Overview and Observations: "Grace to Become" by Emily Belle Freedman

Welcome to another episode of the Witnessing Christ Podcast! In this session, we continue our short series reviewing Latter-day Saint books on grace—this time diving into Grace to Become by Emily Belle Freeman.

Mark, Molly, and Grace unpack the second installment in Freeman’s grace-themed trilogy, exploring the LDS concept of “exalting grace” and how it differs significantly from the biblical gospel. This book builds on the previous volume (Grace Where You Are), shifting the focus from comfort in hardship to striving for godhood through personal effort and divine assistance.

In this episode, the team thoughtfully engages with Freeman’s language of “becoming like God,” her views on motivation and self-improvement, and her portrayal of grace as a ladder we climb rather than a gift we receive. Along the way, they contrast this with the biblical message of grace—God’s unearned favor given to the undeserving, not to enable progress toward exaltation, but to give righteousness, restore relationship, and grant eternal life through Jesus.

Join us as we explore how to speak compassionately and clearly with LDS friends who are overwhelmed by the burden to become, and how to point them to the rest and rescue found only in Christ.

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FAIR USE NOTICE:

This podcast explores published works written by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a particular focus on topics such as grace, salvation, and the character of God. As part of our episodes, we occasionally quote excerpts from these copyrighted materials.

We do so under the Fair Use provisions of U.S. copyright law (17 U.S. Code § 107), which allow limited use of copyrighted content for commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. Our use is transformative, offering biblical responses, theological reflection, and practical witnessing tips to help Christians share the gospel in love and truth.

We want to make it clear: We do not intend to replace or reproduce the original works, nor do we seek to disparage their authors. Instead, our goal is respectful engagement, inviting honest dialogue around eternal questions and the hope found in Jesus Christ. All quoted content remains the property of its respective copyright holders.