Book of Mormon and Melanin

God doesn't care about skin color. The Book of Mormon Jacob told his people to not look down on the Lamanites because of their skin color. The darker skin was just a mark that the Nephites associated with the curse. It was not the curse itself.

Jacob 3:9 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, which is the word of God, that ye revile no more against them because of the darkness of their skins; neither shall ye revile against them because of their filthiness; but ye shall remember your own filthiness, and remember that their filthiness came because of their fathers.

What was the curse of Cain, or Ham, and Laman and Lemuel? It was that Cain, Ham, Laman and Lemuel not only rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ, but they also rejected civilization and became superstitious hunting-gathering savages. I mean if everyone came from Adam and Eve, and Adam and Eve were blessed with knowledge of advanced civilization, somewhere down the line someone had to reject civilization and become the aboriginals of Africa, Australia, and America, etc. The curse which is passed on to children is that the children will not have the same opportunity as the the parents to accept or reject Christ. The curse is the inequality of opportunity caused by the sins of the parent and lack of education of the children.

The Book of Mormon deals as a major theme how to overcome the curse of inequality with the institution of agriculture, literacy, industry, free trade, missionary work, freedom of religion, and elected government. Through these steps the Lamanites were convinced of the incorrectness of the traditions of their parents and were converted to Christ. These same Lamanites were praised in the Book of Mormon for being more faithful, more steadfast, and more zealous in their devotion to Christ than the Nephites. There is nothing in the Book of Mormon which says that people with Black Skin are less in the eyes of God but the Book of Mormon says that God is no respecter of persons.

2 Ne. 26:33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

Let me give you a great example of what I mean. My Dad is a member of his local Rotary Club. He was telling me that the Rotary Club has begun a new program building and supplying grain mills to third-world countries. It wasn't enough just to teach these people how to grow grain, because these cultures placed the responsibility of grinding the grain on the young women. Using mortar and pistil, it would take all day to grind all the grain needed to feed the family. Consequently, these young women didn't have time to learn to read or attend school. So, now with grain mills, young women for the first time could attend school and learn to read. By reading people are able to be exposed to new and elevated ways of thinking and they are convinced to the incorrectness of their traditions passed to them from their parents and are empowered to pull themselves up out of and break the cycle of poverty.

Tribute to the Faithfulness of the Lamanites
Alma 23: 6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.

Alma 27: 27 And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end.

Hel. 15: 8 (5-16) Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free.

3 Ne. 6: 14 the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.

Latter-Day Temples and the Tribulation

Ezekiel 37 and Isaiah 2 have powerful revelations about the restoration of the Latter-day temple. Ezekiel says that when Israel is restored (church and kingdom of God after an Apostasy as well as a later literal restoration of the Jews to Israel), God will build His sanctuary and tabernacle among them. But this temple is not a Law of Moses temple because Ezekiel says that the temple will administer the everlasting covenant. But the Law of Moses was not everlasting but only preparatory. So, the sanctuary of Ezekiel and the mountain of the Lords house of Isaiah will be a temple after the order of Melchizedek and not Moses which will sanctify Israel (Christs church).

Ezek 37:26-28 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Heb. 7: 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Later in Ezekiel, the prophet describes a huge temple that is as big as a nation. Ezekiel is not seeing a temple in heaven but likely the temple of Enoch in the City of Zion. Remember the entire city of Zion was so righteous it was taken to Heaven like Elijah. There are no temples in heaven. All of heaven is holy and there doesn't need to be a special place set aside for God in heaven. The whole place is His house. But this vision reveals that the concept of the temple is scalable. It begins in the individual heart and then expands to a sacred and holy building and then a city, and then a holy nation, until it fills the whole Earth. John in Revelations sees the eventual Celestial Earth which he describes as a "sea of glass mingled with fire." John commented how he saw "no temple there." That is the goal that there be no temple, but that the whole Earth become a literal heaven on Earth. Remember that Christ promises the meek that they should inherit the Earth.

