how can we save, mormons, Jehova's witnesses, salvation

About salvation

How do Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses understand salvation, and how their teaching differs from traditional Christian and biblical teaching?

This last chapter discusses salvation. When Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons talk about it, it might at first glance seem identical to traditional Christian salvation. If you haven’t studied their writings more closely, you might not at first notice any difference, because they can talk about similar things that are mentioned in the Bible: grace, Jesus’ redemption and that people must turn to God.

In reality, however, there are differences. One difference, e.g., is that both groups emphasize the uniqueness of their organization. They might teach that their organization is the only channel chosen by God, and that people should be a part of this organization to be saved. This idea comes clearly across, e.g., in the book Sinä voit elää ikuisesti paratiisissa maan päällä, p. 255 (You can live forever in paradise on earth) by the Jehovah’s Witnesses:

Do not think that there are different ways and means by which you can get life in God’s new creation. There is only one way. Several boats did not survive the Flood, only one boat did. In the “great tribulation”, which is quickly approaching, there is only one organization that will also be saved, the visible organization of God. (…) You have to belong to the organization of Jehovah and to do the will of God in order to receive his everlasting blessing.

Mormons also emphasize the uniqueness of their church. The book Lujana uskossa (True to the Faith) mentions, e.g., how we lived in darkness for centuries, but how Jesus Christ’s true church is here once again. It is said to be the only true and living church in the whole world (boldface added to the text later):

p. 21 Many men and women sought the fulness of gospel truth during the centuries of the Great Apostasy, but they were unable to find it. Although many preached with sincerity about the Savior and His teachings, none had the fulness of the truth or priesthood authority from God. The Great Apostasy was a time of spiritual darkness, but we now live in a time when we can partake of “the light of the glorious gospel of Christ”… The fulness of the gospel has been restored, and the true Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth again. No other community is comparable to it.

p. 22 As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can receive blessings that were absent from the earth for almost 2,000 years… the Lord has declared is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (see D&C 1:30).

p. 24 The Old Testament prophet Daniel prophesied that God would “set up a kingdom” that would “never be destroyed” and would “stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44). In making this prophecy, he spoke of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, the kingdom of God on the earth today.

What about other respective differences? One major difference is that Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that most of the Bible promises concern only a group of 144 000 people who have the hope of heaven, are the body of Christ and children of God, and have been reborn. They think that the Bible only applies to these 144 000 people, despite there being billions of people on earth.

However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not take into consideration that nowhere in the Bible can you find that rebirth, salvation, and being a child of God would be somehow limited. Instead, the Bible says that there is space for anyone who welcome Jesus, goes through rebirth and becomes a child of God, not only for a group of 144 000 people. Promises in the Bible belong to anyone who turns to God through Jesus Christ, and not only to some limited group:

- (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name

- (Rom 10:13) For whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

What about Mormons’ perception of salvation?

Here we are going to look over some aspects of how, specifically, Mormon’s teachings deviate from traditional views. For instance, the following differences are considerable. Similar ideas are, however, common in other religious groups, not only among Mormons. That is why the following might help, when studying other similar movements.

Rebirth is a process. Mormon’s doctrine explains, how rebirth is a process. Their leaflet Mitä mormonit ajattelevat Kristuksesta?, p. 17 (What the Mormons Think of Christ?), tells that by being obedient to the law and the ordinances of the gospel people can be reborn and receive a spiritual life:

Christ’s atonement redeems people from spiritual death so that by keeping the laws and the ordinances of the gospel people can be reborn and receive an eternal life.

Whereas, if we look at the Bible teaching, we can see that rebirth is something that happens in an instant, like actual birth. That is why we can celebrate our birthday once a year – not all-year-round – because we know the exact moment of our birth. Rebirth and becoming a child of God happens on the instant we welcome Jesus Christ into our lives, as it has been written:

- (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name

We will bring up more verses on the same topic. They show that salvation and rebirth are things that have already happened if a person has turned to God through Jesus Christ:

- (Tit 3:5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

- (2 Tim 1:9) Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

- (Eph 2:4,5) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by grace you are saved;

- (1 Peter 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

- (1 Peter 1:23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and stays for ever.

