“Sola Gratia” which is Latin for “By Grace Alone,” is one of the Five Solas, or five essential doctrines, of the Historic Christian faith that is completely distorted within Mormonism.

The Bible says at Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

The Grace that we receive for salvation is a “gift of God – not by works.” The Bible goes on to explain at Romans 11:6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

In other words, there is a clear distinction between salvation by works and salvation by grace. Either you are trusting your works, or you are trusting in Grace Alone to save you. You cannot have it both ways.

When the Mormon Church adds works to Grace for salvation, they change the very definition of Grace. In fact, their Bible Dictionary, actually says under the heading “Grace” that “This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.” (LDS Bible Dictionary, page 697)

“After they have expended their own best efforts”? How does that definition fit with the Biblical definition of Grace: “…if by grace, then is it no more of works?” Not only does Mormonism distort the meaning of Grace but Joseph Smith, changed it in his own Bible translation of Romans 4:5 where we read that God “justifieth the ungodly.” Instead, Joseph Smith wrote, God “justifieth not the ungodly.”

But if God does not justify the ungodly, how can anyone be saved? By changing the very definition of Grace, Mormonism distorts the Gospel of Christ and cannot be considered Christian.