Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Doctrine and Covenants versus Pelagianism

For those who charge "Mormonism" with an unbiblical "works-righteousness" soteriology, I would suggest one read an early revelation of the Prophet Joseph Smith (dated July 1828):

And that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of the faiths, and that they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the meirts of Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved. Amen. (D&C 3:20; emphasis added)

Yes, Latter-day Saints reject Sola Fide, and for good reason--it is false (cf. James 2:22-24; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26; 2 Cor 5:10; John 5:24-29, etc). However, that is not the same as holding to a legalistic soteriology, though that is the false dichotomy many (typically, Evangelical Protestant) critics engage in.

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