Rev. 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

Daniel interpreting the dream of the King of Babylon saw the Great Idol with the head of gold, the shoulders of silver, the belly of bronze, the legs of iron and the feet of clay and iron. The head represented the Babylonian Empire, Silver are the Persians, Bronze are the Greeks, and Iron are the Romans. Then Daniel says that in the days of the kings represented by the clay and iron a kingdom would be established which will not be destroyed but will be everlasting. This last kingdom is not the church of Christ that Christ established during the days of the Roman Empire. Satan was given power to overcome that kingdom but not those righteous saints themselves who were the fruit of the Apostles labors.

Rev. 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

But, in the days of the European nations represented by the feet of clay and iron, will the Church of Christ be re-established and restored. It is the stone cut out of the mountain without hands which will strike the image in the feet and topple it and pulverize it to dust. Then that stone will grow until it becomes a great mountain (temple) and fills the whole Earth. The description of the mountain filling the whole Earth is a direct allusion to the temple which will grow and fill the whole Earth during the the Millennium. But the process will begin in this world in the Last Days and the days of the kings represented by the feet of iron and clay.

Just as the temple was central in both the New and Old Testament, the Latter-day Saints are also a temple building people. God says he does not dwell in temples built with hands. But LDS temples were and our build like the Temple of Solomon; by the direction of God. And we know that God and His presence dwelt in Solomon's temple.

Rev. 7: 2-3 And I saw another angel (Moroni) ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

However, latter-day temples are not like Solomons temple. LDS temples are Christian and Melchizedek priesthood temples and they administer the everlasting covenant which is prophesied in (Ezek 37) and it is the sealing in the forehead (Rev 7:3)(Rev 9:4)by God in preparation for and protection from the tribulation (Rev 7:14)(Rev 9:4). These are the 144,000 in Revelation who are symbolic for the 10-thousand times 10-thousand (100 million+)(Rev 5:11) ordained kings and priests unto God (Rev 1:6)(Rev 5:10). They represent the 12,000 from every tribe which symbolizes that those sealed and ordained as kings and priests will be from every nation, kindred and tongue and people and not just from one tribe. Also, these priests do not offer their own sacrifice like the priests during the time of the Law of Moses (Heb 5). These priests represent Christ and administer Christ's infinite and final sacrifice to others as instruments in His hands.

Rev. 1: 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev. 5: 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth

But no one taketh this honor except he be called as was Aaron (Heb 5:4). Accordingly, John sees that like Aaron, those who overcome and are sealed will partake of the tree of life (Rev 2:7), will be set apart as kings and priests, and will be washed and anointed, and clothed in white robes representing that they have been washed in the blood of Christ (Rev 3:5), they will be given a new name and take upon themselves the name of Christ (Rev 2:17)(Rev 3:12), and they will be made to sit in Gods throne with Him and receive all things (Rev 3:21)(Rev 21:7).

All worthy men and women are ordained and sealed in temples as priests and priestesses. In actual fact, LDS women are ordained to the priesthood as priestesses unto God. We just don't set them apart to the same offices in the priesthood which give them unnecessary responsibilities to preside in church which would take them out of the home. And the LDS don't just call doing nothing the the priesthood of all believers. We actually seal and ordain all the believers to the priesthood. And all worthy fathers lay hands on their wives and children and anoint the sick with oil, and baptize and confer the gift the Holy Ghost. Men and women officiate in the temple. And the women prophesy and have visions and dream dreams (Acts 2:17) and the men heal the sick and speak in tongues (other languages for the purposes of missionary work). And Christ will come and receive His people as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And Christ will see eye to eye with His watchmen when the Lord brings again Zion (Isa 52:8).

Purchased Possession

Someone asked me on what basis God deserves submission, obedience, worship and love if LDS Doctrine teaches that men have divine and infinite potential to become like Our Eternal Father, are "gods in embryo," or have had spirits/intelligence/will/essence that is co-existent with God and therefore are considered gods then and now. Gods cannot be created, they ARE or ARE NOT. Christ says that He is I AM THAT I AM.

Ps. 82: 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

God deserves submission, obedience, worship, and love because he purchased us with the body and blood of His Son Jesus Christ. The concept that God purchased us is a HUGE concept. It has so many incredible and divine implications.

