(10/12/97)
"Very briefly, justification means 'to be declared righteous,' and also 'to be put back into the right relationship with a person.' Therefore, what Paul was saying is that no man can be made righteous and reestablish the proper relationship with God exclusively by the words of the Mosaic law or, for that matter, by any law of works alone. This can come only through the atoning sacrifice of the Savior and through the obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel." — LDS Institute Manual, The New Testament, Section 38-8

(10/13/97)
"Man unquestionably has impressive powers and can bring to pass great things by tireless efforts and indomitable will. But after all our obedience and good works, we cannot be saved from the effect of our sins without the grace extended by the atonement of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon puts us right. It teaches that 'salvation doth not come by the law alone' (Mosiah 13:28); that is, salvation does not come by keeping the commandments alone. 'By the law no flesh is justified- (2 Nephi 2:5). Even those who serve God with their whole souls are unprofitable servants (see . Mosiah 2:21). Man cannot earn his own salvation." — Dallin H. Oaks, General Conference, October 1988

(10/14/97)
"We bear record that [Jesus Christ] is the only mediator between man and God; that through his atoning sacrifice fallen man may be reconciled with God; and that he 'hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' (2 Tim. 1:10)." — Bruce R. McConkie, General Conference, October 1980

(10/15/97)
"One of the most pernicious doctrines ever advocated by man, is the doctrine of 'justification by faith alone,' which has entered into, the hearts of millions since the days of the so-called 'reformation.' Once a minister of this school said to me and my companion, Elder Stephen W. Walker, 'If all the Bible were lost except the ninth verse of the tenth chapter of Romans, it would be enough to save the world. This passage is:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
This man had done what thousands of others have done, separated a passage from its context, isolated it and had pinned his faith to it, rejecting the need of all else that is taught for the salvation of man. Then again, he had overlooked the fact that these words were written to those who were already by their works members of the Church. When I asked him to explain the meaning of the words of our Lord, and harmonize them he was unable to do so. These words are as follows:
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." — Joseph Fielding Smith, The Restoration of All Things, p.192

(10/16/97)
"Salvation, meaning eternal life, is reserved for the faithful. It is offered to all men in all ages on the same terms and conditions. 'The Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever,' Lehi says, 'and the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.' It is offered to man without money and without price; it is available to all because of the atonement. 'And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil.' The light of Christ is given to all men; all are guided by the still, small voice of conscience. 'And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off.' Obedience and good works would count for nothing if there were no atonement. 'Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.' Temporal and spiritual death would reign forever if there were no atonement. 'Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.' Salvation is for the obedient; it is their sins that are borne by Christ." — Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.108-109

(10/17/97)
"I want to comment about this one statement: 'by the Spirit ye are justified.' Now I've struggled with that statement, and I have found a definition that seems to indicate to me what I'm sure the Lord intended to convey. The definition that I think is significant says: 'Justify means to pronounce free from guilt or blame, or to absolve.' Now if the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is to pronounce one free from guilt or blame, or to absolve, then we begin to see something of the office of the Holy Ghost that relates to the subject about which we are talking: what it means to be born of the Spirit." — Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye In Holy Places, p.51-52

(10/18/97)
"Justification directly opens the way to sanctification by establishing a 'right' relationship of mortals with God. Thus, God, without denying justice, can bless them with the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost (Mosiah 5:1-2; 3 Ne. 27:20). Justification starts the believer on the path toward righteousness." — Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.2