Conversion is a process. As Mormons teach rebirth to be a process, they also teach the same about conversion. The book Lujana uskossa (True to the Faith) tells:

p. 83 Conversion is a process, not a single event. Conversion is the result of righteously seeking to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith… Because conversion is a quiet, constant process, you may be converted now and not realize it.

What is the respective Bible teaching? We learn that conversions were brief and instantaneous in the biblical times, and we can be sure that it hasn’t changed since.

And that is how it should be, because converting to God does not take time. It, and receiving salvation, happens in an instant. We are going to look at this in the light of a few Bible examples:

- (Luke 7:50) And he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

- (Luke 19:2-9) And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said to him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at your house.

6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

9 And Jesus said to him, This day is salvation come to this house, as much as he also is a son of Abraham.

- (Acts 2:41, 47) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls.

47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

- (Acts 4:4) However, many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

- (Acts 9:32-35) And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelled at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

34 And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole: arise, and make your bed. And he arose immediately.

35 And all that dwelled at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

- (Acts 11:20-21) And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord.

- (Acts 16:25-34) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm: for we are all here.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.

32 And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

- (1 Thess 1:9) For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

A mixture of law and grace. One clear difference in the view of salvation is that Mormon doctrine is a mixture of law and grace. Mormons can talk about the fact that everything is God's grace and that salvation is through Jesus alone, but in practice they deny the whole thing. It is well illustrated in the following quotes. In them, in addition to believing in Jesus, the condition for salvation is considered that man seeks to keep the commandments. The quotes are from the book Lujana uskossa (True to the Faith):

p. 5 To be counted as Abraham’s seed, an individual must obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

p. 11 The phrase “after all we can do” teaches that effort is required on our part to receive the fulness of the Lord’s grace and be made worthy to dwell with Him

p. 34 Remember that as you give your greatest effort and repent of your sins, the Atonement of Jesus Christ will compensate for your weakness… “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23).

p. 58 To receive a remission of your sins, you must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, be sincerely repentant, and strive always to keep the commandments. The prophet Mormon taught, “The first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins” (Moroni 8:25).

p. 115 The Lord promised, “He that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven” (D&C 1:32)

What is the problem with the previous teaching? The biggest problem is that it doesn't bring assurance of salvation. How well are we supposed to keep the commandments for God to accept us? Where do we draw the line if faith alone in Jesus Christ is not enough? Mormons cannot give a straight answer to this. They might say that “It will be enough that you do all you can”, but in this way they lack certainty.

What does the Bible teach? Acts are important, yes, but they are never a condition for salvation, but rather a consequence of it. When we receive a new nature through rebirth, we naturally want to do good acts. Yet, they have nothing to do with salvation, as they are fruits of faith and acts of belief, which come as a consequence of being saved.

Let's look at some Bible verses on the subject. They show that salvation is a gift and grace. If even a little bit of human actions are mixed into them, they are no longer what they are. Either we are saved by grace alone or by works alone. There are no intermediate forms between them. However, because of our inadequacy, the only option is to be saved by grace alone:

- (Eph 2:4,5) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by grace you are saved;

- (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

- (Acts 15:11) But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

- (Tit 2:11) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

- (Rev 21:6) And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

- (Rev 22:17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

It should also be noted that setting acts as a requirement for salvation is an old false doctrine, which people battled against already during the early congregation (Acts chapter 15 and the whole of Galatians describe the situation of the time.). It was taught even back then that in addition to having faith in the Christ, you also needed circumcision and you needed to keep the law in order to be saved. Acts 15:1 tells the claims of these false teachers:

- (Acts 15:1) And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brothers, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.

Paul continues to talk about the same issue in the Galatians. He reprimanded the Galatians for turning to new doctrines, which put more requirements onto salvation than only having faith in Jesus. These words by Paul are still relevant to this day.

- (Gal 3:1-5) O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2 This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?

4 Have you suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

5 He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Martti Luther continues on the same topic. In his explanation of Galatians, he showed several times how the religious but unregenerate people of that time confused grace and works. They explained that a person is saved by grace, but that is not enough, and works are required in addition to that. A person must do what he can so that God will give him his grace. Thus, two things are mixed up here. Works are indeed good and useful, but they are never a condition of salvation, but one of the consequences of salvation. They prove whether a person's faith is alive or dead:

But the truth of the Gospel is this: our righteousness is through faith alone, without acts of the law. Interpreting the Gospel falsely is to say that we are justified through faith, but not without acts of the law. The false apostles preached the Gospel by adding this condition to it. Our Sophists [and papists] teach the same: we must believe in Christ, and faith is the foundation of blessedness, but it does not justify us if it has not been expressed through love. This is not the truth of the Gospel, but something that only looks like the gospel.

