The Only True and Living Church

The Only True and Living Church

Historical Background

1820
Joseph Smith, a young man, in his 14th year, retired to the sacred grove seeking wisdom of God on which church he should join. “ And in his innocence, and to his great surprise, the unimaginable happened. The heavens opened, God and Christ appeared, angels descended, and the true gospel of Jesus Christ, with its authority, doctrine and ordinances, was restored to the earth in its simplicity and its purity.” (Edgley, Richard “ Joseph Smith-The Prophet, BYU Education week 8/16/2005).

1823
Joseph Smith, again kneels in fervent prayer, seeking to know his status with the Lord. The angel Moroni, who centuries before in mortality helped abridge the Nephite records and was the final custodian of the gold plates, appeared and informed Joseph of his role in the momentous undertaking of translating, publishing and preaching the Book of Mormon record.

“Recalling this glorious occasion, Oliver Cowdery declared that the angel Moroni prophesied to seventeen-year old Joseph Smith that “when [the Book of Mormon plates] are interpreted the Lord will give the holy priesthood to some, and they shall begin to proclaim this gospel and baptize by water, and after that they shall have power to give the Holy Ghost by the laying on of their hands.” (Oliver Cowdery to W.W. Phelps, letter 8, undated (Sept- Oct 1835), in Messenger and Advocate 2 ( October 1835): 199.)

1827
Joseph Smith is allowed to remove the plates from the Hill Cumorrah. After moving to a more secure location, translation begins.

1828
Martin Harris, who had been serving as scribe to Joseph in the translation of the Nephite plates, lost possession of the initial 116 pages of this translation, resulting in 2 revelations: D&C section 3 and section 10. In the latter, the Lord told Joseph:

D&C 10:52-54

52 And now, behold, according to their faith in their prayers will I bring this part of my gospel to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to adestroy that which they have received, but to build it up.
53 And for this cause have I said: If this generation aharden not their hearts, I will establish my bchurch among them.
54 Now I do not say this to destroy my church, but I say this to build up my church;

After a period of repentance, Joseph was once again allowed to translate, using his wife Emma as his scribe, until Oliver Cowdery, having been worked upon by the spirit of God, arrived to take her place.



1829
While translating 3 Nephi, Joseph and Oliver were intrigued by the Savior’s pure and undiluted teachings to his ancient Nephite disciples. They wanted to know more about priesthood authority and how it was to be used in baptizing for the remission of sins, topics they encountered in the Book of Mormon more than 100 times. The Book of Mormon prophets directly linked baptism with membership in the Lord’s church.

3 Nephi 26:21
21 And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the achurch of Christ

Years later, Oliver recounted:
“ No men, in their sober senses, could translate and write the directions given to the Nephites from the mouth of the Savior, of the precise manner in which men should build up His church,..without desiring a privilege of showing the willingness of the heart by being buried in the liquid grave, to answer a ‘good conscience by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.’ (Cowdery to Phelps, 7 Sept 1934)

Together Joseph and Oliver received the Aaronic Priesthood from the resurrected John the Baptist, and were directed to baptize each other. Shortly afterward, Peter, James, and John bestowed on them the Melchizedek Priesthood with its accompanying keys and authority , including the apostleship. (History of the Church, 1:39-42)

Just prior to completing the Book of Mormon translation, Joseph Smith , Olivery Cowdery, and David Whitmer prayerfully asked the Lord for further “instructions relative to building up the Church of Christ, according to the fullness of the gospel ( Book of Commandments, heading to chapter 15). The revelation was given:

D&C18
1 Now, behold, because of the thing which you, my servant Oliver Cowdery, have desired to know of me, I give unto you these words:
2 Behold, I have amanifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the bthings which you have written are ctrue; wherefore you know that they are true.
3 And if you know that they are true, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that you arely upon the things which are bwritten;
4 For in them are all things awritten concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my brock.

The Lord’s entire instructions to Oliver at that time made it clear that the pattern set forth in the Book of Mormon was critical to the success of the restoration effort.

While the translation of the Book of Mormon was being printed, Oliver Cowdery fulfilled the charge to envision how the restored church was to be organized. He selected material from the translation and used these excerpts to compose the earliest procedural regulations for the soon-to-be reestablished church of Jesus Christ. This document is known as the “Articles of the Church of Christ” and was a precursor to the more comprehensive church regulations known as the Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ ( now known as D&C section 20)


The Church is Organized in the Latter Days

It was, of course, the Lord’s plan all along to establish His church in the Latter days as a vehicle to administer the gospel and gather scattered Israel. Ten years passed from the time Joseph received the first vision until the formal organization of the church.. time not wasted, but utilized in preparing every needful thing , each in order, that the Lord might accomplish His purposes.

