Do the LDS beleive there is a difference between salvation and eternal life?

[Irishcolleen]

Some posts, like the one on Uchtdorf's talk, suggest that LDS share the evangelical belief that salvation is a gift, but other posts suggest that eternal life is earned.

[skalenfehl]

Throughout our scriptures, the Lord has declared salvation to be a gift. It is the heavenly gift. 

[Jane_Doe]

I didn't know whether to go with the official LDS.org answer, or to answer in my own words.  I finally decided to go with the the LDS. org one, but if you'd rather (or if this doesn't cover it), I can answer in my own words.   

 

Salvation

 

In the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the terms “saved” and “salvation” have various meanings. As used in Romans 10:9-10, the words “saved” and “salvation” signify a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. Through this covenant relationship, followers of Christ are assured salvation from the eternal consequences of sin if they are obedient. “Salvation” and “saved” are also used in the scriptures in other contexts with several different meanings.

Additional Information

If someone were to ask if another person had been saved, the answer would depend on the sense in which the word is used. The answer might be “Yes” or perhaps it might be “Yes, but with conditions.” The following explanations outline six different meanings of the word salvation.

Salvation from Physical Death. All people eventually die. But through the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected—saved from physical death. Paul testified, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). In this sense, everyone is saved, regardless of choices made during this life. This is a free gift from the Savior to all human beings.

Salvation from Sin. To be cleansed from sin through the Savior's Atonement, an individual must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 2:37-38). Those who have been baptized and have received the Holy Ghost through the proper priesthood authority have been conditionally saved from sin. In this sense, salvation is conditional, depending on an individual's continuing in faithfulness, or enduring to the end in keeping the commandments of God (see 2 Peter 2:20-22).

Individuals cannot be saved in their sins; they cannot receive unconditional salvation simply by declaring a belief in Christ with the understanding that they will inevitably commit sins throughout the rest of their lives (see Alma 11:36-37). However, through the grace of God, all can be saved from their sins (see 2 Nephi 25:23; Helaman 5:10-11) as they repent and follow Jesus Christ.

Being Born Again. The principle of spiritual rebirth appears frequently in the scriptures. The New Testament contains Jesus's teaching that everyone must be “born again” and that those who are not “born of water and of the Spirit . . . cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). This teaching is affirmed in the Book of Mormon: “All mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; and thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 27:25-26).

This rebirth occurs as individuals are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It comes as a result of a willingness “to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days” (Mosiah 5:5). Through this process, their “hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, [they] are born of him” (Mosiah 5:7). All who have truly repented, been baptized, have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, have made the covenant to take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ, and have felt His influence in their lives, can say that they have been born again. That rebirth can be renewed each Sabbath when they partake of the sacrament.

Salvation from Ignorance. Many people live in a state of darkness, not knowing the light of the restored gospel. They are “only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). Those who have a knowledge of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the purpose of life, the plan of salvation, and their eternal potential are saved from this condition. They follow the Savior, who declared, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Salvation from the Second Death. The scriptures sometimes speak of salvation from the second death. The second death is the final spiritual death—being cut off from righteousness and denied a place in any kingdom of glory (see Alma 12:32; D&C 88:24). This second death will not come until the Final Judgment, and it will come to only a few (see D&C 76:31-37). Almost every person who has ever lived on the earth is assured salvation from the second death (see D&C 76:40-45).

Eternal Life, or Exaltation. In the scriptures, the words saved and salvation often refer to eternal life, or exaltation (see Abraham 2:11). Eternal life is to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and dwell with Them forever—to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom (see John 17:3; D&C 131:1-4; 132:21-24). This exaltation requires that men receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, and that all Church members make and keep sacred covenants in the temple, including the covenant of eternal marriage. If the word salvation is used in this sense, no one is saved in mortality. That glorious gift comes only after the Final Judgment.

See also Atonement of Jesus Christ; Baptism; Eternal Life; Grace; Kingdoms of Glory; Plan of Salvation

—See True to the Faith (2004), 150-53

 

[prisonchaplain]

While not a complete solution to the salvation-by-grace vs. exaltation by grace-filled worthiness (my understanding of the divide in teachings), my experience is that most Evangelicals (including myself) use the term "salvation" and "being saved" to refer to CONVERSION.  Most LDS do not consider themselves saved unless they are assured entry into the Celestial Kingdom, and are preferably headed towards exaltation.  Even the Evangelical idea of conversion is somewhat confusing, since most LDS would likely consider a full conversion to be unto the restored gospel--meaning, at minimum, that one was baptized into the LDS faith.

