Mormonism and the Family Part 5

101 for teams is a valuable resource for anyone wanting a simplified view of the Mormon religion from a Christian perspective woman is 101 for teams is available at the Utah lighthouse bookstore in Salt Lake City or MRM.org .1 examines the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from a biblical perspective viewpoint on Mormonism is sponsored by Mormonism research ministry since 1979 Mormonism research ministry has been dedicated to equipping the body of Christ with answers regarding the Christian faith in a manner that expresses gentleness and respect. And now, your host for today's viewpoint on Mormonism. So glad you could be with us for this edition of viewpoint on Mormonism. I'm your host, Bill McKeever, founder and director Mormonism research ministry and with me today is Eric Johnson. My colleague at MRM this week we've been looking at some statements by Henry B. Irene, a second counselor in the first presidency regarding the importance of Latter Day Saints to be worthy enough in the hope of being with their families for eternity were going to continue that thought by looking at another talk that was given in the same general conference and this would be the April 2021 Gen. conference and these talks can be found in the May 2021.

Addition of the Leona magazine the Leona magazine has replaced the enzyme magazine as being the magazine for adult members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We're looking today at a talk given by Pres. Dallen H.

Oakes. He is the first counselor in the first presidency he gave a talk titled what has our Savior done for us and then there's a pull quote and were going to discuss this poor quote because just as we have a problem with the pull quote in Henry B. Eyring's talk that is found in this edition of Leona magazine. I have a problem with this one as well.

The pull quote underneath Dallen Oaks title is Jesus Christ has done everything that is essential for our journey through mortality toward the destiny outlined in the plan of our heavenly father so that were not accused of taking the statement out of context. Were going to read for you. The first paragraph and 1/2.

That includes this particular pull quote in a Saturday evening meeting at a stake conference. Many years ago I met a woman who said her friends had asked her to come back to church after many years of inactivity, but she could not think of any reason why she should to encourage her. I said when you consider all the things the Savior is done for you.

You have many reasons to come back to worship and serve him. I was astonished when she replied what's he done for me.

What is Jesus Christ done for each of us. He has done everything that is essential for our journey through mortality toward the destiny outlined in the plan of our heavenly father. Now if Ellen Oakes had in his mind when he made that statement.

The idea of resurrection from the dead, which would be as so Mormon leaders of said salvation by grace.

In other words, it doesn't matter what you believe. Doesn't matter what you've done every human being ever born on earth is going to be resurrected from the dead, and this would be considered salvation by grace. However, if Dallen Oaks was really implying that Jesus has done everything that is essential for your exultation in the celestial kingdom as it is understood by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I would say that that statement is false. I don't see too many Latter Day Saints driving around in cars with bumper stickers that say Jesus is enough evangelical Christians absolutely Latter Day Saints.

Not hardly.

Why because they know that in order to receive exultation. It's not only important that they are resurrected from the dead.

That's a given. But they also must include a lifetime of faithfulness to the laws and ordinances of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There is no escaping this. And as we have been showing throughout this series. It is certainly contingent upon this life of faithfulness and Oakes actually agrees with that in this talk. He goes on to say because we believe the Bible and book of Mormon descriptions of the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ. We also accept the numerous scriptural teaching that a similar resurrection will come to all mortals who ever lived upon this earth.

As Jesus taught, because I live, you shall live also. Citing from John 1419, and his apostle taught that the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, citing from first Corinthians 1552 and 54. Notice he doesn't site where Jesus said there are two resurrections one to eternal life, and one to eternal damnation.

That passage seems to be overlooked. If there is the opportunity of being resurrected unto damnation, then how can you say it all.

Consistency that being resurrected from the dead is salvation by grace you can't you just can't do that. He goes on, but the resurrection gives us more than this assurance of immortality. It changes the way we view mortal life. The resurrection gives us the perspective and the strength to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and those we love. It gives us a new way to view the physical, mental, or emotional deficiencies we have at birth or acquired during mortal life. It gives us the strength to endure sorrows failures and frustrations because each of us hasn't assured resurrection.

We know that these mortal deficiencies and oppositions are only temporary, though.

