LDS Freedom Forum

...as in, what is LDS conventional doctrine on the matter? And if you differ, what is yours?

My own suspicion is that the criteria for entry to heaven, upon our decease, is that it is not a matter of works, nor a matter of belief, but simply a matter of our way of being. In other words, its not about what we do, nor about what we think, but about who and what we are. It's not works, because rich people are capable of much better and more extravagant works than us paupers. It's not belief, because that largely depends on the culture we were born into. But anyone, whatever their works and beliefs, can be good. And it makes sense to me that a just God would reward that goodness, whatever we did and believed.

Has this theory anything to do with Mormon beliefs?

Best wishes, 2RM.

There's different views throughout Mormonism. But my view is thus:

• 2 Nephi 25
  
  23 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, after all we can do.

• Alma 24
  
  11 And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do, (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain--

Salvation comes by grace, and grace comes by repentance (or in other words, turning your heart to God)

For those who never knew about God (in other words, having no law), the grace of Jesus covers them:

• 2 Nephi 9
  
  25 Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him.
  26 For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel.

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that He arose from the dead, you will be saved.