What you'll learn
- Explain the LDS understanding of grace from 2 Nephi 25:23 and Moroni 10:32, including the newer emphasis on grace among members.
- Present the biblical gospel of justification by grace through faith clearly to Latter-day Saint missionaries.
- Describe how to treat young missionaries with respect, and identify what former Latter-day Saints say helped, and hindered, them in coming to Christ.
“After all we can do”
You met this verse briefly in Doctrines Under Fire, Lesson 3; here we go deeper. 2 Nephi 25:23 says: “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” For generations many Latter-day Saints read this as: do your very best, and grace makes up the difference. Moroni 10:32 seems to reinforce it: “deny yourselves of all ungodliness... then is his grace sufficient for you.” Grace is sufficient if you first deny yourself all ungodliness.
LDS teaching also distinguishes general salvation (resurrection, given to almost all through Christ's atonement) from exaltation in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, which requires faith, repentance, baptism by proper authority, receiving the Holy Ghost, temple ordinances and enduring to the end in keeping covenants. Church leaders today often call this the covenant path, “the one path that leads to the celestial kingdom of God” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Why the Covenant Path”, April 2021). Older works such as Spencer W. Kimball's The Miracle of Forgiveness (1969) stressed rigorous, complete repentance, which many members experienced as crushing.
Many ex-members describe the result as exhaustion and fear: never knowing if they had done “all we can do”. Lynn Wilder, a former BYU professor, describes this in Unveiling Grace: years of faithful striving without peace, until her family read the New Testament and discovered grace.
Explain how many Latter-day Saints have traditionally understood 2 Nephi 25:23, and what effect it has had.Show answer
2 Nephi 25:23 says "it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do," which many read as: do your very best and grace makes up the difference. Moroni 10:32 seems to reinforce this by making grace sufficient once you deny yourself all ungodliness. Combined with exaltation's requirements and older teaching on complete repentance, many ex-members describe exhaustion and fear, never knowing whether they had done "all we can do".
- "after all we can do"
- grace makes up the difference
- Moroni 10:32 condition
- exhaustion and fear
The newer grace emphasis
In recent decades many LDS leaders and teachers have emphasised grace much more. Brad Wilcox's 2011 BYU devotional “His Grace Is Sufficient” is widely shared. He argues that Christ is not waiting at the finish line once we have done “all we can do”, that grace is available before, during and after our efforts, and that our works are not paying for salvation but are like piano practice: Christ has paid, and our obedience is about being changed. Stephen Robinson's Believing Christ (1992) and its “parable of the bicycle” similarly stress Christ's role.
Take this seriously. Many young missionaries will sincerely say, “We believe we are saved by grace.” Do not tell them what they believe. Instead ask questions: “What does it mean to be saved? What is required for exaltation? Can you know today that you will be with Heavenly Father forever? What happens if you fail to keep your temple covenants?”
You will usually find that grace still functions as enabling power to help us keep the commandments and progress, not as God's declaration that the ungodly are righteous because of Christ's righteousness received by faith alone.
What is the newer grace emphasis in LDS teaching, and how should you respond to a missionary who says "We believe we are saved by grace"?Show answer
Leaders like Brad Wilcox teach that grace is available before, during and after our efforts, and that obedience is like piano practice that changes us rather than paying for salvation. Take this seriously and do not tell them what they believe. Instead ask questions such as what it means to be saved, what exaltation requires, and whether they can know today that they will be with Heavenly Father forever; usually grace still turns out to be enabling power rather than God declaring the ungodly righteous.
- Wilcox: grace before, during, after
- piano practice analogy
- don't tell them what they believe
- ask what exaltation requires
The gospel to share
The biblical gospel is not “do your best and Jesus fills the gap”. It is that we cannot do our best: we are dead in sin (Eph 2:1), and God justifies the ungodly (Rom 4:5) by crediting Christ's perfect righteousness to those who trust him (2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9). Salvation is entirely of grace, received by faith, and good works are the fruit (Eph 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-7).
