Matthew 19:25 + 26- Who then can be saved?

JESUS has just told his followers that rich people have as much chance at GOD's kingdom as a camel does walking through the eye of a needle...

King James Version

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying,
Who then can be saved?

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,
With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

This sounds wonderful, but it is not what JESUS really said.

Joseph Smith Translation

When his disciples heard this, they were exceedingly amazed, saying,

Who then can be saved?

But Jesus beheld their thoughts, and said unto them,

With men this is impossible; 
but if they will forsake all things for my sake,
with God whatsoever things I speak are possible.


Someone, somewhere decided to not offend rich people. He foolishly decided to change what CHRIST actually said. No doubt it was because rich people contribute to religions (so they can feel good about not repenting and not helping poor people), and we cannot offend people who might give us money. I am fairly certain that someone who deletes JESUS' actual words from a manuscript are not to be envied in the next life.

If the original version were hypothetically correct, then we have a GOD who can override agency and save people who do not merit it. No one really merits salvation. However, CHRIST shared His perfection with us to allow us to avoid suffering for our sins. Therefore, GOD can require that you have to share your time, money, talents, and energy with those around you. All of it!

The rich young ruler came face to face with his selfishness, and was found wanting. He was keeping all of the ten commandments to save himself. He was not willing to help others achieve temporal salvation in this life, so they could then focus more on spiritual things. I am no better than he was, but because of Joseph Smith, I have a better idea of what the actual standard for salvation is. If I do not forsake everything for GOD, GOD will not save me. I am not going to be surprised if I do not make the celestial bar, but at least I have a better idea of how high that bar is.

Finally, Tithing is meant for poor people, although the 15 false prophets of the Utah version of Mormonism believe differently. They think tithing money is to sustain their first-world lifestyles. The millions of LDS members who live in second and third-world countries are suppose to survive without ten percent of their meager incomes as a test of their faith. GOD will save the poor who were misguided but had unselfish hearts. I am sure HE will not save those who have a legitimate surplus of the world's goods and do not seek to elevate others. Just to be clear, GOD would love to save everyone, but he is not going to save paid clergy. 

Matthew 19- The Rich Young Ruler: Any killing is unacceptable to the LORD

King James Version of Matthew 19:18 
(here JESUS is listing the 10 basic commandments for the rich man who would like to know what else he can do to merit eternal life)

"...thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery..."

Joseph Smith's Version

"Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery..."

The only modification to the summary of commandments given at Sinai is a stipulation that we should not kill anyone for any reason. The Old Testament has the correct list, but some fool tried to slip one past us possibly to appease a rich person they knew who had killed someone. 

The people of Ammon (the anit-Nephi-Lehis) who allowed themselves to be killed rather than fight against their ethnic brethren the Laminates are certainly the celestial standard of this law. JESUS allowing himself to be killed when he could have easily prevented it, is the conclusive piece of evidence. If we want to live where GOD lives, we need to follow GOD's example. I would hate to be the guy saying "OK, JESUS I know you sacrificed your perfect life for all of us,  but that guy who stole my lawnmower had to go."

My guess is that the terrestrial standard is that self-defense is OK. 
I am fairly sure no one is going hell for that reason, but it might create a scenario where the self-defender also forfeits the greatest of 3 kingdoms of glory. Obviously the telestial standard is to kill whoever you want, and then spend a lot of time in a literal hell to suffer for your own sins. The more killing you do, the closer you get to Stalin and Hitler and other followers of Satan's plan.

I hope I never have to make a decision about whether or not to kill someone, because to me the only allowable reason to kill is if the LORD tells you to do so. Even a direct message from Heaven caused Nephi to hesitate before separating Laban's head from the rest of his body. 

I am sure about one true prophet since the days of early Christianity...Joseph Smith. I believe the JST was a mandate from GOD. Our acceptance of this divinely directed manuscript allows us to understand the gospel of JESUS CHRIST more clearly than any other version of the Bible.