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."

As another Christian stated: "A life impacted by grace eventually begins to look like Christ's life."

Moroni, a prophet of God, once put it -- grace isn't just about being saved. It is also about becoming more like the Savior (see Moroni 7:48). For me, that is what Christ's Grace is all about!

Jesus Christ asks us to show faith in Him, repent, make and keep covenants (promises with God), receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. By complying, we are not paying the demands of justice-- not even the smallest part. Instead, we are showing appreciation for what Jesus Christ did by using it to live a life like His. Justice requires immediate perfection or a punishment when we fall short. Because Jesus took that punishment, He can offer us the chance for ultimate perfection (see Matthew 5:48 & 3 Nephi 12:48) and help us reach that goal. He can forgive what justice never could, and He can turn to us with His own set of requirements (first sentance of this paragraph).