In an editorial in the December 1897 issue of The Improvement Era (so it was written either by Joseph F. Smith or B.H. Roberts), we find the following explanation of Eph 2:1, 8-9, showing that "old fashioned Mormonism" is pretty much more God-centered than how many (esp. Protestant anti-Mormons) paint it to be:
That salvation does
come by and through the grace of God, and not by the works of man, is a true
doctrine. Who instituted the plan of salvation which we know as the gospel?
Man? no; God was its author. Did God establish it because the works of man had
purchased it? No, but God out of his great love for man that he might save him,
founded the gospel. Hence it is by the grace of God that we have the gospel,
and since it is through the gospel that we obtain salvation, it is consistent
for the apostle to say "by grace are ye saved * * * it is the gift of
God."
If anyone were to ask
whence we received our temporal blessings, such as food, raiment and
habitations, a believer in God and his providence would say, "by grace are
ye fed and clothed--not of works lest any man should boast--it is the gift of
God." And that would be true, because God created the earth. He implanted
the spirit of life in the vegetable and animal kingdoms from which man obtains
his food and clothing. But how do men make this grace of God available to
themselves? The answer is, through their industry. Men plow the fields, plant
the grain, keep down the weeds and give vegetables and grains a chance to grow.
They gather the vegetables, they harvest the grain and put it into storehoues,
and the amount they garner depends upon their industry--upon their works. Men
delve into the very bowels of the earth and bring from their hiding places the
treasures of silver and gold, and precious stones; the oils and coal and iron.
Commerce spreads her white sails on every sea, and exchanges the fruits of one
climate for the products of another, until land partakes of the blessings of
all. Cotton and wool, and the shining thread of the silk worm, man's ingenuity
and industry converts into fabrics to clothe his body and adorn his home; and
by industry "plenty leaps to laughing life, with her redundant horn."
But it is the grace of God that gave the earth and put into it the principle of
life; that in the seams of the rugged rocks stored gold and silver, filled earth's
crust with oils and coal and iron; and gave wool and cotton and silk for
fabrics. SO that in the last analysis of it, the grace of God makes man's
industry fruitful.
Now, if one thinking
only of the native richness of soil, the proper temperature and moistness of
climate, the mysterious principle of life planted by the creator in the
earth--were to say of men inhabiting some favored country: "These men
prosper by the grace of God--not of themselves--their prosperity is the gift of
God," would he be far from the truth? We think not. IF another, regarding
only the industry of the community were to say: "This community owes its
prosperity to its intelligent industry," and should add--"by their
works they are made prosperous," would he be far wrong? We think not. But
the proper statement would be--the whole truth would be--by the grace of
God these men are prosperous through their industry.
So with the gospel.
It is through the love and grace of God that the plan of salvation was wrought
out, hence by grace men are saved; but it is only through faith which leads to
obedience to God that men can avail themselves of that grace.
In another way, too,
men are helped to salvation by grace. To those who from the heart obey the
gospel, the Holy Ghost is freely given. By which some of God's strength is
imparted to man; by which, and only by which, he can hope to overcome the evil
passions of his nature, and gain a victory over the world, the flesh and the
devil. When the operation of this grace is taken into account, as well as that
already considered, it will be thought, doubtless, that grace in comparison of
works, in bringing to pass the salvation of men, preponderates. But however
small the part of works may seem to be, it is a part, nevertheless, essential to
man's salvation. Works cannot be omitted; and hence works, that is, man's
obedience to the ordinances of the gospel, and thereafter righteousness of
life, are essential to salvation. That obedience to the laws and ordinances of
the gospel brings man within the influence of God's grace and unto salvation.
St. Paul is right,
then, when he says: "By grace are ye saved through faith." And yet
St. James is right when he says, "By works a man is justified, and not by
faith only;" for it is through a union of the grace of God and the
faithful obedience of man that he at last shall see salvation. ("Editor's
Table: By Grace Are Ye Saved," Improvement Era, volume 1 no. 2
[December 1897]:129-31. My thanks to my friend Braxton Bogard for making me
aware of this article)