1 Cor. 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Cor. 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
2 Pet. 2: 1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Eph. 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

All these verses suggest that our essence and will is our own and always existed as "gods in embryo" (John 10:34, Ps. 82:6) and while it is true that without God we are doomed to damnation, death, and outer darkness, God has purchased us by the flesh and blood of His Son. Had God created us "ex nihlo" or "from nothing" he would already own us and there would be no need to purchase us.

But this is why God is not responsible for the evil of Satan. Satan always existed as Lucifer. He was created a son of God, but rebelled (Eph. 3:15, Isa. 14:12, Rev. 12:7). Lucifer was not created "ex nihlo" or "from nothing" but the essence, spirit, intelligence, or will of Lucifer is co-existence with God and purchased by God. If God created Lucifer "from nothing" then He created a defective product and already owed Him from the start and is responsible for evil. But God is said to create as a builder builds a house, and a potter forms a pot from pre-existing materials.

Heb. 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
Isa. 64: 8 But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Rom. 9: 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Man was not created gods, but were created sons and will be created into fathers like Our Eternal Father by the grace of Christ. That is why the worth of souls is so great in the eyes of God (D&C 18:10). Despite our nothingness without Him. Without God we are nothing, but with God and the grace of Christ we have the seeds of divinity within us.

Yes, Isaiah is correct. I context there are no other gods that will save Israel, or who reveals the end from the beginning. Only God the Father and Jesus Christ can save us. And there are not other gods formed before Our God because Our God has always existed and the spirits of men have always existed and are c0-existent with Our God. So, the souls of man were not created gods, but we were created sons of God. And though Christ we will be created fathers and join with God in the work of creation. But Our Eternal Father will always remain Our God, the Most High God (El Elyon).

Again, there is no other God who saves, but all men are considered gods. Christ verified the correct interpretation of Psalms 82:6 in John 10: 34 when he called himself the Son of God.

Psalms 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Here, God is telling the judges the worth of souls is great and God. But that without God we will die like men. But Our God, who is the Great Judge of judges considers even the afflicted and needy are of infinite worth in the eyes of God who the Great God of gods; the Most High God (El Elyon).

And God did not create "ex nihlo." If you believe that you believe in a being that is not taught in the Bible who built or organized both things visible and invisible (physical law) for operation in this universe like a man builds a house or a potter sculpts a pot. God organized all things from materials that have always existed and are co-existent with Him. If the opposite of created was eternal, or if created things could not become eternal things, than man who is created never could receive Eternal Life

Many Evangelicals want to believe that God is other. That He is not material or physical or tangible. That is exactly why we want to become more like God and came to Earth to get a body because by being tangible, we could interact and have power over the elements. God has all power and complete mastery over all the elements and laws of the universe. The laws of the universe mean death to us without Christ, but they mean Eternal Life with Christ and through Christ. God can manifest in time and space but is not confined by time or space. God is empowered by time and space. This has application in our personal life. Remember that commandments are directions and not limitations. But we need Christ to change our sin-nature and be empowered to keep the commandments.

Some Evangelicals want to believe in a God the created everything from nothing and is greater than everything. They don't like the idea that Our God could have a God and so forth. If that were so, they say, how could Our One God be Master over His God. That is applying human frailty to the equation. Our One God and His God are one in purpose as all Gods are. And Our God is co-eternal with Him. It is not a matter of who is on top. We are all trying to reach the same point of perfection. We need to stop thinking of perfection as a competition. This is not "King of the Mountain."

The truth that the the essense and will of man is his own and was co-existent with God but purchased by the blood and body of Christ is best illustrated in the Garden of Gethsemane at the point when Christ took upon Himself the sins of His people by the shedding of His blood. At that moment when Christ knew the infinite spiritual, emotional, and physical pain was upon Him, He demonstrates complete submission of His separate yet co-existent and co-eternal will to the will of the Eternal Father.

