Salvation Only In Christ's Name

There is no other name by which man can be saved, only in and through the name and atonement of Jesus Christ.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent (Mosiah 3:17).

And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives (Mosiah 5:8).

No offense to Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and so on - but we reject the notion that all religions can produce the same result - that all roads lead to Rome. That doctrine is sometimes unpopular and may even seem arrogant, but it is true nonetheless. We are bound by the word of God to teach that salvation comes only through Christ. God makes the rules. He made us. He can decide the requirements for salvation. We understand that without Christ there would be no salvation.

And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness (2 Nephi 9:9).

The first requirement is to acknowledge Jesus Christ and his atonement. Eventually, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. Our job is to help others realize that truth and confess his name before they are compelled to by the justice of God at the last day.

Salvation Only In Christ's Name (Video)

Beware: Like the Nephites, we may have lost the right to protection from our God

(Originally Published by Brian (AVOW), August 28, 2013)

I can't take my mind off the situation in the middle east. The fact that we're about to start another unrighteous war with a nation in the middle east is beyond frightening. But this time, I think the ramifications are more serious than we imagine. The Book of Mormon explains why...

The Book Of Mormon contains a 1000 year history of two groups of people named the Lamanites and the Nephites who were descendants of the Tribe of Manasseh. In short, The Nephites were God fearing people who worshiped Christ and were “the other sheep” that Christ said “should hear his voice” (see St John 10:16). The Lamanites did not believe in Christ and continually sought to destroy the Nephites. Throughout the entire Book Of Mormon, the Lamanites sallied into Nephite territory and launched preemptive wars against the Nephites, and the Nephites, with the help of God, were supported and victorious in defending themselves against those who sought their destruction.

The Nephites never sent their troops into Lamanite territory to launch a preemptive attack, nor did the Nephites police or occupy the land of the Lamanites (Even though they believed the Lamanites to be a blood-thirsty and violent people, and could have gone in as "saviors" and liberated the Lamanites!). From 200 AD until around 400 AD, the Nephites turned from a state of Righteousness and loyalty to Christ and his teachings to a state of wickedness. At the end of The Book Of Mormon, the Lamanites attacked the Nephites on Nephite soil and the Nephites beat the Lamanites, and the following was written:

7 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and sixty and first year the Lamanites did come down to the city of Desolation to battle against us; and it came to pass that in that year we did beat them, insomuch that they did return to their own lands again.

8 And in the three hundred and sixty and second year they did come down again to battle. And we did beat them again, and did slay a great number of them, and their dead were cast into the sea.

9 And now, because of this great thing which my people, the Nephites, had done, they began to boast in their own strength, and began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren who had been slain by their enemies.

10 And they did swear by the heavens, and also by the throne of God, that they would go up to battle against their enemies, and would cut them off from the face of the land.

11 And it came to pass that I, Mormon, did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abomination.
(Book of Mormon | Mormon 3:7 - 11)

14 And when they had sworn by all that had been forbidden them by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that they would go up unto their enemies to battle, and avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren, behold the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying:

15 Vengeance is mine, and I will repay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth.

16 And it came to pass that I utterly refused to go up against mine enemies; and I did even as the Lord had commanded me; and I did stand as an idle witness to manifest unto the world the things which I saw and heard, according to the manifestations of the Spirit which had testified of things to come.
(Book of Mormon | Mormon 3:14 - 16)

4 And it was because the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for were it not for that, the Lamanites could have had no power over them.

5 But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed.
(Book of Mormon | Mormon 4:4 - 5)

After the decision of the Nephites to change their policy to one of Preemptive war, they were not supported by God anymore, and the Lamanites destroyed the Nephites, and the Lamanites who were not completely destroyed are the descendants of the American Indians.

All recent presidents and presidential candidates (with the noted exception of Ron Paul), including Mitt Romney, have admitted no problem committing our troops without a Congressional declaration, and they are ok with and passionate about us attacking nations that have not attacked us. This is not a matter of the people's voice being split on this matter... The vast, VAST majority of the American people are supportive of these policies -- democrat and republican alike. Mormon and non-mormon alike.