Be clear about who saves and how. The Saviour is not an elder brother who progressed but the eternal Son, God made flesh (John 1:1, 14). On the cross he bore the penalty our sins deserve as our substitute (Isa 53:5-6; 1 Pet 3:18). God calls every person to repent and believe (Mark 1:15), and those who receive Christ are born again by the Spirit (John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; Titus 3:5), a work of God's grace, not a reward for keeping ordinances. You studied the atonement and justification in Know Your Faith, Lessons 6 and 7, and in Doctrines Under Fire, Lesson 3.
This brings assurance. Romans 5:1: “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God.” John 5:24: whoever believes “has eternal life” and “has passed from death to life”. 1 John 5:13: “that you may know that you have eternal life”. As Reformed believers we rest this on God's sovereign work; it does not depend on our hold on him, though true faith will persevere.
Share it personally. Tell the missionaries how you know you are forgiven, not because you have done enough, but because Christ has done everything. Many LDS members have never heard a Christian explain why good works flow from salvation rather than earning it. Ask: “Have you kept the commandments today, all of them?” (James 2:10). Then speak of the One who did.
Example: Talking about grace with the missionaries
Elder: We believe in grace too. Christ's Atonement makes it possible for us to return to Heavenly Father.
You: I'm really glad to hear you speak about Christ. Can I ask what you mean by being saved? Is that the same as exaltation?
Elder: Not quite. Almost everyone will be resurrected because of Christ. But exaltation means making and keeping our covenants and staying on the covenant path to the end.
You: Thanks, that helps. Can I ask a personal question? Do you know today that you will be exalted?
Elder: I hope so. I'm trying my best, and grace helps me do what I can't do on my own.
You: I appreciate your honesty. Here's where I see it differently. The Bible says God “justifies the ungodly” (Rom 4:5), not people who have finally done enough. Jesus, the eternal Son, lived the perfect life I haven't lived, and on the cross he bore the punishment my sins deserved (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 3:18). When I turned from my sin and trusted him, God declared me righteous because of Christ's righteousness, not mine.
Elder: But don't you still have to keep the commandments?
You: I want to, because he saved me. Works are the fruit, not the root (Eph 2:8-10). That's why I can say with John that God wants us to “know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). Could we read Romans 4 together next time?
What is the difference between "do your best and Jesus fills the gap" and the biblical gospel?Show answer
The biblical gospel says we cannot do our best because we are dead in sin (Eph 2:1). God justifies the ungodly (Rom 4:5) by crediting Christ's perfect righteousness to those who trust him (2 Cor 5:21). Salvation is entirely of grace, received by faith, and good works are its fruit, not its price (Eph 2:8-10).
- we are dead in sin
- God justifies the ungodly
- Christ's righteousness credited
- works are fruit
Why does the biblical gospel bring assurance, and how could you share it personally with missionaries?Show answer
Because salvation rests on Christ's finished work, believers can know they have peace with God (Rom 5:1) and eternal life now (John 5:24; 1 John 5:13); for Reformed believers it rests on God's sovereign work, though true faith perseveres. You can tell the missionaries you know you are forgiven not because you have done enough but because Christ has done everything. You might ask whether they have kept all the commandments today (James 2:10), then speak of the One who did.
- peace with God now
- know you have eternal life
- rests on God, not our grip
- "Have you kept them all today?"
Why does it matter, when sharing the gospel with Latter-day Saints, to say who Jesus is and what he did on the cross?Show answer
Latter-day Saints use the same words, so the gospel must be stated clearly. The Saviour is not an elder brother who progressed but the eternal Son, God made flesh (John 1:1, 14), who bore the penalty for our sins as our substitute (Isa 53:5-6; 1 Pet 3:18). God calls all to repent and believe, and those who receive Christ are born again by the Spirit as a work of grace, not a reward for keeping ordinances.
- same words, different meanings
- eternal Son, not elder brother
- substitution: bore our penalty
- repent and believe; new birth by grace
Respecting the missionaries
Missionaries are usually young people, 18 to early 20s, serving at their own or their family's expense. Young men serve for two years and are called “Elder”; young women for eighteen months and are called “Sister”. They are often far from home, with strict schedules and study rules and limited contact with family (since 2019, usually a weekly call or message home). Many are sincere, homesick and earnest. They are trained using the manual Preach My Gospel to teach set lessons, starting with the message of the restoration, and to invite people to read the Book of Mormon, pray, attend church and be baptised.
