“Even if the Mormon Church were Not True, It’s Still a Good Way to Live” – But, what if it KEPT YOU from Entering Heaven? Let’s Investigate (KJV)

August 30, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

(The views expressed in this article are my personal interpretations of the Bible, particularly concerning biblical prophecy and the end times. They have come to me through endless study of the scriptures, as well as frequent prayerful searching for TRUTH. They are offered for discussion, study, and personal reflection. I do not claim special revelation, nor do I speak on behalf of any church, denomination, religious organization, or its leaders. Readers are encouraged to study the Scriptures for themselves, seek God’s guidance through prayer, and draw their own conclusions.)

I have often heard the argument among Latter-day Saints that, ‘Even if the Church were not true, it is still a good way to live.’

As a lifelong former member of this church, I can understand why a person would believe this way. There are many positive aspects of the church. But today, my writing is not about challenging that statement, but to expose something that church members are not even aware of.

Did you know that the only requirement to enter heaven is NOT taught by the Mormon church? THIS IN ITSELF IS SUBSTANCIAL.

Can you imagine, living a good religious life, and fulfilling everything that the church has taught you to do, only to find that when you die, you are being denied entrance to “heaven?!?”

Your experience on this earth was “A Good Way to Live,” but your trusted “church” did not teach you the very requirement that was necessary to live with God for eternity in “heaven!” What difference did it make to live “A Good Way to Live” if it prevented you from knowing what was really necessary to get into heaven?

Scripture talks about this very thing happening to some “religious people”:

Matthew 7:21–23 — KJV

21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

What makes this passage so sobering is that these people are religious. They call Jesus “Lord.” They claim to have prophesied in His name. They point to their “many wonderful works.”

Yet notice what they point to when defending themselves: their works.

Jesus doesn’t say, “I knew you once, but then you lost your salvation.” He says:

“I NEVER knew you.”

Religion, church membership, ordinances, and good works cannot substitute for personally knowing and trusting Jesus Christ.

So, let me share what the “Gospel of Jesus Christ” actually teaches about this ONE REQUIREMENT that a person needs to fulfill to make it into “heaven.”

Jesus teaches this personally when He spoke to Nicodemus. You know this man, right?

Nicodemus was highly respected, educated, religious, and accomplished. John tells us that he was “a man of the Pharisees” and “a ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1 KJV), meaning he belonged to a strict religious group devoted to knowing and observing the law and held a position of considerable religious authority. Jesus even called him “a master of Israel” (John 3:10), indicating that Nicodemus was recognized as a teacher of Scripture.

By outward religious standards, Nicodemus seemingly had everything going for him—knowledge, position, devotion, respectability, and religious works. Yet when this accomplished religious leader came personally to Jesus, Christ did not tell him that his religion or accomplishments were sufficient. Instead, Jesus went directly to the heart of the matter:

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

…and then made it unmistakably personal:

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:7 KJV).

Nicodemus is therefore a powerful example that a person can be deeply religious, respected, knowledgeable, and devoted to good works—and still need to be born again through Jesus Christ.

There it is right there… You MUST be “Born Again” to “see the kingdom of heaven.”

Let me prove a point here. I’d like for you current members of the church to answer this question, “Have YOU been born again?”

Many of you will respond, “YES, I’ve been baptized and confirmed.” Do you realize that this is NOT what being born again actually means?

When you come to learn what being Born Again really means, you too could see the deception that the adversary has placed over your mind, thinking that you already met this one and only requirement…which you may have not yet met.

Jesus also warned us about this very thing happening to the “Very Elect” in this scripture teaching:

Matthew 24:24 — KJV

“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.”

The adversary has actually used RELIGION to deceive the very elect into thinking that they have done enough to enter heaven, and hidden the one and only requirement from them through a false teaching of a religion, or “false prophet”. How can I make this claim?

Because a “false prophet” as mentioned in this scripture, would be over a religious institution, influencing the doctrine and teachings of that church. If that religion left out this Born-Again teaching, you can therefore conclude that through religion, the adversary would be able to deceive the very elect.

Being Born Again

I am not judging anyone, for only God truly knows the hearts of all mankind. What I am doing—and what I want to proclaim from the housetops—is pointing people back to what Jesus Christ Himself taught about being born again.

This is far too important to leave to religious tradition, denominational teaching, or the opinions of men. Jesus said plainly, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7 KJV). So let us go directly to HIM and His Words and learn what Jesus taught about this absolutely necessary and life-changing spiritual birth.

Jesus Christ taught that a person must be born again spiritually, not merely become more religious or perform enough good works. When Nicodemus wondered how someone could physically be born a second time, Jesus explained, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). This was a spiritual birth—a work of God within a person.

Jesus then explained how a person receives eternal life: by believing in Him. He compared Himself to the serpent Moses lifted up in the wilderness, saying, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15 KJV).

Then came perhaps His clearest statement: “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 3:16).

Jesus therefore did not teach Nicodemus that he needed a particular church, greater religious achievement, or enough good works to earn salvation. He taught him that he needed a new spiritual birth through faith in the Son of God—turning from confidence in himself and placing his trust in Jesus Christ for everlasting life.

Your first birth gave you physical life. Being born again gives you spiritual life. It isn’t simply becoming a better version of yourself; something spiritually new takes place, IMMEDIATELY.

Paul later describes this transformation:

2 Corinthians 5:17 — KJV

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

(There are No official STEPS in becoming born again, but let me share the teachings that are taught in the New Testament.)

1. Recognize that you are a sinner who needs a Savior

Being born again begins with understanding why we need Christ in the first place.

Romans 3:23 — KJV

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

No amount of religion changes that condition. Neither church attendance, ordinances, charitable works, nor trying to become a better person can erase our sin.

And Scripture tells us the consequence:

Romans 6:23 — KJV

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Notice the word “gift.”

Salvation isn’t wages God owes us for good behavior. It is something God gives us through Jesus Christ.

2. Understand what Jesus did for you

The Gospel begins with what Christ accomplished, not what we accomplish.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 — KJV

“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Jesus took the penalty for our sins upon Himself.

1 Peter 2:24 — KJV

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…”

Being born again therefore begins with recognizing:

I cannot save myself. Jesus Christ has done for me what I could never do for myself.

3. Repent and turn toward God

Jesus preached:

Mark 1:15 — KJV

“Repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

Biblical repentance involves a genuine turning of heart and mind toward God. It isn’t purchasing forgiveness by performing enough good deeds.

And did you catch that…”Believe the gospel?” What gospel is Jesus referring to?

It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ as He and His apostles taught when they were on the earth, and NOTHING Else. Let’s consider something very important here.

Galatians 1:8–9 — KJV

8 “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.

9 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 repeats the same message to convey the importance of the message. Not even an angel can teach a different gospel than that which Jesus and His apostles taught.

All of the gospel teachings need to be tested against the scriptures of the New Testament to validate their truthfulness, and this is where the Mormon church gets into trouble.

Joseph Smith did not restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he CHANGED it… Substantially. You can find this out for yourself by comparing the doctrine Jesus taught against the doctrine of the Mormon church. They are not the same, as you have been deceived to believe.

Back to the scripture, Mark 1:5, Paul described it as:

Acts 20:21 — KJV

“Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is a profound difference between saying, “I’ll make myself righteous enough for God,” and saying, “Lord, I am a sinner. I need Your mercy. I am trusting Jesus Christ to save me.”

Can you see the difference here?

4. Believe—place your faith in Jesus Christ

This is exactly where Jesus took Nicodemus.

After telling him “Ye must be born again,” Jesus explained:

John 3:14–15 — KJV

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

And then:

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.”

This is more than merely believing that Jesus existed. It means placing your confidence in Him.

You stop trusting yourself to save yourself.

You stop trusting your religious accomplishments, or temple rituals to save you.

You trust ONLY in Jesus Christ to save you, by accepting His gift of the atonement into your own life, by faith.

5. Receive Christ

John describes salvation personally:

John 1:12–13 — KJV

“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:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

That last phrase is crucial:

“Born…of God.”

You don’t manufacture the new birth yourself. God produces it.

6. Confess Jesus Christ and believe from the heart

Paul puts it beautifully:

Romans 10:9–10 — KJV

“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.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

And then:

Romans 10:13 — KJV

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Again—whosoever.

7. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within the believer

Something wonderful happens when a person genuinely believes the Gospel.

Paul says:

Ephesians 1:13 — KJV

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

This helps explain what Jesus meant by being “born of the Spirit.”

The believer now belongs to Christ.

Romans 8:9 — KJV

“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

8. Good works then follow—they don’t cause the new birth

This distinction is extremely important.

This gives us the order:

Ephesians 2:8–10 — KJV

8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Notice:

Grace → Faith → Salvation → New life → Good works.

Not:

Good works → Church → Ordinances → Eventually earn salvation.

Good works are evidence of a changed life, but they aren’t the payment for eternal life.

If you believe that Salvation is only after “ALL that you can do FIRST,” you have been deceived as simp0ly put in this scripture. Let’s look at it again:

Ephesians 2:8–10 — KJV

8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

If you believe that you have anything to do with being saved, other than having faith and repenting, you have not been Born Again. If you believe that your religion is REQUIRED to be saved, you have been deceived. If you believe that you must have a temple ordinance for salvation, you have been deceived. If you believe that if you don’t pay tithing, you will be burned at His coming, you have been deceived.

