What this doctrine proves is that Christ's atoning blood is not sufficient in absolving man's sin. therefore, it is the belief of Mormonism based on these teachings that man has some level of input in his salvation.
Before we move on into the deeper elements of this doctrine. We first need to build up an understanding of whom Christ is in Mormonism, and why this false picture of Jesus cannot be substantiated from Gods true word. the bible. with all of this said we move along to our first teaching by the Mormon authorities on who they believe Jesus to be.
Please take note of the following citations from a Mormon publication called, "what Mormon think of Christ" ;
In this conversation our Lord boldly directed the Pharisees to consider the very heart and core of Christianity. Is he really the Son of God, as we are the sons of mortal fathers Or was he just another religious teacher, of whom there were many among the Jews in that day Or was he the greatest moral and spiritual teacher of all ages, though not the literal, personal offspring in the flesh of that exalted, personal being who is God our Father .Their state of blind rejection of revealed truth was not of a different variety than that found among equally sincere, religious people today. Many reliable surveys have been made among present-day ministers and laymen, inquiring relative to a belief in Christ as the literal Son of God. Few have knowledge that he is such, literally, personally, actually, as other men are the sons of mortal parents.(p.6 - 7)
This citation makes it clear just what the Mormons believe about Jesus of nazareth. who is the Lord of all creation, the picture this builds up is that Christ is the physical son of God, not the son through the same divine essence as the father, who is the God incarnate.
This idea stems from the unbiblical position that God the father has existed as a man and came down to earth and have relations with Mary.
Here are a few more citations which verify this factor as being what this group teach;
When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost . . .Now, remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. I will repeat a little anecdote. I was in conversation with a certain learned professor upon this subject, when I replied, to this idea"if the Son was begotten by the Holy Ghost, it would be very dangerous to baptize and confirm females, and give the Holy Ghost to them, lest he should beget children, and be palmed upon the Elders by the people, bringing the Elders into great difficulties." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 1:50-51)
CHRIST NOT BEGOTTEN OF HOLY GHOST. I believe firmly that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh. He taught this doctrine to his disciples. He did not teach them that He was the Son of the Holy Ghost, but the Son of the Father. . . . Christ was begotten of God. He was not born without the aid of Man, and that Man was God! (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation , 1:18)
A fundamental doctrine of true Christianity is the divine birth of the child Jesus. This doctrine is not generally comprehended by the world. The paternity of Jesus Christ is one of the 'mysteries of godliness' comprehended only by the spiritually minded. . . . Thus the testimonies of appointed witnesses leave no question as to the paternity of Jesus Christ. God was the Father of Jesus' mortal tabernacle, and Mary, a mortal woman, was His mother. He is therefore the only person born who rightfully deserved the title "the Only Begotten Son of God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the most literal sense. The body in which he performed His mission in the flesh was sired by that same Holy Being we worship as God, our Eternal Father. Jesus was not the son of Joseph, nor was He Begotten by the Holy Ghost. He is the son of the Eternal Father. ( The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 6-7)
These are just a few examples of of same falsehood about Christ being the sexual result of the father (as a man) and his spiritual daughter Mary, these teachings spand the length of Mormonisms whole existence. going from day one with the founder Joseph smith till this very day inasmuch as just like in 20-30 years with Ezra Taft Benson, Joseph Felding Smith and others.
Bare in mid this ideal is no were found in the God breathed scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. so what we have is a foreign idea being passed off as if it is Gods truth, and it contradicts the biblical teaches which are consistent with the old testament and with the rest of Gods truth in the new testament.
They go so far as deny the virgin birth and the work of the the Holy spirit through the false idea of God having sexual relations with Mary. this gives us the picture of Mormonism's Jesus to which we can know turn to the real issue that i want to examine.
You say, "That man ought to die for transgressing the law of God." Let me suppose a case. Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins, and be received into the kingdom of God. I would at once do so in such a case; and under such circumstances, l have no wife whom I love so well that l would not put a javelin through her heart, and l would do it with clean hands. But you who trifle with your covenants, be careful lest in judging you will be judged. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 3:247The central point being made in these statements is this: Christs sacrificial atonement was not made to atone for every sin that man commits. the words "the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail" this is very Antichrist, since the bible nowhere makes this claim nor one such as it. this is some foreign concept that Mormonism invented to possible keep people from knowing the wonderful truth of what the true Gospel is.
