Troy Family Tales: What must I do to be saved?

Hello!

Glad to hear that y’all have been enjoying the weather! We’ve had some rain lately which has lowered the temperature, but the humidity has spiked so much that the temperature feels every bit as high! This week is in the low 90’s all week but the heat index says it’s supposed to feel like 100-102 😭

This week has been one with mixed emotions. Last night I was told I’m being transferred and honestly, I’m both saddened and relieved. Saddened because I think that in some measure, I have failed. I did not succeed in inspiring the zone to change. Relieved because now it is somebody else’s problem.

College Station has been good to me. I’ve had three baptisms here, and a fourth I found and taught was baptized a few months ago by my successors in Brenham, and a fifth will be baptized by Elder Palmer on September first. If only I could have shared that success with everyone here!

I’ll be leaving the zone saddened and disappointed. I am optimistic, however, that my replacement will have whatever is required to solve the problems that this zone has.

I’ve resolved with the next 3 months of my mission to give everything. I am recommitting to be focused and diligent and have decided that these will be the best three months — most diligent, spiritual, and obedient — out of all 24.

Please support me in that effort by helping me to stay focused on my purpose!

Lately I’ve been working on a vast personal study which has broadened and deepened my understanding of ‘The Gospel of Jesus Christ’. I though I would share what I have learned.

While ‘The Gospel of Jesus Christ’ is a pretty vague term, I would summarize it as the answer to the question ‘what must I do to be saved’? This questions has been debated and even warred over for thousands of years. Many good Christians (and members of other faiths) come to different conclusions about the answer to this question in their various sects. Here in the Bible belt, this question seems to be debated more than any other — as it is the core theme of Jesus Christ’s teachings.

Occasionally, however, we are given an incontrovertible answer in the scriptures. I have sought to find every inarguable statement by Jesus Christ or his Apostles about what is required to be saved, and the results have been surprising. I have not yet finished compiling everything from the Book of Mormon, so I’ll focus on the New Testament.

I found 75 passages of scripture in the New Testament (so far) which directly address the issue of being saved. Some passages are single verses, some are longer parables. I looked for any time the savior spoke about being saved, eternal life, the Kingdom of Heaven, or the Kingdom of God.

First, what does the bible say we are saved by?

1. Jesus Christ (8 times)

2. Knowledge or The Truth (6 times)

3/4. Grace/Faith (4 times, each)

5/6. Baptism/Works (1 time, each)

What does it say we should do to be saved?

1. Keep the commandments (16 times)

2. Have faith (12 times)

3. Endure to the end (6 times)

4. Be baptized (5 times)

5/6. Repent/Lose your life (4 times, each)

7. Become as a little child (3 times)

8/9. Be poor in spirit/have proper authority (2 times, each)

10. Receive the Holy Ghost (1 time)

What does it say prevents us from being saved?

1. Sin (14 times)

2. Lack of faith (6 times)

3/4. Love of wealth/being unlike a little child (3 times, each)

5. Save one’s own life (2 times)

6/7. Be unbaptized/fail to endure to the end (1 time, each)

Interestingly, I observed that Christ is frequently separated from Grace and Faith in the New Testament. The Book of Mormon more frequently attaches Grace to Jesus Christ, as well as Faith. (IE The Bible says ‘Grace’ vs. the Book of Mormon more frequently says ‘The Grace of Jesus Christ’)

Christ and his apostles clearly taught us of the necessity of keeping the commandments. This was the highest priority in his teaching. Faith came second, and was also a high priority. I was also surprised to see how frequently ‘endure to the end’ came up in my study!

I’m excited to finish this study with the Book of Mormon now so I can compare the results of the two.

Have a great week everyone!

Elder Derek Troy