Christ’s Original Church

Christ organized His Church on earth in such a way as to edify its members and provide for their needs.  Some people notice the imperfections of modern churches and then decide they want no part of “organized religion.”  But they really should be searching for the most organized religion on earth, one that is organized in modern times the way Christ’s original church was organized.

There is a basic foundation to Christ’s true church; the church must be founded upon Christ Himself.  Since Christ does not personally abide on the earth, the true church must be led by His guidance through revelation to its leaders.  The head of the apostles in the early church was Peter.  He had two counselors, James and John.  They comprised the “First Presidency” of the church.

The early apostles were all prophets.  They received inspiration, revelation, and visions directly from heaven, helping them to teach true doctrine and solve problems within the membership.  When prophets and apostles receive revelation, they are often commanded to write what the Lord has taught them for the benefit of the membership.  The writings of prophets can be cannonized for the Church, and they therefore become scripture.  Thus, the scriptural cannon is open, because prophets are still writing it.  Closed scripture is a sign that revelation has ceased, and men are left without direction for their modern concerns.

Secondly, Christ gave to the early apostles the authority to act in His name.  Only one church on earth will have this authority at a time, and that is Christ’s Church.  Such a church will manifest all the gifts of the spirit that attend the possession of this authority.  Where all the gifts of the spirit are manifest, miracles are common:

“And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.  And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.

Where this authority is present, covenants may be bound in heaven as they are on earth.  Power and empowerment are available to the membership, not only power through God’s grace unto salvation, but power minute to minute to help members as they make their walk through life.  The gospel is meant to heal and give peace and understanding.

Christ’s early church had a lay clergy.  The apostles were not schooled at a divinity college.  With the exception of Paul, they were not trained in Jewish law, either.  They were from all walks of life, and they led the Church through direct revelation from God.

The early church had a top-down structure that enabled communication and guidance to be passed down to individuals.  The apostles called 70 elders just as Christ had done (Luke 10) to help them administer to lay members.  The seventies called others to administrate ever smaller locales, and the members also served one another.  The Bible says “there were no poor among them,” so they really cared for one another.  Charity is a strong characteristic of the true church:

“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18).

“And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift ” (4 Nephi 1:3).

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.   And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:42 – 45).

Having a lay clergy helps to prevent “priestcraft,” wherein a person claiming enlightenment or authority preaches to get gain.  In most modern churches, the pastor, priest, or evangelist is paid.  His charisma or talent in giving sermons can cause his congregation to grow, earning him more money.  With the invention of television, people can be reached far and wide, and they can also pay the evangelist, sometimes grandly.  This was not the way the original apostles and seventies worked.

“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.  Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.  Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes…” (Luke 10:1 – 4).

Heaven and Earth

As odd as it may sound today, the Lord has always been willing to establish a vibrant connection between the heavenly and earthly church.  When people are righteous, the angels, and even the Lord are able to walk among them, as the Lord did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and as Elijah and Moses did with the apostles at the Mount of Transfiguration.  We should not wonder, then, that Joseph Smith received power, authority and instruction from heavenly messengers — those who had the keys to various dispensations and priesthoods.  Joseph Smith received the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist, and the higher Melchizedek Priesthood from the resurrected Peter, James, and John.  He received the Book of Mormon engraved on metal plates from the resurrected Moroni, the last prophet to hold them.  He received the sealing power from Elijah, and the keys for the gathering of Israel from Moses.  This is all in perfect order, the order of the heavenly and the earthly church.

It is no accident that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized just Christ’s original church, with apostles, seventies, etc.  It has the authority vested by Christ Himself.  The Savior leads the Church through constant revelation to the prophet and apostles.  It has a lay clergy, a vibrant priesthood, the power to perform daily miracles in the lives of its members.  It is Christ’s church on earth.