Enduring unto The End - Was timothy saved?

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that in order to receive eternal salvation in the kingdom of God, one must endure unto the end. There are, however, those who disagree with the Latter-day Saint belief; teaching that salvation is merely a one-time event, rather than a process. In my book, "The Holy Bible and Mormonism," I address this topic in great detail. I would like to share with you just a few excerpts from my book. In the second chapter of "The Holy Bible and Mormonism," I write about "Grace, Faith, and Works." On page 38, under the subtopic, "Enduring unto the End," I write the following: "Critics use certain Biblical verses such as 1 John 5:13 and John 6:47 to assert that one may enter into eternal life during the state of mortality. Phrases from these verses such as: 'ye have eternal life' or 'hath everlasting life' certainly do seem to be speaking in the present tense. However, these verses do not override other Biblical passages stating that eternal life is received at judgment. Occasionally, prophets and apostles speak of future events as if they are in the present tense. One example of this is in Isaiah 9:6 where a prophecy of Christ's birth states, 'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given' long before Jesus was actually born (see also Isaiah 53:5-12). In proper perspective, there is assurance that we all have eternal life waiting for us; but based on certain conditions that are mentioned in Scripture." Earlier in the chapter, on page 12, I explain: "In the Bible are found many instances where Christ or some other authority has stated what is necessary either to do or not to do in order to be saved or to enter heaven. Latter-day Saints believe that each of these requirements is important and none should be excluded. One example is found in the book of Matthew, where Jesus made one such requirement very clear. 'Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven' (Matthew 7:21)." Other Bible verses that speak of salvation essentials are as follows: We must believe. We must repent. We must be baptized. We must confess with our mouth that Jesus is the Christ. We are saved through grace. We must obey Christ. We must do His commandments. We must do the Father's will. We must endure unto the end. This brings us to Timothy. Back on page 38 of "The Holy Bible and Mormonism," I continue, explaining: "In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us that we must 'endure unto the end' to be saved. Clearly, being saved involves more than one-time experience. Paul's epistle to Timothy also gives us insight on how we can receive salvation and help others to come unto Christ by enduring to the end, or continually believing and doing that which we have been taught. Although Timothy already had faith in Christ (1 Timothy 1:2), Paul teaches him how to be saved as if it is a forthcoming event. 'Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee' (1 Timothy 4:16)." So, I ask you; was Timothy saved? Through his faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice, Timothy was forgiven, or saved from his sins. There is no other way for this to happen. However, as Paul stated, it is through Timothy's willingness to continually walk in Christ's path that would lead to another aspect of salvation, which is eternal life. The same applies to all of God's children. We must become "a new creature." This is not something that occurs from a one-time event; but rather a process. For example, one may accept Christ as their Savior and receive forgiveness for their sins; and then later turn away from him and re-embrace a life of sin. The Apostle Peter writes about this possibility in his second epistle. 'For IF after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire' (2 Peter 2:20-22). This is clearly talking about people who "have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"—these people were saved from their sins; then they were "again entangled" in them. They turned away from Jesus Christ. Now, this doesn't mean that they can't come back—of course Jesus is going to accept them back. What it's saying is, if they do not return to Christ, they will remain in a state far worse than before they ever accept Him. Indeed, if Timothy endured unto the end, as all evidence shows he did, then he is saved, according to Christ's promise, and he will receive the gift of eternal life. Let us all press on with faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice and living the gospel he taught; so that we may return to his presence.