In 2 Nephi 25, the Book of Mormon follows Paul quite nicely in teaching salvation by grace. Unfortunately, we (Mormons) tend to focus only on one phrase, and that, incorrectly. Verse 23 says: “…it is by grace that we are saved, AFTER ALL WE CAN DO.” We read the last five words as if in all CAPS.

If the chapter is read carefully, we see that Nephi, like Paul, is not teaching about the importance of works, but the opposite–the deadness of the law. And we ignore the rest of the verse, where the only works mentioned consist of sharing the news of Christs grace.

“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”

And if we were to continue reading, we would see that the only works Nephi is talking about are the law of Moses, which “hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments…Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ. “

Protestants should love this stuff! It’s only the “after all we can do” that seems out of place. Maybe we’re just understanding it wrong. Could it mean something more like this?

“…for we know that. AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, it is by grace that we are saved.”

(For a different way of looking at “after all we can do” in 2 Nephi 25, see The Centrality of Christ in Mormonism and the Mystery of Salvation by Grace after “All We Can Do”)

So, are works unnecessary? The most obvious work that is necessary for salvation is baptism. Then is salvation not free? Salvation is free (2 Nephi 2:4, “salvation is free”). But we must actively accept it, which involves intentional action and covenant. Let’s use a student grant to pay education costs as an analogy. A grant, by definition, is free money, but you generally have to fill out the application (a work) and agree to the terms (a covenant) to get the free money. No, you are not earning it by filling out the application. But you are qualifying for it. The Protestant doctrine of sola fide follows this principal. According to that doctrine, the only thing that we need TO DO to qualify ourselves for salvation is have faith in Christ. It is not faith that ultimately saves us, but grace. But we still have to have the faith to be saved because it qualifies us for (but does not earn) the grace.

See also “The Gift of Grace” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf