Simple Steps that Assure a Person Will Go to Heaven – It’s NOT What Your Church is Teaching You – A Must Read if You Are Looking for Peace Right Now (KJV)

July 19, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, we realize that this mortal life is just temporary, and that we will spend ETERNITY living somewhere else after we die. Forever is such a long time, would you agree?

So, if this next life is permanent, doesn’t it make perfect sense to study and prepare for the BEST POSSIBLE outcome, so that when we die, we will be in the very best place possible? Makes perfect sense, right?

Sadly, there are many different organizations that teach about how a person gets to “heaven,” which we have to conclude is the very best possible place to be. It is where God will dwell, and this is the place that I want to be after I die.

I come from a church that teaches so many untruths, that it puzzles me why I believed all of their teaching for as long as I did. It was a constant struggle “uphill” trying to earn my way into heaven.

They taught that returning to live with God in the highest degree of heaven involves more than simply believing in Jesus Christ. Members are taught that they must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, be baptized by proper priesthood authority, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and faithfully endure to the end by keeping God’s commandments.

They are also taught the importance of participating in temple ordinances, including the endowment and celestial marriage, honoring sacred covenants, following the guidance of living prophets, and striving to remain worthy throughout their lives.

The Church also emphasizes that faithful obedience to these covenants and ordinances is necessary to receive the fulness of exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Oh, and yes…A person must pay a full tithing directly to the church, or they will be “Burned at the Coming of Jesus Christ.”

To sum their teaching up, Heaven must be earned by doing “all that a person can do” as well as participate in religious rituals in order to make it into heaven.

But I have come to realize that these steps to get to heaven were taught by Joseph Smith, and not Jesus Christ. Would you like to learn the teachings of Jesus Christ as it relates to how a person gets to heaven? I did, and when I learned what I am about to share with you, it changed my entire life!

First off, understand that Jesus Christ came to the earth to accomplish at least two things:

1. Fulfill the Atonement

2. Teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Think back for just a moment. Before Jesus came to the earth, the “gospel” that was preached on earth at the time was what is recorded in the Old Testament, often referred to as the Law of Moses.

The Law of Moses prepared people for Christ; the Gospel of Jesus Christ reveals the fulfillment of everything the Law foreshadowed. The Law pointed to the Savior. The Gospel proclaims that the Savior has come.

When Jesus Came to earth, He taught a “fulfilling gospel” that is recorded in the New Testament. He taught many things that were different from what the Jewish people were practicing. This didn’t just happen by itself; it happened because of what Jesus actually taught while He was on the earth. He taught the “Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

And in His teachings, He showed us the steps that we should take to get to heaven. Directly from Him, and not through a church or a man proclaiming to be a prophet. Let’s focus on what Jesus Christ taught, for these are His true teachings.

If we focus solely upon what Jesus Christ taught in the New Testament (KJV), the message is remarkably simple. Jesus did not teach a long list of religious ordinances, temple ceremonies, or requirements for earning salvation. Instead, He taught that eternal life is received through faith in Him, resulting in a new birth by the Holy Spirit.

Steps to Get into Heaven – As Taught by Jesus Christ

Here are the steps, in the order they appear in Jesus’ teachings:

1. Realize that you are a sinner

Jesus taught that no one is righteous enough on their own. We are ALL sinners, and know that we need the atonement of Jesus Christ in order to be forgiven of our sins.

Luke 5:32
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Mark 2:17
“…I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

2. Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

Jesus repeatedly taught that believing in Him is essential.

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 6:40
“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.“

(“Raise him up at the last day is also a rapture teaching)

3. Be Born Again

Jesus said this is absolutely necessary.

John 3:3
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:5
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

The new birth is a work of God that takes place when a person places their faith in Jesus Christ. It cannot be earned through religious performance, good works, or church ordinances. It is not something you accomplish—it is something God does within you. The moment you place your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior, God gives you new spiritual life. You are born again by His grace, becoming His child and receiving the gift of eternal life.

4. Repent

Repentance means turning to God with a changed heart and mind. Repentance also shows God that you have faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ, and that because of this, you are forgiven for your sins.

Luke 13:3
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Repentance accompanies genuine faith—it is a turning away from trusting sin and self, and a turning toward Christ.

5. Receive Jesus Christ

Jesus taught that those who receive Him become God’s children.

John 1:12
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”

Biblically, receiving Jesus means welcoming Him by faith—trusting Him as your Savior rather than trusting your own works or religious performance. It is not merely agreeing that Jesus existed; it is personally placing your confidence in His death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins.

6. Trust completely in what Jesus accomplished

Jesus declared that His work was complete.

John 19:30
“It is finished.”

Salvation rests on Christ’s finished work rather than on our own ability to earn God’s favor. These were the very last words from Jesus Christ. He was declaring that His atoning sacrifice was finished, and complete. He was also declaring that His teaching of His gospel was also complete.

These are the steps to get into heaven. When a person becomes Born Again, they have a desire to do good works, follow His commandments and serve others. While these things are important, they are NOT Requirement to get into heaven, but the FRUIT of belonging to Jesus Christ.

