Martin Luther

Simple Statement of Principle: We are saved by grace.

Romans 5: 1-2
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Whenever I read this scripture, I inevitably think of Martin Luther. During the sixteenth century, Martin Luther (and the rest of the Catholic Church) believed that man and woman were fallen with no real hope for salvation. God's "righteousness" was the fact that He was a just God. When Luther read this scripture, though, he realized that the righteousness of God was the fact that through Christ (and our faith in Christ) we can be justified. For me, this is a really powerful scripture. I know that our works will affect our place in the hereafter, but I also have such a strong testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

President James E. Faust said, "Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement. Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully." I hope I'm still in the process of trying to understand the Atonement, but I'm also so incredibly grateful that I'm a part of the Lord's restored Church where I know Heavenly Father's plan of happiness.