The “Salvation” page in Gospel Topics says “In the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the terms ‘saved’ and ‘salvation’ have various meanings.” Here are two of those meanings:
There’s all sorts of support in the scriptures and elsewhere for the first one. There is much less support for the second. Now consider what King Benjamin taught: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…
Eternal Life, or Exaltation…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. 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.
So he said there is really only one salvation, which is to be “received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God” and it is possible only “in and through the atoning blood of Christ.” I am having a difficult time believing that there is another type of salvation that requires temple ordinances. It seems bizarre that I would need “the key words, the signs and tokens” to pass “the angels who stand as sentinels” (you all know that quote by Brigham Young).…I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God…if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God…
…but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent…
…if ye have come to a knowledge of…the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life…this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement…And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
(Mosiah 2:41,3:18,4:6-8)
Paul warned about those who might “preach any other gospel” (Galatians 1:8). Sometimes I wonder if salvation through temple ordinances is another gospel.
Any thoughts?