Our Constitution is hanging by threads. Our nation has shifted our war policy from one that gave protection to the Nephites, to one that caused the swift destruction of the entire Nephite nation.

Syria presents a particularly difficult problem for the U.S. Syria has been a state-sponsor of terrorism for 30+ years. If attacked, Syria will no doubt use whatever means available to them to defend themselves, INCLUDING TERRORISM, and multiple direct attacks against the U.S. people.. and the attacks won't stop because the U.S. won't stop. Once Syria uses terrorist attacks as a means to defend itself, the American people will back a bigger, more advanced war against nations all across the middle east. Banks and the military industrial complex will profit. The American people will suffer GREATLY because Syria is likely capable of bringing war and death to our doorstep in ways we cannot imagine.

The attack on the World Trade Center represented a defensive strategy on the part of the proverbial Lamanites. (Read up on how the United States has invaded the Middle East and killed hundreds of thousands of civilians over the last 30+ years... and read up on WHY Al Queda says they attacked the World Trade Center. I'll give you a hint: It had nothing to do with the idiotic and insulting republican rhetoric that they "hate our freedoms").

I am proposing that a shift has occurred since those attacks. I am proposing that we might no longer be under the protection afforded to righteous nations by our Heavenly Father. I am proposing that if we do not repent, as a nation, that our destruction is imminent -- and the war against Syria presents an opportunity for that destruction to play out.

I believe those who support the actions of nations who invade or provoke war against other nations -- those who voted for the politicians (Bush, Obama, and others) who led and continue to lead these initiatives.. and those who verbally defend these horrific events will be held accountable before God. (Brian, AVOW, August 28, 2013)

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George Q. Cannon

[A people may be] determined to have war with us, the Lord says we should lift up a standard of peace unto that nation (D&C 98:34). That is the duty of this nation. That is the duty of the Latter-day Saints, when their enemies come against them to make war upon them. We must proclaim peace; do all in our power to appease the wrath of our enemies; make any sacrifice that honorable people can to avert war, with all its horrors, entailing as it does dreadful consequences so numerous that they cannot be mentioned. It is our duty, I say, as a nation. The influence of the Latter-day Saints should be used in this direction. We should seek to quell these feelings of anxiety to fight and to shed blood. Our influence should go forth like oil poured upon the troubled waters, quieting the waves of discontent and wrath that are aroused by this fearful spirit. The Lord then tells us what should be done:

And if that people did not accept the offering of peace neither the second nor the third time (D&C 98:35),

Not only ought we to extend the offering of peace the first time to a nation that proclaims war against us, but again the second time; and if that should be rejected, again the third time; and if it be rejected the third time, then

[They] should bring these testimonies before the Lord (D&C 98:35).

Go to the Lord, and say, "Here are our testimonies. We have offered peace the first time; we have offered it twice; we have offered it three times; but our offerings are rejected, and this nation is determined to have war with us. Now we bring these testimonies before thee, Lord."

Then I, the Lord, would give unto them a commandment, and justify them in going out to battle against that nation, tongue, or people,

And I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children's battles, and their children's children's, until they had avenged themselves on all their enemies, to the third and fourth generation.

Behold, this is an ensample unto all people, saith the Lord your God, for justification before me (D&C 98:36 - 38).

I do not look for our nation to do this. It is scarcely to be expected, in the nature of things, that they would do it. But it is the true principle, and we as a people should use our influence for this purpose. Our prayers should ascend to God; our petitions should ascend to the government of our nation to do everything that honorable people can to avert war. (Conference Report, April 1898, Afternoon Session)

It is my warning to everyone -- you must understand that God commands wars. Not men!

And again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them (D&C 98:33)

The Unbelieving Husband Is Sanctified By The Wife

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy (1 Corinthians 7:14.)

