If salvation is by grace, not works—made possible through Jesus’ atonement for humanity’s transgressions—then how do men attain exaltation? On a parallel: if “justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true,” and also “sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true,” then of what have men to boast, even if they “serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength” (Doctrine & Covenants 20:30–31)?
Says Isaiah, “Even all that we have accomplished you [Jehovah] have done for us” (Isaiah 26:12). If men, therefore, are to “be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness” (Doctrine & Covenants 58:27), what does that avail? If they are to “be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works,” is there a difference between the “everlasting salvation and eternal life” that follow (Mosiah 5:15)?
Indeed, justification is synonymous with salvation; and sanctification qualifies one for exaltation. The “works” required to attain each, however, differ in the degree of faith exercised and the sacrifices made in the course of serving God with all of one’s heart, might, mind, and strength. Thus follows Jesus’ calling of Latter-day Saints to “labor diligently, that you may be perfected in your ministry to go forth among the Gentiles for the last time” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:84).
As all are “judged every man according to their works” (Revelation 20:12–13; 3 Nephi 27:14), what of those who, like John the Beloved “desired that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before done”? Didn’t he attain seraph status or a translated state when Jesus made him as a “flaming fire and a ministering angel” (Doctrine & Covenants 7:5–6)? Will there be seraphs-in-waiting as the gospel turns from the Gentiles to the house of Israel?
