Marion G. Romney, Harold B. Lee, and Hartman Rector, Jr. on 2 Nephi 25:23

 2 Nephi 25:23 is often wrenched out of context by Evangelical critics of the Church. For refutations of this naive "raw works righteousness" view, see:

The Anti-Pelagian Soteriology of 1 and 2 Nephi

Bringing forth works worthy of repentance and "After all we can do"

James Stutz, “After All We Can Do” as a reference to the Law of Moses 

One should also consider the following from previous General Conferences:

 

Marion G. Romney

 

And so I repeat, I am grateful for my Redeemer, grateful that he paid the debt and brought about the means of repentance so that by repenting of my transgressions I can bring my soul within the reach of his atoning blood and thereby be cleansed of sin; for, after all, it is by the grace of Christ that men are saved, after all they can do. The thing they can and must do is repent. I love the doctrine of repentance. (October 1955, p. 124)

 

Harold B. Lee

 

When you think about it there is so much promised in the gospel for so little required on our part; for example, the ordinance of baptism is given us for the remission of sins, for entrance into the kingdom -- a new birth; the gift of the Holy Ghost gives us the right to companionship with one of the Godhead; administration to the sick, qualifies the individual with faith for a special blessing; by paying our tithing, the windows of heaven may be opened unto us; by fasting and by paying our fast offerings, we are told that then we might call on the Lord and he will hear our cry and our call; celestial marriage promises us that family life will exist beyond the grave. But all of these blessings are ours on one condition, and this is spoken of by Nephi, when he said:

 

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, [but mark you this condition,] after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25:23. Italics added.)

 

The Master did not directly answer that question, "Are there few that be saved?" But he answered, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate." Strive means to struggle in opposition or contention, to contend, to battle for or against a person or a thing opposed, to strive as against temptation, and to strive for truth. (April 1956, pp. 111-12)

 

Hartman Rector, Jr.

 

The prophet Mormon stated very plainly what I like to call the qualification for the performance of miracles. It is recorded in 3 Nephi, the eighth chapter, and the fifth verse: "And nod it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record -- for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity."

 

So this is the qualification: we must be cleansed every whit from our iniquity. When I first read this passage of scripture, I felt to say "Hurray for repentance!" for if it were not for repentance, there would be no miracles performed.

 

But repentance is granted unto man by the Lord. I am convinced that repentance is about 90 percent from the Lord and about 10 percent from man. Nephi goes still further and says, for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Ne. 25:23.) However, man's part is the most urgent and vital part because it must be first, and full, and sincere. An ancient Hebrew writing declares, "There must be a stirring below before there is a stirring above." This means that repentance must begin with us, with mortals. Many times we say we are waiting on the Lord, when as a matter of fact, the Lord is waiting on us.

 

"By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins -- behold, he will confess them and forsake them." (D&C 58:43.)

 

When this happens, the Lord forgives and doth immediately bless him. How gracious and kind he is. I bear testimony to you, my brothers and sisters, that God, our Heavenly Father, does live, and that he hears and answers our prayers. I bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ and that he lives. I know he lives, and that he has made possible the forgiveness of sins to those who come unto him through repentance, that through repentance and obedience he turns our weaknesses into strengths, and the time is now. (April 1970, p. 103)