Chapter 3 - The Church As One
The Bible says there is “one body” and “one faith.”
So what does that really mean?
One institution… or one belief?
Chapter 3 - The Church as One
Introduction
Welcome to The Mormon Mann Channel. I am Kendall, The Mormon Mann. In this video, I am going to discuss the strict manner in which Jesus Christ organized His Church, back in about 32 AD. I will be using only the King James version of the Holy Bible to do this.
In this series of videos, I am challenging 83 of Joseph Smith’s teachings that he set up in the name of “Restoring the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” I will include all of the hard topics such as:
Exaltation (becoming gods)
Blacks and the Priesthood
Polygamy.
If you would like to follow what the Bible has to say about these 83 teachings of Joseph Smith, then please, press the “Subscribe” button below.
God Is Not the Author of Confusion
The Lord wants us to “Be One.” In organizing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with apostles, prophets, the priesthood, and revelation from the Lord, the Lord, through Joseph Smith established a very strong, central leadership core that followed the same leadership pattern as the original Church of Jesus Christ.
The Lord requires strict obedience to the laws and doctrines of the leadership—the prophet and apostles of the church. Joseph Smith apparently learned very well from the Bible. He understood that the Lord wanted no confusion within the church.
1 Cor 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
Joseph Smith also taught that there was just one organization of the church. He learned from the apostle Paul who taught the same:
Ephesians 4:3,4,5
3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling:
5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Paul was also very clear when he taught the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 1:10,11
1 Corinthians 1:10, 11
10. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Paul continued teaching the Corinthians in verse 13…
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body…
Not only are we all baptized into one body (or church) but he also taught that we should not have any contentions in our Church, in verse 25…
1 Corinthians 12:25
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
Unity in Doctrine and Mind
Again, Paul taught the Philippians the same “unity” principle.
Philippians 2:2
Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Philippians 3:16
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
The apostle Paul was also teaching the “unity” principle when he wrote about the people in Macedonia not teaching the proper doctrine.
Warning Against False Doctrine
1 Timothy 1:3
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
It is again reaffirmed in Hebrews 13:9 that the members should not be teaching or listening to false doctrines.
Hebrews 13:9
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines
The Church Organization (with Apostles & Prophets)
Believe it or not, there are consequences of not following the Apostles and Prophets. It is with great importance that the apostles taught that the original organization of the church, with apostles and prophets, was to be used until “we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,”
Ephesians 4:11-14
11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
It is in the same conversation where Paul spoke that there should be “one body” and “that there should be no schism in the body.” Again, he also described the body as having apostles and prophets:
1 Corinthians 12:27,28
27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets…
The Consequences of Disobedience
Christ taught, that the consequences of those who are not following the apostles and prophets, are to be cast out. Christ was speaking of the many people who believed in Him, but would not make it because they never really “knew” him.
Matthew 7:21-23
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Christ also taught that:
Matthew 7:13,14
13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Jesus Christ did not only teach this teaching that “only a few of the Christians will make it to the kingdom of God” once. He also taught the same principle in the parable of the ten virgins.
Matthew 25:1
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Joseph Smith taught that these 10 virgins are all believers in Christ.
Matthew 25:2-4
2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Christ designated five as wise and five who were foolish. Joseph Smith taught that the foolish were ones who did not follow the true doctrine of Christ—or did not follow the words of the apostles and prophets.
Matthew 25:5, 6
5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Many religions believe that when the bridegroom comes, it is the actual second coming of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 25:7-9
7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
At the second coming the virgins who were not prepared, needed to go back and get prepared. Those virgins (or followers of Christ) who were prepared went into the wedding.
Matthew 25:10
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Those who were not prepared, or did not listen to the words of the prophets, were shut out and were not recognized by Christ.
Matthew 25:11,12
11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying Lord, Lord, open to us.
12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Whoa! 50% were turned away! A very important question that we have to ask ourselves…Am I one of those 50% that will be turned away?
I remind you that all these people turned away by Christ, were Christians, who actually believed in Jesus Christ! Remember, those Christians “who preached any other gospel” will be cursed.
Another Gospel Warning
Galatians 1:6-9
6. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel the gospel of Christ.
8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Today
How does the LDS Church hold up in Christ’s requirement for the unity of faith and organization?
Currently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is still organized with a prophet heading the church with twelve apostles that assist in leading the church. They speak and teach to a worldwide audience every six months in what is known as General Conference. It is streamed live in 70 different languages.
The Church is so organized that every congregation in the United States receives the same manuals for teaching their Sunday School and Priesthood classes. Each class should be teaching the same doctrine as every other class throughout the United States. In foreign countries the individual congregation also has the same organization and lessons. Each in its own specific language.
Temples Worldwide
An important part of worshiping Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in a modern House of the Lord or Temple. The Church has approximately 350 Temples built and operating, in construction, or announced.
Church Discipline
Joseph Smith practiced this strictness in our church. When a person or leader gets off tangent from the directed doctrines of the prophet, or when a leader starts teaching false doctrines, that leader is called to repentance. If that leader repents and gets in line, fine. If he does not stop teaching the false doctrines, then he is released from his position and possibly excommunicated.
Personal Testimony
After living two years in Argentina, 4 years in Germany, thirteen months in Central America, and experiencing extensive travel throughout Europe, South and Central America and in the United States, I can honestly testify, that through 50 years of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Church is one, in the unity of faith!
Biblical Support Chart
Now, lets go to The Biblical Support Chart. Continuing with the case of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints i.e. with prophets, apostles, revelation, and now, to include being well organized and unified in all its teachings, doctrines, and practices.
The important factor is to identify if the organization of the LDS Church is supported in the Bible.
Is the following topic supported in the Bible? Yes or No
1. Does the Bible support the Joseph Smith’s teaching of being one organization? Yes
(1 Cor 14:33; Eph 4:3,4; 1 Cor 1:10,11; 1 Cor 12:13,25; Phil 2:2; 3:16-19; 1 Tim 1:3,7-10; Heb 13:9)
Final Question
2. Does the Bible support the strictness of Joseph Smith’s teaching of having one doctrine? Yes
(Heb 13:9; Eph 4:11-14; Matt 7:13,14; 21-23; 25:1-13)