During the Sermon on the Mount, which was a sermon designed as an MTC lesson to the apostles, the Lord held a Q&A session (see the JST), and here is what He heard with respect to the Jewish leaders and their acceptance of the restored gospel:
And then said his disciples unto him, they will say unto us, We ourselves are righteous, and need not that any man should teach us.
[How many times have missionaries heard this response from Christian neighbors when presented with more of the gospel? We have a bible and need no more bible, etc?]
God, we know, heard Moses and some of the prophets; but us he will not hear. And they will say, We have the law for our salvation, and that is sufficient for us.
[They have the Aaronic priesthood which is not unto salvation. They are apostate and have corrupted the Law of Moses. The apostles know this and are charged with taking the gospel to all people.]
Then Jesus answered, and said unto his disciples, thus shall ye say unto them,
[This is an offer to hear the gospel, it is not an attempt to force or manipulate.]
What man among you, having a son, and he shall be standing out, and shall say, Father, open thy house that I may come in and sup with thee, will not say, Come in, my son; for mine is thine, and thine is mine? (JST Matthew 7:14-17)
It’s the same message missionaries around the world are giving. The Lord is speaking through a prophet again, just like in the days of old. He is inviting all to dinner (church) and if any accept, He will give them all that He has. As indicated in D&C 4:4, the field is ready to harvest, so we are charge with identify who wants salvation. So we ask: “Is that something you want?”
The Lord was careful in helping his apostles craft their offering. But the status of the apostate Jewish leaders was evident in the question presented to the Lord. As Jesus neared the end of the Sermon He counseled:
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matthew 7:18-19)
Salvation is an individual effort of will. It is the only thing you have that is truly yours. Not even God can take it away from you, so He offers you the blessings of giving over your will to Him with the promise that your small little investment and trial of faith will yield a harvest greater than words can describe.
Nevertheless, you may choose for yourself, because exaltation is not need motivated, it is a want and you must want it in order to participate.
