God’s greatest blessings.

Missionaries may summarize the gospel with five principles and ordinances: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. These are presented as steps along a path toward peace in this life and exaltation in the life to come.

Let’s look at each step and how it compares with the gospel revealed in the Bible.

Faith in Jesus Christ

LDS missionaries often describe faith as both belief and action. They may say that true faith means following Jesus and doing the things he asks you to do. This can sound very biblical at first, but the focus quickly shifts from trust in what Jesus did to proof through what you do.

In the Bible, faith is not about performance—it’s about resting in Jesus’ completed work on the cross. Ephesians 2:8–9 says we are saved by grace through faith, “not by works, so that no one can boast.” You might say something like:

“For me, faith isn’t climbing a ladder to God. It’s trusting that Jesus has already brought me to him. What does faith mean to you?”

Repentance

Although repentance is certainly part of the Christian life, in LDS teaching, repentance is more than turning to God. It’s a step-by-step process of self-improvement. It’s described as recognizing sin, feeling sorrow, confessing, making restitution, and abandoning the sin entirely. The focus is on proving your repentance through action.

But biblical repentance is not about completing steps to earn forgiveness. It’s about turning from sin and trusting in Jesus, who already paid the price for our sins. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” The focus isn’t on our efforts but on Christ’s finished work.

You might ask,

“Do you believe forgiveness comes because of what Jesus did or because of how well you repent?” or “What if someone keeps struggling with the same sin? Can they still be sure they’re forgiven?”

Their responses can reveal how heavy the burden of repentance feels and open the door to sharing the peace found in Jesus, who has already carried that weight for us.

Baptism

In Mormonism, baptism by immersion and with the proper LDS authority is a required step to receive forgiveness and be “born again.” It emphasizes making a covenant to keep God’s commandments and stay faithful. Baptism is more about showing commitment and proving worthiness than receiving God’s gifts.

In the Bible, baptism is God’s gift to us, a means through which he washes away sins and unites us with Christ (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3–4, Titus 3:5). It’s not our promise to God but his promise to us grounded in Jesus’ completed work.

If you want to talk about baptism with your missionaries, you might ask,

“What do you believe baptism accomplishes?” or “Do you see baptism as a promise you make to God or a promise he makes to you?”

You could also say, “For me, baptism is God’s assurance that Jesus did everything to make me his. It’s a gift, not a task.”

Receiving the Holy Ghost

Missionaries may say that the Holy Ghost is received only after baptism and confirmation by priesthood authority. They describe the Holy Ghost as a guide who can be lost if you become unworthy.

But the Bible says the Holy Spirit is given immediately to everyone who believes the gospel (Ephesians 1:13–14). He’s not a reward for obedience but a guarantee of God’s faithfulness, not ours.

You could say:

“I take comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit stays with me because of what Jesus has done, not because I always get it right.”

Enduring to the End

LDS missionaries will likely say that to receive eternal life, we must endure to the end, remaining faithful and obedient throughout life. In this view, eternal life is something earned by lifelong commitment.

But the Bible speaks of eternal life as a present possession. Jesus said, “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life” (John 5:24). It’s not something we hope to earn; it’s something we receive through faith.

You might ask:

“How do you find the confidence to endure to the end? Is it based on what you do or what Jesus has already done?”

You can read through LDS teaching materials on the Gospel of Jesus Christ here: Lesson 3.

A Different Kind of Gospel

The LDS version of the gospel ultimately is not good news. It’s a list of requirements to fulfill in the hope of receiving forgiveness and exaltation. The biblical gospel, by contrast, is the announcement that Jesus has already fulfilled everything we need for eternal life with God.

As you speak with the missionaries, you don’t need to debate every step. Instead, listen closely. Be curious. Gently ask questions that lead them to reflect. Above all, point them back to the finished work of Christ—the good news that Jesus is enough.