Achieving Perfection the Lord's Way

"For as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7) This is a true statement because our desires shape our actions, and our actions shape who we become. Therefore the greatest desire we can have is to emulate the life of Jesus Christ.

As Latter-day Saint Christians (Mormons) we take the Savior's charge to be perfect seriously (see Matt. 5:48 & 3 Nephi 12:48). However, we also acknowledge that on our own this commandment is impossible. Only through the Saviors help can we accomplish such a grand feat. However, being perfect is not an instantaneous occurrance; it is a process.

Christ's Grace is Sufficient!

Many people have misconceptions about the Latter-day saints (mormons) understanding of grace. The root of this stems from the truth that "faith without works is dead" (see James 2:17,20). They often feel that we are trying to earn our way to heaven by our works, rather than relying upon Christ's grace.

I have found that I am not the only one that has encountered this before. Brad, another Christian Latter-day Saint, had the following conversation with one of his Christian friends that I have decided to share with you today because I feel it sheds light on this common misunderstanding...

Christian friend: "You Mormons are trying to earn your way to heaven."

Brad: "No, we are not earning our way to heaven. We are learning heaven. We are preparing for it. We are practicing for it."

Christian Friend: "Well, have you been saved by grace?"

Brad: "Yes. Absolutely, totally, completely, thankfully-- yes! Have you been changed by grace?"

He later commented that often, "[others] are so excited about being saved that maybe they are not thinking enough about what comes next. They are so happy the debt is paid that they may not have considered why the debt existed in the first place. Latter-day Saints know not only what Jesus has saved us from but also what He has saved us for."