Christ gives several sermons to the people. One of these sermons discusses works, a concept often misunderstood in other Christian denominations. Christ’s sermon in 3 Nephi 27 explains more about works and how they operate within the grace of Jesus Christ.

Building Christ’s Church

When Jesus visits the Americas, He spent quite a bit of time establishing His church among the people. He called apostles and demonstrated the sacrament. He instructs that the church needs to be in His name:

And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. (3 Nephi 27:8)

Christ continues to say that “if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it” (27:10). If the people build the church upon the gospel of Jesus Christ, then Heavenly Father will be able to manifest His works through it. If, however, the people decide to build the church upon their own works and ideas, Christ says, “they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire.”

Why is it important that the true church be built on the gospel instead of on the works of men and women? This is crucial because men and women are fallible; the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ, however, are perfect. Even though the church will be operated by imperfect people, the strength of the purity of the doctrines will compensate for our shortcomings. A church built upon our own works would fail and lead us away from God.

Our Works Are Important

Some Christian denominations disagree about which will get one to heaven: grace or works.The answer is both. We would have no chance of returning to Heavenly Father without the grace of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself explains His purpose in God’s plan:

And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. (27:14)

So the Savior came to earth so that He can draw us unto Him, but our choices here still make a difference. Jesus Christ can’t save us if we don’t let Him, and the way by which we accept His grace is to pattern our lives after His.

We Accept Christ by Living His Commandments

I have a friend who thought that Mormons’ emphasis on works contradicted the grace of the Savior. She thought that by accepting Him you were automatically saved, that there were no further action to be taken to achieve salvation. This isn’t what the doctrine of Jesus Christ teaches us. When Christ was preaching to the people in the Book of Mormon, he said that “this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do” (27:21).

Christ did suffer for us and did atone for our sins, but that gift isn’t free. If we are to accept His infinite gift, we must do so upon His conditions, which are to live His commandments and strive to become like Him. That’s why our works are so important: our works are what demonstrate to the Savior who we are becoming and to what extent we accept His grace.

Jesus summed up this sermon in a simple sentence: “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (27:27). God certainly does not mean for us to earn our way to heaven; that would indeed contradict the plan of redemption. What He does intend, however, is for the depth of our conviction to be made manifest in how we live. This life is one of becoming, and if we are to be saved by Christ, we must accept Him by trying to become like Him. He will know our hearts and know of our intent. If we simply do the best we can, He will make up the rest and shape us so that one day we will be as He is.

The grace of Jesus Christ is amazing because it affects our souls. Christ’s grace is what allows us to change and choose and become. Our works operate in tandem with the Savior’s grace, allowing us to outwardly change and become like Him.

In this particular metaphor Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, talks to a group of people who have been humbled after being cast out of their churches by prideful people. They come to Alma wanting to know what to do as a result of being kicked out of their synagogues. Alma tells them that they should study the word of God and live by it’s teachings. He gives a discourse on faith, and compares the word of God to a seed that can swell in our hearts as we plant it and nourish it. In this article written by Tom G. Rose, a Latter-day Saint (“Mormon”), he talks about how we plant the word of God in our hearts.

How to Know the Book of Mormon Is True: A Metaphor

This discourse by the prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon gives us a powerful analogy about the development of faith. It compares the growth of a seed to how the word of God will swell within the heart of an honest inquirer. This analogy is beautifully explained in Alma 32:28–43. I strongly suggest that you prayerfully read these verses several times.

How do you plant the word of God in your heart? What is the word? Alma was asked this question and his answer is recorded in Alma 33:22. Planting the word of God means that you

• Believe in the Son of God.

• Believe that He came to redeem all mankind.

• Believe that He suffered and died to atone for your sins.

• Believe that He was resurrected.

• Believe that you will stand before Him at the judgment day to be judged for your works.

After planting this word (seed) in your heart, you must:

• Give this word (seed) time to germinate and begin to grow within your mind and heart.

• Pray and ask God if Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of mankind.

• Study the scriptures about the life and mission of the Savior.

• Do your best to live a Christlike life.

• Keep the Sabbath day holy.

• Continue to nourish the word (seed) with faith, diligence, and patience.

Will you have faith to plant the word of God (seed) in your heart? Only you can answer this vital question. If you have sufficient faith to try this exciting experiment there are two possible results:

1. It will grow if you do not cast it out by your unbelief. It will begin as a tiny seedling. This seedling must be constantly nourished or it will die. If you sincerely pray and study the word of God and live the best you can, you will begin to feel swelling emotions within your breast.

These feelings will be real and exciting. The sprout will grow slowly, but steadily, as long as you nourish it daily. If you continue faithful, it will become a young tree.

With time and constant nourishment and care the young tree will eventually become a mature tree bearing the fruit of everlasting life. You will receive true joy and eternal happiness! (See Alma 32:41–43)

2. Or it will die—if you neglect the word (sprout), it will shrivel up and die, because it cannot continue to live and grow unless it receives daily nourishment through your earnest prayer, study, and obedience (see Alma 32:40).

Even though the word (seed) is true (good), it will not get root in you and begin to grow unless you do your part. Heavenly Father and the Savior have done all they can. Now, the rest is up to you!! Pray for help in knowing and understanding the truth, and begin reading the Book of Mormon. An excellent place to begin is 1 Nephi chapter one. If you exercise your faith, an exciting experience with the word of God awaits you: “It will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me” (Alma 32:28).

When this marvelous experience happens to you, you have received revelation from the Holy Ghost. you have received a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true!

Additional Resources:

Learn more about the Book of Mormon at the official site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Book of Mormon is true. Request a free copy today.

Visit a local meetinghouse.

Source:

T. Rose, How to Know the Book of Mormon Is True, (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Inc., 2010), 56-61.