Matt. 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

In conclusion, I must emphasize. Even with this belief that all men are "gods in embryo" and have divine potential. Our God will always be my God. Christ will always be my Savior. Although, the Bible says there is no such thing as becoming a god becasue all mankind even the poor and afflicted are gods in embryo and all are children of the Most High (Ps. 82: 6); without God who is Our Only Savior (Isaiah 44:10-11), we will die like men and fall like princes. But, through Christ, when God sanctify, perfects, and creates me like Himself --a spiritual father; then I will be empowered to participate in the work of creation with Him.

My friend asked if Our God still serves His God? All Gods are one in purpose. They do not need to be commanded in all things. Our God will always by my God and Christ will always be my Savior. Those who are exalted and obtain Eternal Life and not just saved as angels and ministering spirits, but will also be made agents, and created to act and not acted upon. Therefore, we will also be one in purpose with the Most High God and likewise will not need to be commanded in all things. Like Christ, Our God see a need and fulfill it before needing to be commanded.

D&C 58:26-28 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves.

John 5: 19-20 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

LDS Doctrine Q & A

Is God body or spirit?
God has both a body and spirit and that is why we are commanded to worship God in spirit and in truth. God is spirit, but he is not a spirit only or not only a spirit. The only difference between purified, glorified, spirit matter and the purified, glorified physical matter that constitutes God's body is that it is tangible but being tangible does not confine God to time or space but gives Him power over time and space and other matter as He can literally interact with it.

Where was Christ born?
Christ was born in Bethlehem, a suburb of Jerusalem, but to a Nephite who didn't grow up in Jerusalem, answering Jerusalem was a more clear answer. If someone not from your home town asked where you were born, how would you answer?

Are genealogies scriptural?
LDS do not do genealogy to prove that we are more related to Abraham then someone else. We do genealogy to learn more about our faith heritage, more about ourselves, and so we can share the blessings of the restored gospel with those who came before us and whose legacy of faith created the psycho-social and spiritual environment where we could more easily receive Christ. (Mal. 4: 6) (1 Cor. 15: 29).

Is marriage eternal?
Angels are not married or given in marriage. That is because marriage is something that is only done on Earth during morality. So, the woman would have been married to the first man for time and all eternity by the keys of the kingdom given to Peter which is the authority that whatsoever is bound on Earth is also bound in heaven. This is the power that the Pharisees denied. The other 6 brothers had this woman as a second-wife under the law of Levarite marriage and the doctrine of the care for widows.

How long did darkness fall over the earth at Christ’s death?
3 days in the Americas could have been due to a pyroclastic flow from an erupting volcano. The air was so thick with ash that fire could not be started.

What does the Bible say about men, prophets or angels announcing another Gospel, as claimed by Joseph Smith?
The Book of Mormon teaches the same gospel of Jesus Christ as is contained in the Bible.

Did Melchizedek have a father?
The priesthood and spiritual authority of Melchizedek did not come from his father or mother but came from God while his temporal reign as king of Salem was passed down to him from His father. Melchizedek was a Christian and is a powerful type of Christ, but was not Christ Himself.

How old was Enoch when he was translated (taken up to heaven)?
The Bible gives different numbers for the same thing sometimes as well.

Should we believe those who say they have seen Christ in secret?
No you shouldn't. You should pray in secret and ask God yourself if this is true an let God tell you if it is true or not.

Is there more than one God?
In context of Isaiah, there is only One God who can save us. But the Bible says that God is a God of gods, and the Most High God (El Elyon). Describing men, God said, “I said, ye are gods, and sons of the Most High” All mankind are literal children of Our Father in Heaven and thus have the seeds of the divine within them; we are gods en embryo.

Is the use of King James’ English in the Book of Mormon logical?
Yes, because what makes JKV English sound distinct is its many Hebraisms. The Book of Mormon was written using Hebrew grammar together with reformed Egyptian Demotic-script instead of Paleo-Hebrew/Phoenecian. So, when the Book of Mormon was translated into English it retained many of the Hebraisms that give it the same distinctness as the KJV. Modern Bible translations focus on removing the Hebraic grammar in order to sound more modern.

