A Response to FARMS Critique of Questions to ask your Mormon Friends

Should we condemn all beliefs that might foster sinful pride?

Should Christians be prideful when they know that they possess eternal life while other less fortunate than them go to hell? According to Jacobson, this is the attitude Christians can have when they are assured of their salvation. She writes:

Yet the authors do not condemn Christianity, even though the belief that one is saved, while others are damned, can foster a class society and feed the ego of those who are "saved"--thus causing a sinful attitude of pride to become a reality in a Christian's life. (pg. 165)

Having talked to numerous Mormons, we know that temple Mormonism does "foster a class society and feeds the ego of those who hold temple recommends." Other Mormons who do not hold this same privilege--whether intentional or not--are looked upon as not being on the path to eternal life.

Granted, there may be some Christians who look at others in a prideful manner, but to do so is in complete opposition to the Gospel message. Salvation according to the Bible is granted purely on the basis of God's mercy. It is gained without works (Titus 3:5). As Paul clearly pointed out, this prohibits the Christian from having any right to boast (Ephesians 2:8,9). The Mormon however, must perform numerous works in order to gain his eternal life. As LDS Apostle James Talmage said, "Redemption from personal sins can only be obtained through obedience to the requirements of the gospel, and a life of good works" (The Articles of Faith, pp. 478-479). Paul points out in Romans 4:2 that "if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God." Why couldn't he boast before God? Because works are not how mankind is justified before God. On the other hand, if the Mormon has "earned" his so-called right to eternal life by his personal merit and asceticism, and if the Mormon view of salvation were true, he would actually have a right to boast. He could, by all rights, demand his entrance into God's presence. Such an idea is offensive to the Christian who recognizes that if it was not for the merciful, saving grace of his Creator, he deserves nothing more than eternal punishment for the deeds he perpetrated against Him.