While serving in the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said:

“This day of organization was, in effect, a day of commencement, the graduation for Joseph from ten years of remarkable schooling. It had begun with the incomparable vision in the grove in the spring of 1820, when the Father and the Son appeared to the fourteen-year-old boy. It had continued with the tutoring from Moroni, with both warnings and instructions given on multiple occasions. Then there was the translation of the ancient record, and the inspiration, the knowledge, the revelation that came from that experience. There was the bestowal of divine authority, the ancient priesthood again conferred upon men by those who were its rightful possessors—John the Baptist in the case of the Aaronic Priesthood, and Peter, James, and John in the case of the Melchizedek. There were revelations, a number of them, in which the voice of God was heard again, and the channel of communication opened between man and the Creator. All of these were preliminary to that historic April 6” (“150-Year Drama: A Personal View of Our History,” Ensign, Apr. 1980, 11–12).

D&C 20:1
1 The arise of the bChurch of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the ccoming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly dorganized and established agreeable to the elaws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April—

What was the significance of choosing April 6th as the day to organize the church?

Harold B. Lee
April 6, 1973, is a particularly significant date because it commemorates not only the anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this dispensation, but also the anniversary of the birth of the Savior, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Harold B. Lee, CR, Apr 1973, p. 4

What were the laws set forth by the country in 1830 for the establishment of a church?

The specific laws under which the church was incorporated were actually those of New York State. The statute in effect at that time required a church or congregation to elect from 3-9 trustees to take charge of church property and transact business affairs. Two elders of the congregation were to be selected to preside over the election. Fifteen days’ notice, given for two successive Sabbaths, was required. A certificate establishing a name for the church and evidencing completion of the organizational events was to be recorded in the county of counties where the church was located. (Laws of the State of New York, p. 214).

On 6 April 1830, Joseph Smith and more than 50 other people met at the log home of Peter Whitmer Sr. in Fayette, New York, for the organization of the Church. In accordance with the law of New York, six men, all of whom had been baptized and had seen the gold plates, became the first official members of the Church. These men were Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Peter Whitmer Jr., Samuel H. Smith, and David Whitmer (see History of the Church, 1:76; for additional historical background, see Our Heritage, pages 14–16).

The Church, as in Nephite times, was initially called the Church of Christ.

President George Q. Cannon:
"The organization was made on the day and after the pattern dictated by God in a revelation given to Joseph Smith. The Church was called after the name of Jesus Christ; because he so ordered. Jesus accepted the Church, declared it to be his own and empowered it to minister on earth in his name." (Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet, p74)

In a revelation given to the Prophet in 1838, the name of the Church as we know it today was revealed:

D&C 115:4.
"For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"

Joseph Fielding Smith:

"The brethren at times called it the Church of Christ and at other times the Church of the Latter-day Saints, and this was becoming a fixed custom throughout the Church. On this occasion the Lord called the attention of all the councils to the fact that he had given the Church its name and by that name it should be called. It is a very easy matter for us to adopt some other title, apparently for convenience, as the correct name is rather lengthy. For instance we have, in these later days, fallen into the habit of speaking of the Church as the 'Mormon Church,' or as 'the Restored Church,' setting aside the correct titles. It is true that even back in the days of the Prophet the Church was at times called the 'Mormon Church,' but this was rare, although we were quite generally referred to as 'Mormons,' and we answered to that title. Since the Lord felt it important to remind the councils of the Church of its correct name and inform them that by that name it should be known in the last days, we should endeavor to carry out this commandment more nearly than it is the custom for many of us to do." (Church History & Modern Revelation, 3:114-15)

What happened at that organizational church meeting?
§ Events during this meeting:
§ Opened with solemn prayer.
§ A vote taken by those present to accept Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as their teachers in the Kingdom and to organized the church according to the commandment received (see Section 20).
§ Joseph ordained Oliver an elder, then Oliver ordained Joseph.
§ The sacrament was blessed and passed to those present.
§ Those previously baptized were confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.
§ The Holy Ghost was poured out and some prophesied.
§ Several were baptized on the day of organization including the Prophet's parents, Martin Harris, and Orin Porter Rockwell (almost 17 years old). Porter worked odd jobs giving what little money he could to aid the Prophet in publication of the Book of Mormon.

