Chapter 11: If “Saved by Grace,” Why the Need for “Good Works” and Obedience?Faith Without Works Is Dead

In brief

If salvation is by grace, why must Christians obey? Seaich answers that scripture offers no “once saved, always saved”: a person can fall from grace (D&C 20:32; Hebrews 6:4-6). Good works do not earn salvation, but genuine faith and repentance always produce them. As James wrote, “faith without works is dead.” Joseph Smith’s rendering, “justified by faith and works through grace” (JST Romans 4:16), expresses the same balance.

This page summarizes Chapter 11 of Understanding Mormonism: The Restored Gospel of Christ and Its Biblical Foundations in Latter-day Saint Belief by Eugene Seaich (2026 Annotated Edition, edited by Eric Hendrickson). The summary is quoted from the book’s “In brief” and is editorial material, not the author’s words. The full chapter, with its notes and argument, is in the book.

Independent scholarship by Eugene Seaich. Not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.