What Jesus did NOT teach as requirements for entering heaven

In the Gospel accounts, Jesus did not teach that a person must:

• Join a particular church.
• Participate in temple ceremonies.
• Earn salvation through good works.
• Pay money to obtain eternal life.
• Achieve personal perfection before coming to Him.

This is such an important part in your understanding of what Jesus taught. A person goes to heaven by accepting and believing in the atonement of Jesus Christ, and has NOTHING to do with our church, or ourselves and good works. It is ONLY because of His sacrifice of the atonement, and us RECEIVING this gift by becoming “Born Again” as He taught in the New Testament.

He invited people to come to Him in faith.

John 6:47
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

John 5:24
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Now, if this sounds like something that is “too easy” to do, therefore it must not be true, I’d like to share a personal example from Jesus Christ with you.

The thief on the cross

The thief who hung on a cross next to Jesus, had no opportunity to perform religious works, be baptized, join a church, or live a changed life after that moment. He simply acknowledged Jesus and trusted Him. Here is that conversation:

Luke 23:42-43

“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

This account illustrates that entrance into God’s kingdom is based on Christ’s grace received through faith, not on a lifetime of accumulated religious works. The thief believed that Jesus Christ was the Savior. He believed in Him, and had faith in His teachings. He accepted and called Jesus Lord.

Jesus promised him that he would be with Christ in Paradise on that same day. Many Christians understand Paradise to mean the place where believers go immediately after death to be with the Lord. It is a place of joy, peace, and conscious fellowship with God while awaiting the future resurrection of the body.

In summary

According to Jesus’ teaching in the New Testament (KJV):

1. Recognize your need as a sinner.
2. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the promised Messiah.
3. Repent—turn to God.
4. Be born again through faith in Christ.
5. Receive Jesus as your Savior.
6. Trust entirely in His finished work on the cross.

This understanding is reinforced throughout the New Testament. For example, Paul writes:

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Christ Wants Us to Know – Right Now – That We Will Be with Him in Heaven When We Die

Jesus taught that those who have believed on Him can know they have eternal life. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in constant fear or uncertainty about salvation, but in confidence based on what Christ has accomplished. Let’s look again at these scriptures to understand them further.

John 3:16 (KJV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jesus does not say believers might have everlasting life. He says they have it.

John 5:24 (KJV)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Notice the certainty:

• Hath everlasting life (present possession).
• Shall not come into condemnation.
• Is passed from death unto life.

John 6:47 (KJV)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Again, eternal life is described as a present possession.

John 10:27–29 (KJV)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

Jesus gives strong assurance that His sheep are secure in Him.

John 11:25–26 (KJV)

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?“

Jesus invites people to trust His promise.

1 John 5:11–13 (KJV)

Although written by the Apostle John rather than spoken by Jesus, these verses summarize Christ’s teaching:

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…”

God says believers can know they have eternal life—not merely hope or wonder.

Jesus’ desire for His followers

Jesus also said:

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.“ (John 15:11, KJV)

And:

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.“ (John 14:27, KJV)

The assurance of salvation brings peace and joy because it rests on Christ’s finished work rather than our own performance.

So, why do churches teach so many conflicting requirements to get into heaven? As I have studied this intently for the past 4 years, I have seen a consistent theme that answers that question. This might surprise some of you, but I ask that you pray and ask God if this is indeed the truth.

Remember, the adversary is doing all that he can to misguide us, and even lead people away from Jesus Christ. He doesn’t always do this with the obvious temptation and sin plan, he does things subtlety as well.

If he were to influence religious leaders into teaching things that seem to be “godly” but are merely a counterfeit “religion,” many people would follow those teachings, thinking that they were coming from God.

God actually give us a very clear warning that this will indeed occur. I want you to read this scripture as if God was writing this directly to you, and not just “other people.”

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
— Matthew 24:24 (KJV)

These church leaders will deceive the very elect. They will do this with teachings that are not the same as the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Let me share another very helpful scripture with you.

Galatians 1:8–9 (KJV)
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

Paul’s point is that “we” meaning Jesus Christ and the apostles who accompanied Jesus on the earth, teach any other gospel that what they were teaching, we are NOT to believe that gospel teaching. He also meant that the true gospel does not change. Its authority rests in the message given by Jesus Christ, not in the status or identity of the messenger. Even if the messenger were:

• an apostle (“we”),
• an angel from heaven,
• or any other person,

they are not to be believed if they proclaim a different gospel than the one already delivered.

This passage is one of the New Testament’s strongest warnings to test every teaching against the gospel already revealed, rather than accepting it because of the reputation or claimed authority of the messenger.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. I invite you to study this rather than the confusing doctrine that I believe has been influenced by the adversary to keep you from knowing the true gospel that Jesus taught.

You can KNOW that you are headed to heaven when you die. You can also know for CERTAINTY that you will be included in God’s rescue plan of the rapture which will soon take place. The requirements are both the same…being “Born Again” by accepting Jesus Christ into your life, and repenting of your sins…Repent directly to God in prayer, and not through a church.

There is no better feeling of comfort in KNOWING that you will be with God forever. If you haven’t already done so, follow the above 6 steps, and place your faith in Jesus Christ. Do it RIGHT NOW, and this spiritual rebirth will happen Right Now as well.