Grace is one of the most fundamental elements of biblical Christianity. Yet grace is seldom emphasized in Mormonism. In fact, the LDS community objects to the biblical idea of grace.
Why Do Mormons Object to the Idea of Grace?
Mormons believe that grace is the easy way out. They believe that Christians have chosen grace and a traditional, biblical church because it is easier. Christians teach that because of God’s grace, we are forgiven for every sin. Mormons misunderstand this emphasis as if it means being forgiven frees you from having to live up to the LDS standards anymore. Because of grace, Christians do not have to do religious good works to get to heaven. What Jesus Christ did on the cross was enough. This idea is hard for Latter-day Saints to grasp.
Mormons typically do good works out of obligation. They feel like they have to tithe 10%, feed the homeless, give food to their neighbors, and much more. So when someone says that grace is enough – and that they do not have to do those good works – Mormons see that as unfair. From their perspective, they are doing plenty of good works to be right with God, while Christians are just believing in grace. They see themselves as pulling all the weight while Christians take it easy. Many Mormons do not really want to be doing all of these good works. Their hearts are not in the right place. Therefore, they believe that grace is just the easy way out of working your way to heaven.
[Related: What Is Grace?]
[Related: Living in Grace After Mormonism]
Does Grace Give Us the Freedom to Continue in Sin?
Mormons believe that Christians think that accepting God’s grace gives them permission do whatever they want. Is it true that after we receive God’s grace we can keep on sinning? The answer is no. When God gives us this wonderful gift of grace, we know that we should not disrespect that gift. For example, if you were given a beautiful gift, you would not just put in out in the rain or mud to tarnish. You would cherish it and take care of it. This explains why Christians do good works. We want to live a Christ-like life in gratitude and honor for what he has given us. Our good works flow out of God’s grace and salvation. They are the fruit of it, not the cause of it. In Titus, it says that the grace of God teaches us not to sin.
Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, some people do abuse grace. Usually a Mormon knows at least one person who claims to be a Christian, but is living in a way that does not honor God. That does make it harder for us to explain biblical grace to a former Mormon. But when grace is abused like that, the problem is not with grace but with that person’s heart.
[Related: Does Grace Mean I Can Do What I Want?]
[Related: How to Live as a Christian]
Grace Is the Hard Way.
Mormons believe that grace is the easy way out. Yet in some ways grace is really the hard way. To accept God’s grace, a person has to become humble. Grace requires us to surrender our lives to God’s leading. Most people don’t find this easy. It goes against human nature to give in to God and to believe that God knows best. It is difficult to die to your pride and self-sufficiency, in realization that there is nothing you can do to earn God’s favor, and to trust only in the fact that Jesus has done it all.
[Related: Understanding Grace and Faith After Mormonism]
[Related: The Grace Narrative]