 

Regardless, we do all agree that any salvation is, first and foremost, a gift of God.  Further, that for salvation to become meaningful, a convert must embrace gospel (holy) living--taking on the life of Christ, and "dying" to the old self.

 

Our understandings are different--and these are dramatic and important variances.  However, the grace vs. works battleground generally does a poor job at getting to the real heart of the discussion.  IMHO, of course.  :)

[Jane_Doe]

While not a complete solution to the salvation-by-grace vs. exaltation by grace-filled worthiness (my understanding of the divide in teachings), my experience is that most Evangelicals (including myself) use the term "salvation" and "being saved" to refer to CONVERSION.  Most LDS do not consider themselves saved unless they are assured entry into the Celestial Kingdom, and are preferably headed towards exaltation.  Even the Evangelical idea of conversion is somewhat confusing, since most LDS would likely consider a full conversion to be unto the restored gospel--meaning, at minimum, that one was baptized into the LDS faith.

 

Regardless, we do all agree that any salvation is, first and foremost, a gift of God.  Further, that for salvation to become meaningful, a convert must embrace gospel (holy) living--taking on the life of Christ, and "dying" to the old self.

 

Our understandings are different--and these are dramatic and important variances.  However, the grace vs. works battleground generally does a poor job at getting to the real heart of the discussion.  IMHO, of course.  :)

 

Well said PC.

 

Indeed, most LDS view being saved as a process, not a single event (though the process obviously has events along the way).

 

I agree that the grace vs works battle ground is unproductive for understanding other people's faiths.  After all, I have yet to meet a person whom said they by themselves could be there way into heaven (100% works) or a person who believed that a person just had to believe and do/change nothing to be go to heaven (100% grace). 

[skalenfehl]

One could not be saved if one did not believe. If I don't believe in a God or in Jesus Christ, surely I would never need to exercise faith in someone that doesn't exist. But if I investigate the matter and begin to learn about Him and why I need to believe in Him, it becomes necessary for me to change my ways. This is called repentance, or rather "turning to Him." It is a turning from whatever strange path we are on to a path of light. God is light. But there's more. Jesus Christ declared that unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. That sounds an awful lot like being hedged up. Even damned. By being baptized in water, I am exercising faith that there is a Jesus Christ in heaven who wants me to be cleansed of my own worldly ways. It seems to me like work. But ok, I will experiment upon the word. I will do this with all my heart and hope and pray that there is a loving God who wants me to come home. I have been baptized. And because of the desires of my heart; because I have experienced a mighty change of heart, Jesus Christ baptizes me with fire and with the Holy Ghost, exactly the way Christ was baptized with fire when He chose to obey His Father in heaven. The Holy Ghost descended upon Him as a dove. And my only labors to receive this gift were to change my old ways and be baptized. And the journey continues.

[MrShorty]

In my mind, this is one of those "how shall we define the relavent terms" kind of problems, and I am not sure the LDS have thoroughly defined these two terms, in particular what "salvation" should mean. Exaltation (I think this is generally equivalent to "eternal life") is fairly well defined. As I see it, exaltation is the state/realm/"kingdom" that is where/how God dwells. In our usualy "hierarchy" of the hereafter, exaltation is the highest possible realm available to God's children.

 

Salvation, on the other hand, is, IMO, not as well defined. I think PC has one way of seeing it. As I understand the Protestants/Evangelical concept of "being saved", I would agree with him that this is somewhat equivalent to what we as LDS describe as "conversion" or "being born again", which represents the "beginning" of our spiritual journey towards exaltation rather than some kind of "endpoint".

 

From there, I'm not sure I understand exactly what we as LDS would understand by the term "salvation", and, therefore, find it difficult to give a meaningful answer to the question.

[Jane_Doe]

In my mind, this is one of those "how shall we define the relavent terms" kind of problems, and I am not sure the LDS have thoroughly defined these two terms, in particular what "salvation" should mean. Exaltation (I think this is generally equivalent to "eternal life") is fairly well defined. As I see it, exaltation is the state/realm/"kingdom" that is where/how God dwells. In our usualy "hierarchy" of the hereafter, exaltation is the highest possible realm available to God's children.

 

Salvation, on the other hand, is, IMO, not as well defined. I think PC has one way of seeing it. As I understand the Protestants/Evangelical concept of "being saved", I would agree with him that this is somewhat equivalent to what we as LDS describe as "conversion" or "being born again", which represents the "beginning" of our spiritual journey towards exaltation rather than some kind of "endpoint".

