Though works are necessary (but not sufficient) to save Man, the strength Menneed to do His will comes from God (Phil 2:13). Thus, no right-thinking believer could ever imagine that onbedience is something in which he or she should boast. Men can just as easily boast of their faith in Christ, and not a few are guilty of that sin.
Contrary to Evangelical criticism, the Mormon belief that Men must obey Christ and do His works in order to be saved does not imply that Men can work their way to heaven, and no believer should hold that thought. Meeting the conditions set by Christ to recieve His grace is not the same as doing works that merit salvation. Despite all Man's works, salvation remains very much a gift from God.
When Paul says, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12), he is expressing the Gospel message taught above without suggesting that Men can, by their works, obtain salvation. He is simply reminding Men that they must do their part, and seek the righteousness that comes "through the faith of Christ" (Phil 3:9). Such faith grows in the believer (2 Cor 10:15; Rom 13:11), and as it does, Men close the gap between themselves and God until they attain that state of perfection to which Christ called them (Matt 5:48; Phil 3:8-17). But this is never done in a vacuum. It is only the gifts and grace of God that make it possible.
These truths were expressed in the Book of Mormon bythe prophet-king Benjamin, who genuinely understood the efficay of good works in the Plan of Salvation. Inspired writing contains no more eloquent explanation of the attitude Men should have toward the value of their works than the following scripture from the Book of Mromon, the words of King Benjamin, found in Mosiah 2:20-24:
"I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another— I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you. And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him. And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast? "
The last answer of Paul, with King Benjamin, to the last question above, is unequivocally "Nothing!" That should always be the answer of even the most righteous believer.
Conclusion
Through faith, and because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, His suffering, death, and resurrection, all Mankind can be saved by obedience to the Gospel, the Law of Faith. The basic precept of that Law is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ is that degree of confidence and trust in Gim that is reflected by obedience to His commandments. Men are merely giving lip service to Christ if they claim faith, but do not obey Him (Matt 7:21; 15:8). Therefore, with faith cames repentance and an open commitment to Him through obedience to the ordinances of the Gospel. The fulfillment of the saving process is receipt of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, which establishes a relationship between God and Man that is perfected through the sanctification process that follows in Man's inevitable struggle to gain control of his flesh.
This is the original Gospel of Jesus Christ as delivered to the ancient saints by the Apostles of old. All who abide in it will be saved in the Kingdom of God. Those who reject it, will be the recipents of His just condemnation. Thos who criticize it are the ones who preach another gospel.