The Lord Commands Church Members to Follow the Prophet

During the organization meeting, the Lord also gave a revelation instructing members of the Church to follow Joseph Smith as a prophet

D&C 21:1-4
1 Behold, there shall be a arecord kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a bseer, a translator, a prophet, an capostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Being ainspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation thereof, and to bbuild it up unto the most holy faith.
3 Which achurch was borganized and established in the year of your Lord eighteen hundred and thirty, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April.
4 Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give aheed unto all his words and bcommandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all choliness before me;
5 For his aword ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

With all in place, Joseph took his rightful place at the head of the church.

And what of the early converts and members of the church, how was this revelation received?

Brigham Young- baptized 1832
“ I feel like shouting halleluiah all the time when I think I ever knew Joseph Smith, the prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained and to whom he gave keys and power to build up the kingdom of God on earth and sustain it.”

What is the role of a prophet?
Anthony W. Ivins
"A careful study of the etymology of the word and of the lives, works and character of the prophets of old makes clear the fact that a prophet was, and is, one called to act as God's messenger. He is to teach men the character of God, and define and make known to the people, his will. He is to denounce sin, and declare the punishment of transgression. He is to be above all else a preacher of righteousness, and when the people depart from the path which he has marked out for them to follow, is to call them back to the true faith. He is an interpreter of the scripture, and declares its meaning and application. When future events are to be declared he predicts them, but his direct, and most important calling is to be a forth- teller, or director of
present policy, rather than a foreteller of that which is to come" (Conference Report, October 1925, 20). Revelations of the Restoration, p. 175)

Although this revelation was given specifically regarding Joseph Smith, it also applies to all those prophets that have succeeded him, including our prophet and president of the church today: Thomas S. Monson.

Note that in the revelation, the Lord tells us to give heed unto ALL the prophet’s words and commandments, not just those we like, or those we find easy to live, or those that are convenient.

The revelation mentions that we should receive the word of the prophet in all patience and faith. Why might patience and faith sometimes be required?

Harold B. Lee
"Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, 'as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; ... as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.' (D&C 21:4-5.) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory.' (D&C 21:6)." (CR, Oct 1970)

The Lord encourages Church members to meet together often to partake of the sacrament

In the organizational meeting, members partook of the sacrament. Why do you think it was necessary for the ordinance of the sacrament to be performed at the first meeting of the restored Church?

D&C 20:75
75 It is expedient that the church ameet together often to bpartake of cbread and wine in the dremembrance of the Lord Jesus;

Melvin J. Ballard
No man goes away from this Church and becomes an apostate in a week, nor in a month. It is a slow process. The one thing that would make for the safety of every man and woman would be to appear at the sacrament table every Sabbath day. We would not get very far away in a week-not so far away that, by the process of self-investigation, we could not rectify the wrongs we may have done. If we should refrain from partaking of the sacrament, condemned by ourselves as unworthy to receive these emblems, we could not endure that long, and we would soon, I am sure, have the spirit of repentance. The road to the sacrament table is the path of safety for Latter-day Saints." (quoted in Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4:121)

It is a tremendous blessing to be able to partake of the Sacrament each week. it is the most important reason we come to church. By doing so, we stir our hearts to remembrance the love the Savior has for us and His intense desire to have us return to Him. We are promised, if we take the sacrament worthily that we will have His spirit with us always, to help us be obedient to all the covenants we have made with Him.

In the verses following 20:75, the Lord revealed how the sacrament should be administered, here are included the sacramental prayers.

Early in August of 1830, Newell Knight and his wife paid a visit to Joseph and Emma in Harmony, PA . The knights had not yet been confirmed members of the church. Joseph recounts, “ It was proposed that we should confirm them, and partake together of the Sacrament, before he and his wife should leave us. In order to prepare for this I set out to procure some wine for the occasion, but had gone only a short distance when I was met by a heavenly messenger and received the following revelation..”

D&C 27:1-4
Listen to the avoice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is bquick and powerful.
2 For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall aeat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my bglory—cremembering unto the Father my dbody which was laid down for you, and my eblood which was shed for the fremission of your sins.
3 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase awine neither strong drink of your enemies;
4 Wherefore, you shall partake of none except it is made anew among you; yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.