Does the Book of Mormon plagiarize the Bible?
The same God who revealed the Bible, revealed the Book of Mormon. The Nephites had the Bible from Genesis to Jeremiah and referenced it continually like Christ referenced the Bible while on Earth.

Was God or Christ ever a man like we are?
God became a man in the same way Christ became a man but is still considered God from eternity to eternity.

When were followers of Christ first called "Christians"?
Adam, Enoch, Noah and Melchisedek were the first Christian's and received the everlasting covenant. Melchisedek presented broke bread and wine with Abraham symbolic of the Christian remembrance of Christ's blood and body sacrifice which would happen many centuries into the future.

When was the Book of Mormon's Book of Jacob written?
The use of "adieu" by Jacob represents that “adieu” was a part of the English language in 1830 and not a part of the Hebrew or Nephite language. English has many Latin and French words in it thanks to the Norman conquest of Great Britain.

Was Christ conceived by the Holy Spirit?
Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father

Is the doctrine of the Virgin Birth consistent with actual sexual relations between God and Mary?
There is no official doctrine on this question except to say that Jesus is the Son of the Father and not the Holy Ghost. Orson Pratt and Bruce R. McConkie were of the opinion that the Christ was literally "begotten" of the Father requiring Mary to be married to God and then remarried to Joseph under the law of the widow (1 Tim 5). Again, this was only well-intentioned opinion.

How many will be condemned to Hell?
There will be few who go with Satan to Outer Darkness. There will be others who receive a degree of salvation and will have access to the Holy Ghost or Jesus Christ. Those who are exalted will live in the presence of the Eternal Father. All mankind the just and the unjust will be resurrected but there are different rewards in heaven based on our degree of the Love of Christ we received.

Do differences between Christian denominations require a new church?
The few offshoots of the LDS church are few and relatively small in number and like Protestant churches tended to break off due to a disagreement over one or another doctrine while sharing the vast majority of doctrines in common with one another.

Are additional scriptures required?
True Christians should accept every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

Do all believers have authority / hold the priesthood?
Yes, and that is why all LDS are literally ordained as priests in LDS temples as was Aaron. Men and women are washed, anointed, clothes in priesthood robes. When Christ comes again he will come as King of kings and Lord of lords to receive the 144000 which represents an innumerable quantity of persons, 12000 from every tribe representing that priests in the last days will not just be from Levi or Aaron but from every kindred, tongue and people.

Was the Gospel fully preached before Mormonism?
Yes, until it was rejected and corrupted by mixing it with Greek philosophy and doctrinal creeds were established by 5/4 committee votes and not by unifying revelation.

Are the Father and Son one?
Yes, in purpose.

Was polygamy tolerated by God after the Old Testament?
Yes, Moses said in Exodus 21 if a man taketh another wife that she should not deny the first her food, clothing and duty of marriage. In the Law of Moses, Levarite marriage was commanded in which an older brother would take his deceases younger brothers wife as a second-wife if he died and hadn't had any children yet. Abraham and Jacob had multiples wives and it was counted unto them for righteousness because it was done to raise up a righteous posterity or to take care of widows which Paul speaks of in 1 Tim 5. Those Elders who take widows as second wives who are told by Paul to remarry and have children deserve double honor. But Bishops should generally be the husband of only one wife so they have extra time to care for the business of the church.

Does Doctrine & Covenants contain fulfilled prophesies?
The Doctrine and Covenants predicts the start of the Civil War “At the rebellion of South Carolina” … the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain … and then war shall be poured out upon all nations … And … slaves shall rise up against their masters … and that the remnants … shall vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation." (Doctrine and Covenants 87:1-5).

Is Adam our God?
LDS refer to Our Heavenly Father as Elohim and the Son as Jesus Christ, and Adam who is known as Michael the Archangel. So, if Adam is Michael, he cannot be the same person as who we call Elohim.

Does Christ dwell in the hearts of believers?
Christ dwells in our hearts by the Holy Ghost

Are sincere, last-minute conversions honored by God?
Death-bed repentance will result in salvation from Outer Darkness (hell) but not exaltation.

