"Redemption from death, through the sufferings of Christ, is for all men, both the righteous and the wicked" (Mormon Doctrine, 1977, p 65).

"Redemption from personal sins can only be obtained through obedience to the requirements of the gospel, and a life of good works" (Articles of Faith, p 478).

"Individual salvation or rescue from the effects of personal sins is to be acquired by each for himself, by faith and good works" (Articles of Faith, 476).

If you agree with your Catholic friend, and if you and he agree with the teaching of your churches, you both believe that our salvation depends in part on our works. The teaching of the Catholic church has never been that we are saved by works alone (though they do also teach that non-Christians who do not know Christ can be saved). They teach we are saved by faith and works. Another way of saying this is to make works a part of saving faith. The teaching of Mormonism seems to be identical.

Works are not a part of faith, they are a result of faith. Good works do not contribute anything to our forgiveness. We do them not to be forgiven but because we have been forgiven.

The issue that divides Catholicism and Mormonism from the Bible and Lutheranism is not whether we are saved by faith, but whether we are saved by faith alone. Lutheranism says, "Yes, we are saved by faith alone." Mormonism says, "No, by faith and works." Your statement that Mormonism is merely teaching that you can't have faith without works is false. It is teaching that those works are part of obtaining salvation. Salvation which is based in part on works finally depends on works and is a denial of grace. Grace and works are opposites. There cannot be a compromise between them.

If you really believe in salvation by faith alone, you are not following Mormon teachng but biblical teaching.