For all those outside our church, let it be known that we are Christians who, in Christian love, invite all to come
We doctrinally, and publicly affirm that Jesus came to earth, and as the literal Son of The Father, took upon Himself a mortal body by birth.[2]
We also believe, as indicated in the New Testament, that He organized His church during His mortal ministry. This consisted of calling apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. and authorizing them, by ordination.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” Ephesians 4:11
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.” John 15:16
One group of Christian churches claims that Peter then passed this authority, by ordination, to a presiding officer e.g. Bishop of Rome or Constantinople, or another branch. This priesthood authority was then transmitted through the ages, by ordination through the line like that of the Popes and Cardinals until today, resulting in one of the Catholic churches serving then, as God’s authorized church.
Because some teachings, like the selling of indulgences, or the affirmed loss of the spiritual gifts, many protested against the Catholic church eventually organizing into various protestant churches. This reformation wasn’t authorized by the delegation of authority but by using the “Word of God” as referential authority to teach a given doctrine. This use of the word or idea of authority is like the bibliography required at the end of a thesis that gives the author authority or proper references supporting a written conclusion. One site lists 157 protestant denominations, all using the Bible as their “authority” even though they each interpret things differently.
The first group might be labeled, The Continuation. The second group could be called the Reformation.
Peter taught that one of the realities, marking the time prior to Christ’s return to the earth, would be a restitution of all things by refreshing the church.
This restitution could then provide a third Christian group claiming divine authority through a Restoration.
God’s consistency throughout the
Biblical history of man, is expressed by one ancient prophet, named Amos, who said, “The Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7
So in 1820, in response to much preparation on the part of God and the sincere prayer of a fourteen year old boy, God appeared. He later called him as a prophet, and sent other divine messengers to restore priesthood authority, and additional scripture. This augmented the Bible and refreshed doctrines that had either been lost or confused in at least 157 ways. This resulted in the restoration of a latter-day Church of Jesus Christ founded again on 12 apostles and a living prophet. This church is then appropriately called, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
It is an honor to serve with other Christians in bringing the works of Christ to the world today. We diligently partner with many Christian humanitarian organizations to bring relief and a brighter future to millions all over the world.
That said, it is important to note the realities of God’s methodology throughout time in working with the complexities of the divine gift of man’s moral agency and resultant freedom to choose, as we see it. As noted above, He has always worked through prophets to respond to man’s tendency to live by his appetites and ambitions. The age-old cycle might look like this:
I testify that after the great apostasy, the priesthood authority was restored as the time of refreshing was begun with the visit of God the Father and Jesus Christ, His beloved son. This was followed by the calling and ordination of Joseph Smith as God’s prophet to whom was also given new scripture refreshing and increasing the availability of the word of Christ and prophetic understandings in our day. Christ himself prophesied that He would go to speak to His other sheep outside of the land of Jerusalem.
In the search for understanding of eternal things, it is easy to see that the divine use of witnesses allows man to gather increasing evidence in order to work from theory to knowledge through the process of faith. An infinite number of lines can be drawn through one point, acting as a metaphorical referent. With two points, the possible conclusions are narrowed to one metaphorical conclusion.
Thus, with only the Bible, it is easy to see why 157 different churches can use it without agreeing upon what it says about what is expected of us on earth. With the Book of Mormon, clarity is increased as we seek to come unto Christ.
With this latter-day church founded once again on twelve apostles and a prophet with Christ as the corner-stone, we can testify that this is indeed, The Church of Jesus Christ restored in our modern times. God is indeed the same yesterday, today, and forever and loves His children with the same attention and care as He has always done.
One can see the potential in this affirmation. If true, it is the greatest news mankind could ever receive. The investigation is worth the time and effort but must not rest solely on the word of man. We invite all to ask God personally while showing sincerity by diligent study and effort, as is indicated in this scriptural promise prophetically given at the end of the Book of Mormon. This is a church come from God.
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