Is Christ the brother of Lucifer?
Lucifer is a fallen-angel who is of the same stature as Michael the Archangel. But Christ is God. All men and angels are considered sons and daughters of the Eternal Father according to the following

Eph. 3: 14-15 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.

Are personal efforts necessary for salvation?
We are saved by grace alone 100% But we are sanctified by works prepared by God such as baptism, prayer, priesthood, scripture, church organization, everlasting temple covenant, marriage, sacrament. None of these works can men do without God. Man cannot contribute even one iota to his salvation or sanctification. But man receives the Holy Ghost which empowers a man to receive all these things which results in a greater reception of Christ's grace, love, and grace. All the things listed are works which the Bible says will sanctify, purify or perfect. It is God who does these works through us who serve as instruments in God's hand and serve as witness to the power of Christ's atonement which not only has the power to cover and hide sin under the rug, but also has the power to purge us, and turn us completely away from sin in this world. This is why Paul says the Lord does not dwell in buildings made with mens hands. But we know the Lord and His presence dwelt in the Jerusalem Temple. So that must mean that God built that temple using men as instruments in his hands.

Should I allow Mormon missionaries into my home?
Yes!

John 13: 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

"After All We Can Do?"

LDS believe we are saved by grace 100% but we also believe that no unclean thing can dwell in the prescence of God. So it is not enough that our sins are covered or swept under the rug. They have to be paid for, and then they have to be pruged from our souls. Our sin-nature has to be changed. We have to become new creatures because although Christ's atonement will pay for past sins, we must get to the point were we no longer sin going forward. So, by Christ's atonement, our past sins are paid for. Christ's righteousness is imputed to us, and our past sins are not mentioned or remembered and we are admitted into the presence of God. But then what. If our sin-natures have never been changed, then what is going to prevent us from sinning in the presence of God after getting into heaven. We must be quickened in the inner man and we must be changed. And it is the spirit, light, love, and grace of Jesus CHrist which changes and quickens us.

Christ promised to save us from our sins and not just in our sins (Rev. 1:5). It is not enough that we are clensed from sin, and freed from the consequnces of sin only. The good news of the gospel is that God is also powerful enough to turn us away from sin completely.

Matt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

But when does this process of quickening and sanctification begin? It begins at the moment we have accepted Christ as our Savior. See it is the Holy Ghost which quickens and changes us, and sanctifies us. But just like no unclean thing can enter into the Kingdom of God, the Holy Ghost cannot enter into unholy temples. Or in other words, we cannot recieve the Holy Ghost if we are unclean. But all men are unclean. So how do we merit the Holy Ghost? We don't merit it. Christ merits it for us. Therefore, we recieve it through the merits of Christ Jesus who justifies us in the eyes of God and the Holy Ghost. But we don't receive all the light, glory, grace, and love of Christ all at once. Justification is just the beginning.

So, sanctification is a process. And as part of the program of sanctification God has said that He Himself has established certain institutions (using us as intruments in his hands) to bring about our eventual sanctification. And by receiving these things, we will be empowered to recieve more light, grace, spirit, and love of Christ until the perfect day. I have gone through the Bible and listed several "works" God has established for our sanctificatoin and perfection. In recieving them, it is not that we contribute one iota to our own salvation. It is God who is working through us and we are just witnesses to the application of Christ's atonement in our lives. WE are eye-witnesses to the power of Christ's atonement as we see ourselves change, our desires purified, our sin-natures destroyed as we recieve them. But again, it is not us doing it. We submit ourselves to God and the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Holy Ghost (Rom. 15:16)
Baptism (John 3:5)
Sacrament (1 Cor 11:24)
Prayer in Adversity (James 1:4)
Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Organization of the Church (Eph. 4:11-12)
Preisthood (Heb 5:8-9)
Everalasting Temple Covenant (Ezek 37:26-28)
Marriage (Eph 5:25-27)
Love of Christ (1 Jn. 4:17)

Now, we will not reach literal perfection in this world. But we still have the Millennium to complete the process of sanctification. And it doesnt really matter where on the path of grace and sanctification we are. It only matters that we are on it. And if we are when we die then our calling and election is made sure. But, because it is possible to fall from grace, we need to keep the faith, and finish the course like Paul.

