Romans 9

Evangelicals like to use verse 29-30 in chapter 8 and chapter 9 to show how God chooses some for salvation and leaves the rest to damnation. They follow the teachings of John Calvin, a protestant reformer who wrote, "By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wised to happen with regard to every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, and others to eternal damnation. And accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestined to life or to death."

In my mind, this is a damnable doctrine and places limits on God's mercy and love. He loves all of his children. A God who would create children for the sole purpose of placing them in hell cannot be God. It is Satan who wishes to see God's children in hell and this false doctrine places God on the same level has Satan. This is a very conceited doctrine conceived in minds that have narrowed the vision of God by their own ignorance.

Paul is explaining to the Jews and their priesthood leadership that their lineage back to Abraham does not guarantee them salvation any more than the Law of Moses can save them. Man cannot determine who is saved, but God does and he makes that decision based on man's faith and obedience. With Israel's failure to accept the gospel, God had not failed since the gentiles can now be adopted into the house of Israel through their faith and obedience. Joseph Smith said this, "The whole of the chapter had reference to the Priesthood and the house of Israel; and unconditional election of individuals to eternal life was not taught by the Apostles. God did elect or predestinate, that all those who would (desire to) be saved, should be saved in Christ Jesus, and through obedience to the Gospel; but He passes over no man's sins, but visits them with correction, and if His children will not repent of their sins, He will discard them."

The problem comes when there is no understanding (like with Calvin) of a pre-mortal life. Because of obedience in the pre-mortal life, some are pre or fore-ordained to the House of Israel. They are chosen to be born into the church and fore-ordained to the priesthood and positions of leadership because of obedience in the pre-mortal life. They were chosen to take God's work and word to all of his other children. Some has to do this work and how would God choose who that would be? He would choose those who had been obedient to his word. But this does not limit the chance of salvation for any of God's children, and it does not guarantee salvation for the those who were fore-ordained in the pre-mortal life. We all must be obedient and faithful or the promise of salvation and exaltation are not in effect.