Treat them as you would hope someone would treat your own children. Offer a meal or a cold drink (they will be grateful). Learn their names and home towns. Do not trap or humiliate them; they are not trained apologists and a hostile encounter may simply confirm what they have been told about anti-Mormons. Your aim is to be the most loving Christian they meet on their mission and to plant the gospel of grace.
Ministries such as Mormon Research Ministry, and pastors like Jeff Durbin whose church has done extensive outreach at LDS temple open houses, model a mix of clear doctrinal challenge and warm engagement. Learn from their approach, but match your tone to the person in front of you.
How does the lesson describe LDS missionaries, and how should a Christian treat them?Show answer
They are usually 18 to early 20s, serving at their own or family's expense, often far from home with strict schedules and limited family contact; many are sincere, homesick and earnest, trained with Preach My Gospel. Treat them as you would hope someone treats your own children: offer a meal or drink, learn their names and home towns. Do not trap or humiliate them, since they are not trained apologists; aim to be the most loving Christian they meet.
- young, far from home, earnest
- trained with Preach My Gospel
- hospitality as to your own children
- no trapping or humiliating
What ex-members say helped
Former Latter-day Saints who came to Christ often mention similar things. Christians who were kind and patient. Being invited to read the Bible itself, especially the New Testament and Romans or Galatians. Discovering grace and assurance. Reading the church's own history and essays. Finding a church community that welcomed them when they lost their LDS family and social network.
Lynn Wilder's story, and many others, also warn of what did not help: mockery, aggressive debate, cartoonish misrepresentations. Like ex-Witnesses, ex-Latter-day Saints are at risk of rejecting all faith when one system collapses. Walk with them. Offer friendship, a church family and patient discipleship. The promise of Christ is for them too: “all that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).
What do former Latter-day Saints say helped them, and what did not?Show answer
Helpful things included kind and patient Christians, being invited to read the Bible itself, discovering grace and assurance, reading the church's own history and essays, and finding a welcoming church. Mockery, aggressive debate and cartoonish misrepresentations did not help. Because ex-members risk rejecting all faith when one system collapses, Christians should walk with them in friendship and discipleship, trusting Christ's promise in John 6:37.
- kindness and patience
- reading the Bible; discovering grace
- mockery and caricature hurt
- walk with them; John 6:37
In their own words
“For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23)
“If ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you.” (Moroni 10:32)
“Christ's grace is not a reward for doing enough; it is enabling power that transforms us as we keep our covenants.” (Brad Wilcox, “His Grace Is Sufficient”, BYU devotional (2011))
“Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” (Articles of Faith 1:3)
“The covenant path is the one path that leads to the celestial kingdom of God.” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Why the Covenant Path”, General Conference, April 2021)
Key texts
- Romans 4:4-5: God justifies the ungodly by faith, not the one who works; grace and wages are opposites.
- Ephesians 2:8-10: Saved by grace through faith, not by works; good works are the fruit God prepared.
- Titus 3:5-7: Not by works of righteousness we have done, but by his mercy; justified by grace and made heirs.
- James 2:10: Whoever fails in one point is guilty of all; no one has done “all we can do”.
- 1 John 5:13: Believers may know now that they have eternal life; contrast with uncertainty about exaltation.
- John 6:37: Christ will never cast out those who come to him; comfort for seekers and ex-members.
Objections and answers
Try answering each one yourself before you open the response.
“We believe in grace too. But James 2:20 says faith without works is dead. You Christians think you can live however you want.”Show a response
I'm glad you believe in grace, and you're right that real faith produces works. James and Paul agree: faith that never changes a life is not saving faith. But the question is the role of works. James says true faith shows itself in works; Paul says we are justified by faith apart from works (Rom 3:28). Works are the fruit of being saved, not the root. Ephesians 2:8-10 holds both together: saved by grace through faith, not by works, but created for good works. Christians who understand grace don't live however they want; grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12). Can I ask: on your understanding, how much is enough for exaltation, and how do you know when you've reached it?