The correct way to receive righteousness isn’t that you do what you can; this phrase is used by sophists and scholastics. They say that if a man does what he can then God will definitely give His grace to him. This saying is one of the most important of the sophists and is quite like a creed.

This is a genuine Christian doctrine: we are justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. Let not the impious explanation of the sophists in this matter shock you in the least, for they say that faith is righteousness only when love and good works come in addition to it. By this pernicious explanation they have obscured and corrupted the best passages of Scripture. ...It must therefore be avoided like hellish poison and must be concluded with Paul: we become righteous by faith alone, not by faith manifested by love. The power of justification is therefore not to be attributed to that qualifying manifestation, but to the faith that clings to the Savior, Christ, and owns him in its heart. This faith justifies without and before love.

The Pope and his scholastic teachers clearly say that law and grace are different from each other, and yet, when this is put into practice, he teaches the complete opposite. Faith in Christ, he says, whether it be the result of natural ability, action or attitude or Given to us by God, is still dead if it is not followed by love. Now where is the difference between law and grace? Looking at the titles, he certainly distinguishes them from each other, but in fact he calls grace love. Likewise, the sectarians demand works in addition to faith. Therefore, all those who, being sincere, have not remained in the understanding of the doctrine of justification, necessarily confuse law and grace.

Therefore, let every pious person carefully learn to distinguish the law from grace also in experience and practice and not only in words like the Pope and fanatical spirits. Indeed, if it is a question of words, they recognize them as two different things, but in fact, as I said, they confuse them because they do not admit that faith without works justifies... Admittedly, they pretend to be pure teachers of the gospel and the faith of Christ, as we are, but when it comes to application, they are teachers of the law, exactly the same as—false apostles.

Declaring one as righteous and innocent. When it comes to being declared innocent and righteous, it doesn't happen in Mormon teaching until in front of the court. In the book Lujana uskossa (True to the Faith) it is said:

p. 25 The Savior has promised that if we endure to the end, faithfully living the gospel, He will hold us guiltless before the Father at the Final Judgment (see 3 Nephi 27:16)

p. 44 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world” (3 Nephi 27:13–16)

Instead, the teaching of the Bible is that we are righteous as soon as we receive Jesus Christ into our lives. We receive His righteousness and innocence, like a gift of a new suit. This issue is being talked about in its past form. In addition, Paul wrote that God justifies the wicked, that is, a person who certainly has no merit. That's who we all are.

- (Rom 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

- (Rom 5:9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

- (1 Cor 6:11) And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

- (Room 3:23-28) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? No: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

- (Rom 4:5-8) But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, to whom God imputes righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

The result of cooperation between God and people. Mormons, like other similar religious people, believe that salvation depends on both, the atonement of Jesus Christ and our own fight to worthiness. They consider salvation as cooperation between God and humans. What we lack in our imperfect journey, God will fulfill with His grace through the atonement of Christ. The following quotation from the book Lujana uskossa (True to the Faith) tells about the matter:

A similar common view of religious people is clear in the famous book “the Pilgrim’s Progress” (p. 164,165) by John Bunyan. Religious people think that God’s acceptance is dependent on both, the Christ’s merits and worthiness and partly our own merits and worthiness. Bunyan wrote centuries ago about the matter:

Ignorant: Do you think that I am so stupid that I would not know that God sees more than I do? Or that I would come before God under the protection of my good deeds?

Christian: What do you think about this question then?

Ignorant: Briefly, I think that I must believe in Christ in order to become righteous.

Christian: What on earth? You think that you must believe in Christ, even though you do not understand that you need him? You do not understand the original sin or your weaknesses and you think so highly of yourself and your good deeds that you think you do not need the righteousness of Christ before God? How can you then say that you believe in Christ?

Ignorant: But I do believe.

Christian: In what way?