Notice what he said and he clarifies it here because each of us hasn't assured resurrection. We know that these mortal deficiencies and oppositions are only temporary.

Notice he doesn't say because each of us hasn't assured exultation. You see, that's not assured. That's only assured if you're doing everything you're supposed to be doing and that would be in accordance with doctrine and covenants section 1, verse 32 that says in order to receive forgiveness of sins you must repent and keep the commandments. And as we discussed many times on this show.

The definition of repentance. According to Mormonism in section 5843 is to not just merely confess your sin, you must also forsake your sin and Mormon leaders have been very clear to say that you must forsake that sin permanently never to repeat that sin again. If that's the case, can you honestly say that Dallen Oaks comment where he says Jesus has done everything that is essential for our journey through mortality toward the destiny outlined in the plan of our heavenly father is a correct statement I would challenge that not if he's talking about exultation that certainly cannot be true. Listen carefully to the next two paragraphs of this talk, the resurrection also gives us a powerful incentive to keep the commandments of God during our mortal lives. When we rise from the dead and proceed to our prophesied final judgment we want to have qualified for the choicest blessings promised to resurrected beings. In addition, the promise that the resurrection can include an opportunity to be with our family members, husband, wife, children, parents and posterity is a powerful encouragement to fulfill our family responsibilities immortality.

We heard a lot about family. We were looking at the Henry B. Eyring's conference message. Here we go again. In fact, this is a theme bill throughout this entire April 2021 Gen. conference. The temples very much emphasized and families being together forever. And if you are hope and desire is to be with your family for ever. Then you can see why talks like this would be an incentive to be doing what you should be doing. You should be going to the temple. You should be doing work on behalf of the dead. You should be living up to the standards that they believe God has set forth for members of the only true church on earth as they understand their church to be because if you want to be with your husband, wife, children, parents, your posterity, then you need to do something about that. That has not been guaranteed by Jesus, so Jesus Christ has not done everything that is essential if that's the journey you are taking as a member of the LDS church. He goes on to say that it also prepares us with the courage and dignity to face our own death, even at death that might be called premature. Let's think about that for a minute if there are all these things that a member of the church must do in order to achieve these promises that a been laid out in just the two talks that we have covered this week. Does that really give the average member of the church, the courage and dignity to face their own death.

Let's say for a moment I was to take a survey at any retirement community here in the state of Utah, and I was to go to each room talking to the residents living in those retirement communities that I were to ask them do you feel that when death comes to you. You will be able to face it with courage and dignity.

Let me also add with an assurance that you're going to get the best your religion is offering you as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Do you really think that if the requirement includes repenting of your sins, confessing and forsaking never to do them again, and also keeping all of the commandments that God has laid down for you. Do you really think that those residents would say to me to my face that they are prepared for death with courage and dignity. The reason I doubt that is because a good friend of mine that attends my church works in hospice. He came to me one day asking me why is it that Latter Day Saints seem to be afraid to die.

Now he's dealing with Latter Day Saints that are on death's doorstep and he has experienced personally. Apparently a number of Latter Day Saints who do not seem to be facing death with courage and dignity.

One last quote we want to give on page 76. This is what Oaks says is it any wonder then that the book of Mormon, another Testament of Jesus Christ concludes with the teaching that to become perfect and sanctified in Christ, we must love God with all our might, mind and strength in these quoting from around 910 32 and 33. His plan motivated by love must be received with love. We notice totally Eric that a lot of Latter Day Saints a been quoting around my 1032.

Many times they don't quote it in its entirety and this is the case with Dallen Oaks. He says we must become perfect and sanctified in Christ, we must love God with all her might, mind and strength and then he has a reference for only 1032 but what is more like 1032 actually say what did he leave out EA come onto Christ and be perfected in him and deny yourselves of all ungodliness and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness and love God with all your might, mind and strength then is is grace sufficient for you, that by his grace, he may be perfect in Christ.

And if, by the grace of God year perfect in Christ. You can in no wise deny the power of God with that verse in mind, I take us back to the illustration I gave earlier. If that is the requirement that you must deny yourselves of all ungodliness and only if, you shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness that his grace will be sufficient for you, would you really have the courage and dignity to face your own death.

Thank you for listening.

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