We DO go by the Bible. The Book of Mormon is a companion to it, another Testament of Christ. Period. It clarifies some lost plain and precious truths that have been changed down through the ages. And it applies to our day.

Oh - and we don't believe in "Universal salvation." Just don't believe in a literal burning hell. We will all be resurrected, but those who do not accept Christ's atonement and repent (I believe you've covered that point before Bex) will have to pay the full price for their own sins. And the celestial is not reserved for "Mormons" but those who accept the fullness of the Gospel. Yes - baptism is an important part of that...fulfillment of all commandments. Jesus did it as our example. It is required. So proxy baptism will be offered to all those who died without a knowledge of the truth. Only God (as in Jesus who will be our judge) can judge the heart on who really had a chance to know and understand the truth but rejected it. Its like I told my cousin, though. Believing God will punish people eternally for not having faith is akin to child abuse. WE ARE HIS CHILDREN WHO HE LOVES. If we understand the life we could have had. Think about it. Just like IT SAYS IN CORINTHIANS. The differences in the different degrees of glory will be as in the different between the sun, moon and stars.... BIG differences. But God will still...always love his children. It is only in the celestial kingdom that we will be allowed to live in his presence. God cannot allow the least degree of sin. Its not about works, its about growing and becoming Christ like through faith and repentance. Being open to eternal progression. If we don't see the error of our ways, we won't change them. Humility is about continually learning.... Faith is not sufficient without repentance. Do you not believe in sanctification? We grow as people through service. That is why its stressed. I can't serve in some of the "classic" ways, so I serve in other ways. And I'm happiest when I'm doing that. I'm trying to decide now how I want to serve career wise. I have a need for meaning in my life. To make it count for something in helping others. Why would you refer to that as a bad thing? (What you are calling works). A person wrapped up in themselves makes for a small package.