 

From there, I'm not sure I understand exactly what we as LDS would understand by the term "salvation", and, therefore, find it difficult to give a meaningful answer to the question.

 

A general conference talk on the matter:

Have You Been Saved?

Dallin H. Oak Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

As Latter-day Saints use the words saved and salvation, there are at least six different meanings.

 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/04/have-you-been-saved?lang=eng

[skalenfehl]

Salvation is simply being rescued from sin and death. It is having the that gulf bridged, which separated Lazarus from the rich man in Christ's parable. We can be saved in any of three kingdoms whose glory differ from that of the stars, the moon and the sun. Exaltation is to follow in Christ's footsteps, who did nothing other than what He saw His Father do, thus being exalted to the Father's throne, and His Father being exalted to a higher throne and so on. 

[mordorbund]

And just to complicate terminology more, there are different levels of "free" associated with "gifts". Salvation from death - mentioned above - is a great gift given to us through Christ's Atonement. It's akin to "free beer" that is given once, and (grateful or not) ownership is transferred. Salvation in the exaltation sense is also a great gift given to us through Christ's Atonement. It's akin to "free puppy" that is given but requires action on my part or the gift is no more. Both are free, and both are gifts, but they are definitely different from one another.

[ether-ore]

The LDS church accepts the truth of three fundamental degrees of glory.  To be assigned to any of these is, as far as I understand, considered a 'salvation'.  Eternal Life is only to be had in the Celestial Kingdom since that is defined as an eternally married couple will have eternal progeny and increase.  Other kingdoms do not have this.  All others are immortal, but immortality and eternal life are not the same thing according to LDS theology.

 

Many, if not most Christians do not believe in marriage in heaven because of Matthew 22:30: "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."  Some may believe otherwise, but unless they are referencing LDS doctrine, there is no Biblical basis for their belief.  So, given what other Christians believe, they will receive the salvation that they believe they will get.  They will be saved, unmarried and be able to dwell in the presence of Jesus Christ.  LDS call this, the terrestrial kingdom, not the celestial.

[The Folk Prophet]

In my mind, this is one of those "how shall we define the relavent terms" kind of problems, and I am not sure the LDS have thoroughly defined these two terms, in particular what "salvation" should mean. Exaltation (I think this is generally equivalent to "eternal life") is fairly well defined. As I see it, exaltation is the state/realm/"kingdom" that is where/how God dwells. In our usualy "hierarchy" of the hereafter, exaltation is the highest possible realm available to God's children.

 

Salvation, on the other hand, is, IMO, not as well defined. I think PC has one way of seeing it. As I understand the Protestants/Evangelical concept of "being saved", I would agree with him that this is somewhat equivalent to what we as LDS describe as "conversion" or "being born again", which represents the "beginning" of our spiritual journey towards exaltation rather than some kind of "endpoint".

 

From there, I'm not sure I understand exactly what we as LDS would understand by the term "salvation", and, therefore, find it difficult to give a meaningful answer to the question.

 

Actually, although I agree with you that there is certainly a level of confusion in LDS folk's understanding of it, the reality is that "salvation" is very clearly defined and pretty easy to understand. Salvation is applicable to whatever specific thing one is being saved from. When speaking of salvation in the gospel, obviously, we're not talking about being saved from a bear or from a house intruder, or even from Lex Luthor's evil plan to nuke all west of the San Andreas fault into the ocean to create new beachfront property. What we are talking about is salvation from damnation. Damnation, being clearly defined, as a level of stalled progression. Each level of progression beyond outer darkness is salvation from damnation, but there is only one state where we have no damnation whatsoever, and that is eternal life, a.k.a. eternal progression with exaltation, a.k.a. endles lives, etc. Therefore, there is only one true meaning of complete salvation, but certainly we can be partially saved at other levels. We all, for example, who are born to this life, will be saved from physical death.

[Blackmarch]

Some posts, like the one on Uchtdorf's talk, suggest that LDS share the evangelical belief that salvation is a gift, but other posts suggest that eternal life is earned.

yes there is a difference.

Salvation is the rescuing from the deaths- spiritual death, physical death, pain, fear, things like that.

eternal life is being able to live or have God's life, which is  a specific type of salvation.

(kind of like a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not necessarily a square).

eternal life can't be earned, there is no way for someone who has sinned even the slightest to be able to go that right- but you do have to be 100% obedient to god in all things by the time you get it. If you are not willing to put off the natural man or the things that would hold you back from attaining that, then you will not.