THE UNBELIEVING HUSBAND IS SANCTIFIED BY THE WIFE

Paul recognizes the struggles of part - member families among the Corinthians. Since there were significant cultural and religious differences between the believers and the unbelievers, his advice must have been a source of comfort and peace for those that wondered if they should leave their spouse for the gospel's sake (v. 12-13). Rather than condescending to the unbeliever, Paul recognizes the sanctifying power of having a believer in the home. Hence, the husband is sanctified by the wife's example. He is sanctified by the wife who brings the Spirit into the home. He is sanctified by the wife who raises up his children in light and truth. He is sanctified by the home teaching and missionary visits made possible by his wife's membership. He is sanctified by the possibility that years of diligence will soften the husband's heart towards baptism.

One sister described her experience as follows:

"After reading this scripture I fasted and prayed continually that my husband's heart would be softened. I learned that our time is not the Lord's time, and I needed to live my life to be worthy of the time when my husband would accept and return to the fold. Although I had faith, I really never thought it would happen in this life. On our 49th anniversary of marriage we were able to go to the temple once again and have been going ever since. The joy we both feel is unspeakable." 

(Jeanne Beam, Living by the Scriptures, LDS Church News, 1998, 02/28/98)

We sometimes think of missionary work in narrow terms. Is not one of the most powerful missionary forces in the world called motherhood? If a missionary is one who teaches an investigator and encourages his conversion, then is not a mother a missionary? Can we not imagine the Lord speaking to all mothers and wives as follows, 'if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this [family], and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!' (D&C 18:15)? Whether her children or her husband, the faithful sister's powers of sanctification are not fully recognized or appreciated.

"The best place for us to start blessing the world is in our own family, ward, and neighborhood. The greatest challenges given to any ward involve nonmembers, part-member families, less active members, troubled youth, and others with special needs. These are found in every ward and branch of the Church. The scriptures provide excellent models of effective ways to bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the gospel, salvation, and eternal life. If we search them, these truths will unfold." 

(S. Michael Wilcox, A Witness of Jesus Christ: The 1989 Sperry Symposium on the Old Testament, ed. by Richard D. Draper, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1990], 279.)

Behold, I Have Graven Thee Upon The Palms Of My Hands

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me (1 Nephi 21:16.)

Isaiah must have seen the crucifixion of the Savior. His reference here is clear enough to those with even a modest dose of the spirit of prophecy, but still is not understood by many. This is another example of Christ's great love for us. He is trying to show the house of Israel how much He loves them, as proof that he has not forgotten them.

'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends' (John 15:13).

Even though Christ's resurrected body is perfect, the prints in his nails and feet have been left as a reminder to the house of Israel and the world that He has "graven them upon the palms of his hands."

Behold, I Have Graven Thee Upon The Palms Of My Hands (VIDEO)

This Is My Work And My Glory

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. – Moses 1:39

THIS IS MY WORK AND MY GLORY

Corporations and organizations usually have a Mission Statement, a short sentence describing the goal and focus of the organization.  In Moses 1, we get the Lord's Mission Statement:  this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. This perspective changes everything; it is indeed a pearl of great price.

For centuries, the world has imagined a God that is barely interested in man - One that keeps his distance - One that doesn't speak - One that is too busy to intervene. Yet, the Pearl of Great Price teaches us that we are his prime interest - his work and his glory.  His focus is on us.  He cares more about the progress of men than the progress of nations.  He cares more about man than the mountains, oceans, and rivers.  We are not an afterthought of creation; we are the very purpose of creation! What a powerful message this brings to the whole world!

While incomprehensible, we should always remember that God who clothes the lilies of the field and notices the fall of every sparrow, cares for each of his beloved children.  

Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis noted: 

"He who believes that God cares for men has found the secret of perpetual happiness, sees the best glimmering through the worst, feels the sun's warm beams throbbing through the thickest clouds. No man can remain permanently miserable who believes with all his heart that the Almighty is his defense, and that a divine guide daily pours light upon a human pathway." 

(Improvement Era, 1902, Vol. V. January, 1902. No. 3.)