Ignorant: I believe that Christ died for the sinners, and that I will be freed before God from the curse when He in His grace accepts my obeying the law. Christ thus makes my religious acts acceptable to the Father because of what Christ has done for us, and that justifies me.

Christian: I want to answer your statement of faith.

1. Your faith is fictitious; it is not described in the word of God.

2. Your faith is wrong, because it takes righteousness from the righteousness of Christ and connects it to your own.

3. According to your belief, Christ does not justify you, He first justifies your acts and you yourself only after that – which is quite wrong.

4. That is why this belief is deceitful and will leave you under the anger of the almighty God on the day He returns. The true justifying faith causes a soul that, before the law, feels its lost state, to flee to the safety of Christ's righteousness. His righteousness is not an act of grace by which He would change your obedience into righteousness, He himself was obedient before the law when He suffered and did what was needed for us. This is righteousness that the right kind of faith receives, and when the soul is wrapped in it, it can step in front of God as pure, accepted and free from judgment.

Ignorant: What? Should we trust in what Christ has done in Himself outside of us? Then our lusts would be unleashed and we could live any way we wanted. After all, the righteousness of Christ would be enough to justify us from all things, no matter how we lived, if only we believed in it.

Christian: Ignorant is your name, and you really are equal to your name – your answer proves that. You are ignorant about what real righteousness is, about how faith in righteousness can save you from the anger of God. And you are just as ignorant about how faith in the righteousness of Christ affects, how it can win the heart to God in Christ, make one love His name, His word, His ways, and His people, not at all like you ignorantly imagine. (Translation from the Finnish version.)

What is the respective Bible teaching then? We have already discussed it above. Salvation is based on the fact that Jesus Christ Himself kept the law for us. When we believe in Him, we will be granted the gift of salvation, grace and righteousness in that moment. We are not given these things because of our own merits or after a long journey of faith, but in that instant, when we welcome Jesus Christ into our lives and turn to Him.

In the following verses one should pay attention to the term "for". These verses show that the basis for salvation is in the work of another for us, and not in us. The basis of our salvation, and through that the assurance of salvation, is never in us, but always outside of us in the atonement of Christ; in what He did for us.

- (Rom 5:6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

- (Rom 5:8) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- (Rom 8:32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

- (Gal 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

- (Gal 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree

- (1 Thess 5:10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

- (Tit 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

- (1 John 3:16) Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

- (1 Tim 2:6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

- (1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

- (Hebr 6:20) Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

- (Isa 53:5-6) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

- (Rom 4:25) Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

What is the problem of a religious person? Many religious people, such as Mormons and other groups, have one big problem: They have never seen how they themselves are lost, separated from God and under his judgment. They do not understand the seriousness of their own condition and their sinfulness. They know of no particular sins that accuse them; or at most they can confess that they have committed some "little sins" that "don't matter so much". It is completely foreign to them to feel the inner corruption of their own hearts for the simple reason that they have never been with their whole being in the light of God's holiness and His law.

- (James 2:10) For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

- (Gal 3:10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

To know and recognize our own state is, however, especially pivotal. It is not important in itself, but precisely because in our inadequacy we would understand to turn to the Savior, Jesus. Only those who know their lost state and sinfulness can need the Savior. That is, if we have not first realized this fundamental aspect, we likely have not received salvation yet. The following passages, e.g., refer to our sinfulness, and lost state without Christ:

- (Isaiah 53:6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

- (Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

- (Luke 19:10) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

What must you do if you realize that you are separated from God, lost, and under God’s judgment? The answer is to rely on Jesus Christ and His atonement alone, and not on your own merits! Turn to Jesus Christ and tell Him that you need salvation, which you can only receive through Him as a gift. Jesus Himself said:

- (John 5:39,40) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

So, if you have turned to Jesus Christ and received Him into your life, you are a child of God and have eternal life. You have the eternal life regardless of what you feel right now. Do not base your assurance of salvation on your ever-changing emotions, but rest in the word of the Bible and on Jesus Christ, just like the anchor of a ship is never thrown inside the ship but always outside.

- (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name

- (1 John 5:11-13) And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.

13 These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.

The prayer of salvation: Lord, Jesus, I turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and have not lived according to Your will. However, I want to turn away from my sins and to follow You with all my heart. I also believe that my sins have been forgiven through Your atonement and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the salvation that You have given me. Amen.