"In obedience to the above commandment, we prepared some wine of our own making, and held our meeting, consisting only of five, viz., Newel Knight and his wife, myself and my wife, and John Whitmer. We partook together of the Sacrament, after which we confirmed these two sisters into the Church, and spent the evening in a glorious manner. The Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us, we praise the Lord God, and rejoiced exceedingly." (HC, 1:106 & 108)
The Lord explains the duties of Church members

D&C20:68-69
68 The aduty of the members after they are received by bbaptism.—The elders or priests are to have a sufficient time to expound all things concerning the church of Christ to their cunderstanding, previous to their partaking of the dsacrament and being confirmed by the laying on of the ehands of the elders, so that all things may be done in forder.
69 And the members shall manifest before the church, and also before the elders, by a agodly walk and conversation, that they are worthy of it, that there may be works and bfaith agreeable to the holy scriptures—walking in choliness before the Lord.

What does the Lord expect of the members of His church?

Robert L. Millet
"The call to discipleship is a call to a higher righteousness. The Saints are asked to put off the natural man, put away the toys of a telestial world, and grow up in the Lord. They are summoned to be obedient, to keep the commandments, to manifest 'by a godly walk and conversation that they are worthy' of membership in the Church and kingdom of God (D&C 20:69). They covenant to take upon them the sacred name of Jesus Christ, to bear the same with fidelity and devotion, and to behave as becomes Christians. In short, they covenant before God and man to see to it that their actions evidence their Christian commitment. Disciples are expected to have clean hands.

"But there is more. Life in Christ is more than correct behavior, more than appropriate actions, more than what we do. It is being. It is what we are. True disciples seek that sanctifying influence that derives from the Holy Spirit, so that they come to do the right things for the right reasons. Life in Christ is characterized by pure attitudes, motives, and desires. Disciples are expected to have pure hearts." (An Eye Single To The Glory of God, p55)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie
"The test of discipleship is how totally and completely and fully we believe the word that was revealed through Joseph Smith, and how effectively we echo or proclaim that word to the world" ("This Generation," 7). Revelations of the Restoration, p. 178)

Conclusion

The organization of the Church of Jesus Christ in 1830 was one of the great miracles of the latter days. Even though that small meeting in Fayette, New York, went unnoticed by most people, the events of that day have changed the world.


President Wilford Woodruff told of a meeting in which the Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied of the Church’s growth. The meeting was in “a small house, perhaps 14 feet square. But it held the whole of the Priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were then in the town of Kirtland, and who had gathered together to go off in Zion’s camp.” After several of the men had borne their testimonies of the work, the Prophet said:

“Brethren I have been very much edified and instructed in your testimonies here tonight, but I want to say to you before the Lord, that you know no more concerning the destinies of this Church and kingdom than a babe upon its mother’s lap. You don’t comprehend it. … It is only a little handful of Priesthood you see here tonight, but this Church will fill North and South America—it will fill the world” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1898, 57).

We are privileged to live in the days where we have seen this prophecy being fulfilled. From 6 members on April 6, 1830 to over 13 million members in 2008.

Yet, while impressive, the growth of the church is not itself the greatest legacy of Joseph. Joseph succeeded in creating a community without parallel. Hyrum Smith, just months prior to his death said, “ Men’s souls conform to the society in which they live, with very few exceptions, and when men come to live with the Mormons, their souls swell as if they were going to stride the planets.” (Address of Hyrum Smith, 7 April 1844,HC 6:300)

“It is the quality of this community, not its rate of increase, that is the more vital fact- and the more enduring mystery-of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” (Terryl L. Givens, BYU Speech, “Lightning Out of Heaven”: Joseph Smith and the forging of community, 11/29/05)

The gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives. Joseph taught and embodied that gospel with such power that he not only attracted faithful followers, but galvanized and welded them into a powerfully cohesive group that continues to endow a multimillion-member movement with those same bonds and cohesion and vitality today.

Thomas Carlyle
“The Great Man was always as lightning out of Heaven; the rest of men waited for him like fuel, and then they too would flame.” (Thomas Carlyle, “The Hero as Prophet,” Heroes and Hero Worship (1840).)

I testify that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. One that was foreordained before this world was to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth and usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times. Without him, the heavens remain closed, spiritual darkness continues to reign and saving ordinances remain unavailable. No amount of gratitude seems sufficient for what He has done for each of us

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!

Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

[Chorus]
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.