Mormon Perfectionism?

 “Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble?...Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life. Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless” (Alma 5:27-29, The Book of Mormon).

Passages like these can be quite disheartening—I know that I cannot honestly answer them in the way I would like. I have moments of pride and envy, and have certainly not kept myself entirely blameless before God. So, if we interpret this kind of scripture literally, it is easy to feel hopelessly condemned. Likewise, it would be easy to conclude that we must be perfectly obedient in order to be saved. Both Mormons and non-Mormons have made this conclusion about Mormon soteriology. Some would even say that it is this doctrine that leads to the “toxic perfectionism” sometimes present in Mormon culture.

I am a Mormon myself, and I recognize that it is easy to read this works-based, legalistic, toxically perfectionistic soteriology into Mormonism. However, I personally believe that I have a grace-based mindset, and I contend that a complete understanding of Mormon scripture lends itself more towards my perspective than towards a works-based one.

One of the beautiful witnesses of this is The Book of Mormon itself, especially when one considers the story of its revelation.

The Book of Mormon was revealed to Joseph Smith three years after what is known as “the first vision,” in which God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Of those three years, Joseph Smith wrote, “During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three...I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. But I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company, etc., not consistent with that character which ought to be maintained by one who was called of God as I had been...In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections; when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him” (Joseph Smith History 1:28). 

It was in response to this prayer for forgiveness, after Joseph Smith recognized that he had not lived as he should have, especially after having had a divine epiphany, that The Book of Mormon was introduced to him. Thus, even in its revelation, it speaks of God’s mercy to fallen man. And this merciful outpouring continued.

A short time later, Joseph Smith was allowed to receive and to begin translating The Book of Mormon (for more information on Mormon beliefs about The Book of Mormon, click here). At that time, he was charged to be responsible for and attentive of that ancient record. He said that a part of this charge was, “that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off” (Joseph Smith History 1:59).

After translating 116 pages, Joseph Smith was somewhat careless in his treatment of that manuscript. He lent those pages to Martin Harris who in turn lost them. When Joseph Smith heard this, he moaned, “All is lost! all is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned—it is I who tempted the wrath of God.”  I believe he thought that he had not fulfilled his charge, and thus, that he had been cut off—that all had been lost.

However, a short time later, he received this revelation:

“Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them. And behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men. For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words—Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble. Behold, thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord, but because of transgression, if thou art not aware thou wilt fall. But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work” (D&C 3: 5-10).

The Book of Mormon, as we have it today, is what Joseph Smith was allowed by a very merciful God to translate, after not living up to specific commandments. We should remember this backstory as we read passages like the one quoted above. After all, we would not even have those verses if God did not graciously forgive a very imperfect man and then continue to work through him.

The God of The Book or Mormon and of Joseph Smith is a gracious, loving, and merciful God. Hallelujah.