The LDS church does not claim that man can contribute even one iota to our salvation. What the scripture means "we are saved by grace after all we can do" in context of the Book of Mormon means that we are saved by grace even after all the works God works in us for our sanctification as instruments in His hands.

Remember the words of Ammon and the sons of Mosiah who went on a mission to the Lamanites. They spoke in humility and wonderment about God who choose to send an angel to save them as they went about trying to destroy His church. They knew they deserved eternal punishment. But God had given them hope of Eternal Life in Christ. So, they gloried not in themselves, but they gloried in God. And they talked about their sucess with the Lamanites. But it wasn't due to their efforts, but 100% by the power and grace of God. And they likened their missionary success with their ability to be changed and repent and turn away from sin. And they gave God 100% of the glory.

So, someone claims that "after all we can do" means that man can contribute one iota to his own salvation, that is taking it out of context. I admit, I have heard people not really articulate it correctly, and I have always corrected them. And it may seem that the LDS church teaches works, but that is just a misunderstanding of our focus on faith in Jesus CHrist but also on repentance and sanctification ("perfecting the Saints" is one of the 3 missions of the church). But we receive all the ordinances and do all that we do in the name of Jesus Christ becasue we know that it is God working in us by the Holy Ghost, and it is by virtue of Christ's grace that any of what we do is possible.

The Doctrine and Covenants teaches, "In the ordinaces is the power of God manifest." because they are only recieved by the empowerment of the Holy Ghost. Also, every member of the LDS church when they recieve the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost are commended to "Recieve the Holy Ghost" because it is only by the empowerment of the Holy Ghost that any sanctificatoin is possible. And if someone were to just "go-through-the-motions" like baptism, or marriage, or priesthood, without Christ and His Spirit, the Doctrine and Covenants says "Amen to the power and authority of that man." Amen to His marriage without the Holy Spirit of Promise, Amen to your salvation. None of the "works" of the LDS church do anything without Christ and His light, grace, spirit, and love.

There is another misunderstanding about the phrase "After all we can do." Most people try to interpret it out of context. It says in context:

2 Ne. 25:23-24 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. And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.

The "after all we can do" was making reference to keeping the Law of Moses only. Nephi knew that salvation did not come by the Law of Moses, but salvation came by the grace of Christ, and the "after all we can do" part was only in reference to observing the Law of Moses until Christ would come and deliver the everlasthing covenant. So, it was only in the sense that he would observe the Law of Moses out of love and obedience to Christ. But, Nephi knew it didn't save, and that only Christ saves.

Abinidi taught the same. Abinidi asked "Doth salvation come by the law of Moses? What say ye?" (Mosiah 12:31-32). But then he taught:

Mosiah 13:27 And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of Moses. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses.

Mosiah 15:1,7-8 And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. . . Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men—

Mosiah 16:14-15 remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved? Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to come—Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen.

But, what about baptism? Baptism is a physical work. So, how can a physical work be necessary for salvation if it's Christ alone who saves. Baptism is necessary because Christ instituted baptism as the means that we recieve Him and open ourselves up to allow God to sanctifies us. And sanctification is required to dwell in the presence of God.

There is another example in the scriptures which illustrates this concept. God says he doesn't dwell in temples made with hands. But He and His prescence was in the Jerusalem Temple, yet it was a physical object. The Jerusalem Temple was not built by man's inspiration, but was inspired by God. Israel was only empowered to build it, and set it aside as Holy by the hand and grace of God alone. Similarly, God will make bare his arm in the Last Days and will rebuild His temple. And the temple is scaleable, and starts in the soul and then extends to a holy building, then a holy city, then a holy nation, and then the Earth itself until there is literal Heaven on Earth and there is no more temple. It is the stone cut out of the mountain "without hands" that became a "great mountain" (temple) and will fill the whole Earth. So, in the same way God can build a house to himself using men as instruments in His hands, God can empower men to be baptized, but it is God who is doing it.