We Are Saved By Faith AND Works

This FAQ provides a detailed Bible study on Faith and Works.

Faith and Works?:

“We are saved by Faith and Works” is a central proposition within LDS doctrine.

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, p. 210:  There are a few simple but fundamental things which everyone can do. One of these is for each individual to work out his own salvation. An outstanding doctrine of the Church is that each individual carries this responsibility, and that the salvation of man is a process of gradual development.

Gospel Principles page 75:  “We accept Christ’s atonement by placing our faith in him. … Christ did his part to atone for our sins. To make his atonement fully effective in our lives, we must strive to obey him and repent of our sins.”

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.

Two Bible passages are often used to support the proposition of “Faith and Works”:

James 2:17:  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone

Matthew 7:21:  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

But neither of these passages says that both faith and works are required for eternal life. Much insight can be gained by reading the next verse in both James and Matthew.