But man may commit certain grievous sins -- according to his light and knowledge that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone so far as in his power lies -- for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail. Atonement and sins unto death. Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf. This is scriptural doctrine, and is taught in all the standard works of the Church. Doctrines of Salvation, Volume l, pages 134 and 135:
What is worse is that this teaching has been going around the temples of Mormonism for roughly a hundred years from 1850's - 1970's.
who, if they knew themselves, and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would beg of their brethren to shed their blood, that the smoke thereof might ascend to God as an offering to appease the wrath that is kindled against them, and that the law might have its course. I will say further; I have had men come to me and offer their lives to atone for their sins. It is true that the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins through the fall and those committed by men, yet men can commit sins which it can never remit. As it was in ancient days, so it is in our day... There are sins that can be atoned for by an offering upon an altar, as in ancient days, and there are sins that the blood of a lamb, of a calf, or of turtle doves, cannot remit, but they must be atoned for by the blood of the man. That is the reason why men talk to you as they do from this stand; they understand the doctrine and throw out a few words about it. You have been taught that doctrine, but you do not understand it Sermon by Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, pp. 53-54
Just a word or two now, on the subject of blood atonement ... man may commit certain grievous sins —according to his light and knowledge—that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone—so far as in his power lies—for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail.... Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressor beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf.... And men for certain501
crimes have had to atone as far as they could for their sins wherein they have placed themselves beyond the redeeming power of the blood of Christ Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 133-36
But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not, and the law of God is that men then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins. Murder, for instance, is one of these sins; hence we find the Lord commanding capital punishment. Thus, also, if a person has so progressed in the righteousness that his calling and election has been made sure, if he knows “by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood” that he is sealed up unto eternal life (D. & C. 131:5), then if he gains forgiveness for certain grievous sins, he must “be destroyed in the flesh . . . thus saith the Lord God.” (D. & C. 132:19-27.) Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Pages 92-93, 1966 edition
Here are a few more citation from various leaders and their works which help us build up this teaching. and it shows a consistent flow in the history of the Mormon Church, this also provides an incite into the evolution of the doctrines of this cult. what is perhaps the most significant problem is how this diminishes the saviours atoning work. especially when you have statements that make it clear, "But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not, and the law of God is that men then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins."
This kind of teaching and practice has removed these men and women who believe this falsehood so far from what true Christianity teaches.
Now lets move onto what the actual gospel teaches about Christs atonement;
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 corinthians 5 :17-21
Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. --- romans 5 :17-21
These above passages give us more than enough evidence to show that Christ atonement is more than sufficient in what it was and is intended for, justifying the elect through the fact they are redeemed in Christ and that they are reconciled to the father. we should note a real important thing in these texts : that being Christ work of atonement and the union we are granted through it are lasting demonstrations of Christ obedience to the father, none can be lost
A truth that is seen in john gospel in chapters 6 :37-40.44-45 and 10 :14-18 and 25-29, but we have a unique statement in Hebrews 7, which reads;
But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. -- Hebrews 7 :24 -25
The promise of our salvation rests upon Christ. who by nature is God and does and cannot lie nor break his promises. he has procured a people through his perfect obedience to the father, and these peoples salvation is found in the father and son who both love one and another and the father has granted this life in the son and it is given through the Holy Spirit.the sons ability to saves the elect is seen in the fact that he is sovereign like the Father and the Holy Spirit, all three are in control of salvation.
We also know that Christ did not just atone for the elects immediate sins as Mormons are trying to convince us. but in reality he atones for all sins, notice the following passages
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus. romans 3 :23-26
But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. 1 john 1: 7-10, 2 :1-2
These above passages show us that redemption in Christ's blood is not just for a one time thing which we can not lean on if we sin again. note the sayings "because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed" and "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". then "if anyone does sin we have an advocate with the father."
these expressions from the apostles john and Paul make the case clear. Jesus' atonement was made for the elect for all time. his priestly work is a continual action of his divinity since he is God by nature and God does not have an end nor beginning, nether does his priest hood.
One final scripture that will make this whole issue clear, that is from Hebrews chapter 10
He then says, See, I have come to do Your will.He takes away the first to establish the second. By this will of God, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all..... But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10 :10-11,13-14Based upon this passage and the other important passage from Hebrews. one can arrive at the conclusion that Mormonism at this point is not following Gods word, but is in fact introducing teaching which have no foundation in Gods true word the bible. nor is there a shed of evidence from the Christian history.
We can briefly note the following point upon this passage. there is only salvific sacrifice and atonement that God had brought about, that being the one founded in his son Jesus. Therefore, considering what Mormonism has been consistently teaching must be seen as a heretical ideal that these men had made up for his own evil intent.