And most importantly, if you believe that Being Born Again has been fulfilled because of your baptism and conformation, you have been deceived, and are likely NOT Born Again.

Being born again occurs when a person genuinely believes in and receives Jesus Christ. It is not presented as a process of taking time accumulating enough good works until God eventually declares someone born again.

Let me share something else that is very important. As we’ve learned, if a person is Born Again, they can enter into the kingdom of heaven. That in itself is quite comforting! But there is something that will shortly take place that is an urgent reason for a person to have become “Born Again” or to be “in Christ.”

This is an End-Times Prophecy referred to as the Rapture. It is not something a person must believe in, for it will happen regardless of a person’s belief. It is God’s plan, for the end times “rescue,” before the Seven-Year Tribulation Period begins:

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 — KJV

16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 — KJV

51 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

There is SO MUCH gospel teachings in these two scriptures. Let’s begin with the requirement of who will be raptured. It states that those “in Christ,” first the dead, then we which are alive. What does it mean to be “in Christ?”

Being “in Christ” describes the new spiritual position a person receives when they are born again through faith in Jesus Christ. The connection is beautiful: when a person hears the Gospel, genuinely believes and trusts in Jesus Christ, they are “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13), pass “from death unto life” (John 5:24), and become a “new creature” in Christ.

Therefore, being born again is not merely becoming religious or improving your behavior—it is God giving you new spiritual life and placing you in Christ. This is why the Rapture passage specifically says “the dead in Christ shall rise first.” The essential question is not simply What church did you belong to? but are you in Christ—have you been born again through faith in Him?

So, if a person has been Born Again, they are “in Christ” and will be included in God’s rescue plan of the Rapture.

Those raptured will avoid the awful seven-year period where God will judge the earth with His wrath. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” There is tremendous comfort in knowing that you will be spared from the Final Seven Years on Earth.

Another Powerful gospel teaching within this first scripture is that, from the moment of the rapture, throughout all eternity, “so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Can you see the significance here? Wherever Jesus Christ goes, we will be there with Him. When He rides His horse from the skies to come to earth to defeat evil at the battle of Armageddon, we will be riding along side of Him. The wedding feast of Christ, we will be there. The judgment seat of Christ, we will be there. The 1,000-year millennial reign, we will be there. And finally, in the new heaven that He will create, again WE WILL BE THERE.

Becoming Born Again is the assurance that we will soon meet Jesus Christ in the air, and will forever be with Him. There is NOTHING else that you need to be concerned about… NOTHING!

But what about my sins, and have I done enough good works? If these are your concerns, you CLEARLY have not yet been born again. Because of Jesus Christ’s atonement, and our receiving His gift through faith, and our repentance, we HAVE NO SIN…NONE!

Have we done enough? Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the root. Good works are not required to enter heaven. It is only through Jesus Christ.

I invite you to study the “Judgment Seat of Christ” as written in the New Testament. Here you will see that during this “Judgment”, which is only for those who have been born again, they have no sins, rather they receive “Crowns of Glory” for the good deeds which they have done upon the earth. God’s judgment here is not about punishment, rather it is about recognition for our good works and receiving “crowns” for those accomplishments.

And for those NOT born again, consider studying the Great White Thorne Judgment which will take place at the end of the 1,000-year millennial period. This is a very different judgment, for these people will be responsible for all of their sins, for they have not accepted the gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ. They must answer for all of the things that they have done wrong, and will receive judgment that sends them into the “Lake of Fire.”

This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as He and His apostles taught which is recorded in the New Testament. It DOES NOT MATTER what a person believes, for there is only ONE truth. God’s plan will progress as HE has outlined.

There will not be a special set of rules and events for Mormons, and another for Jews or Catholics. There will be only One God, One Heaven, And One eternity laid out, and people will fall under the jurisdiction and judgement of what God has planned for each of them.

Is it worth investigating the truth of what I have written? An easier question to answer is “Do you want to be here during the most terrible time on earth?

For those of you who are comfortable on the couch of your religion, waiting for a “prophet,” to tell them what they need to know, you have already answered this question. For those of you with a “wait and see” plan, you will soon see that you have missed God’s rescue plan of the Rapture, and will be STUCK on this earth to face God’s wrath.

For if you had studied, you would have learned that one of the purposes of the Tribulation Period is to humble those who are stubborn, to accept the atonement of Jesus Christ, through the hardships that He will create during this final period of time.

I thank God each day for the TRUTH that He has led me to. This scripture sums up me feelings 100%:

John 8:32 KJV

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

There are only a couple of weeks for you to satisfy the question of if you are “Born Again” or not? I encourage all of you to spend time studying the New Testament, and the teachings of Christ relating to this important Gospel Principle… of How to be Born Again.

Your Spiritual Future rests on this one important principle.