““After all we can do” just means we do our part, like a child practising piano. Christ paid the price; our obedience is about becoming like him.”Show a response
I really appreciate how that analogy stresses that Christ has paid. Many Christians would agree that obedience is how God changes us. But compare it with what the Book of Mormon says elsewhere. Moroni 10:32 says grace is sufficient “if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness”, and exaltation in LDS teaching still depends on keeping temple covenants and enduring to the end. In the Bible, God justifies the ungodly (Rom 4:5) and gives eternal life now to whoever believes (John 5:24). The piano analogy describes sanctification, but the question is justification: on what basis are you declared righteous before God today? If it is Christ's righteousness alone, received by faith, we agree. Is that what you believe?
“Christians say just believe and you're saved. That's cheap grace. God expects us to keep his commandments: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.””Show a response
Jesus did say that in John 14:15, and I want to keep his commandments too. But notice the order: “If you love me”. Love comes first, and obedience flows from it. Love for God grows from knowing we are forgiven: “we love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Grace is not cheap; it cost the Son of God his life. What would be cheap is thinking our obedience could add anything to his finished work. When I know I am accepted because of Christ, I obey out of gratitude, not fear. Many Latter-day Saints describe constant anxiety about whether they've done enough. Have you ever felt that? I'd love to tell you how Christ set me free from it.
“The Book of Mormon says God cannot save people in their sins (Alma 11:37). I have to repent and forsake my sins first. Otherwise it's just an excuse to keep sinning.”Show a response
I agree that God does not leave us in our sins; Jesus came to save his people from their sins (Matt 1:21). The question is the order. Do we clean ourselves up so that God will accept us, or does God accept us in Christ and then clean us up? Paul says God "justifies the ungodly" (Rom 4:5), not the already-reformed. Christ died for us "while we were still sinners" (Rom 5:8). Repentance is real and necessary, but it is turning to Christ in trust, not a qualification we must complete first. And because we are forgiven and made new, we then fight sin with joy rather than fear (Titus 2:11-14). Honestly, have you ever fully forsaken every sin? If acceptance waits on that, how could anyone have peace with God (Rom 5:1)?
“Families can be together forever through temple sealing. That's one of the most beautiful things about our faith. Why would I trade that for a religion that says marriage ends at death?”Show a response
I can feel how precious that hope is, and I love my family too. Jesus did say that in the resurrection people "neither marry nor are given in marriage" (Matt 22:30), so I don't want to promise what Scripture doesn't. But the Bible's hope is not smaller than yours; it is bigger. Those who belong to Christ are one family forever, brothers and sisters with one Father (Eph 3:14-15). And the centre of heaven is God himself: "he will dwell with them, and they will be his people" (Rev 21:3). The psalmist says, "Whom have I in heaven but you?" (Ps 73:25). Best of all, that hope does not depend on whether we kept every covenant well enough. It is a gift in Christ, received by faith, which we can know now (1 John 5:13). Would your family hope feel safer resting on that?
Written task
Write a 300-400 word dialogue in which two LDS missionaries say “We believe in grace too.” Ask questions that clarify what they mean, represent their answers fairly (including the newer grace emphasis), and present the biblical gospel of justification by faith with assurance, ending with an invitation to meet again.
Hand this in to Mr Scott. He will look for:
- Represents LDS grace teaching accurately, including 2 Nephi 25:23 and the newer emphasis.
- Uses questions to clarify meaning rather than assuming.
- Presents justification by grace through faith clearly with key texts.
- Shows respect and warmth toward the young missionaries.
- Includes personal testimony or assurance and ends with an invitation.
Further reading
- Unveiling Grace: The Story of How We Found Our Way Out of the Mormon Church by Lynn K. Wilder: A former BYU professor's account of discovering grace; shows what helped and what hurt.
- His Grace Is Sufficient (BYU devotional, 2011) by Brad Wilcox: Read or listen to the most influential recent LDS talk on grace so you understand the missionaries' framing.
- Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson: Chapters on salvation, exaltation and grace contrast LDS sources with the Bible.