Worthiness by Cheri Billingsley

Worthiness. This is a word I hear over and over when speaking with LDS friends. They must be worthy to receive their "callings." They must be worthy in order to enter the temple. They must be worthy to receive exaltation. Exactly what is meant by "worthiness"?

The New Concise Webster's Dictionary defines worthy as deserving. In Mormon Doctrine, Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie says:

"In gospel usage, worthiness has reference to meriting a blessing or reward because of obedience to that law upon which its receipt is predicated. Worthiness is determined solely on the basis of personal righteousness … For instance: Accountable persons who have faith and repent of their sins are worthy of baptism; church members who have 'a godly walk and conversation' are worthy to partake of the sacrament … and those who keep all of the standards of the Church are worthy of the blessings of the temple."

Since salvation or exaltation is the ultimate goal of the LDS, this definition brings up other questions. What are the standards of the church and what are the requirements for exaltation? In other words, what does it take for LDS to be worthy?

In Doctrines of Salvation, LDS Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith says:

"In order to obtain the exaltation we must accept the gospel and all its covenants; and take upon us the obligations which the Lord has offered; and walk in the light and understanding of the truth; and 'live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God."

A list of these ordinances and commands which must be kept can be found in Gospel Principles:

1. We must be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ
2. We must receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost
3. We must receive the temple endowment
4. We must be married for time and eternity
5. Love and worship God
6. Love your neighbor
7. Repent of our wrongdoings
8. Live the law of chastity
9. Pay honest tithes and offerings
10. Be honest in our dealings with others and with the Lord
11. Speak the truth always
12. Obey the Word of Wisdom
13. Search out our kindred dead and perform the saving ordinances of the gospel for them
14. Keep the Sabbath day holy
15. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament
16. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord
17. Have family and individual prayers every day
18. Honor our parents
19. Teach the gospel to others by word and example
20. Study the scriptures
21. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord

What a heavy, impossible burden to bear!

The Bible tells us that "There is no one righteous, not even one … there is no one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:10,12)." As our LDS family and friends suffer under the heavy burden imposed upon them by their church, let us continue witnessing to them, praying that their eyes may be opened and that they would realize that they will never measure up to God's standard, that they will never be worthy through their own efforts. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24)." May they come to the realization that in and of themselves they don't have to be worthy, all they have to do is accept the gift which God freely offers them … the gift of forgiveness, the gift of freedom, the gift of eternal life.

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