In Matthew 16:19, Jesus tells his disciples that he would “build his church,” and that it would be built upon the rock of revelation: that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. God desires for this revelation to enter into the hearts of all of his children, just as it did to Peter, through the power of the Holy Ghost. We believe that Jesus did indeed “build his church.” The New Testament clearly describes the features of that church: its ordinances, priesthood, and doctrine.

What are some of the features of the church of Jesus Christ?

• Principles of the doctrine of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-2)
• Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20)
• Divinely called ministry (i.e., priesthood) chosen by God, not men (Hebrews 5:4)
• Aaronic and Melchisedec priesthood offices (I Timothy 3:10, Hebrews 7:11, Ephesians 4:11, James 5:14)
• Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:8-10)
• Sacraments and ordinances as taught and practiced by Christ and his priesthood (Matthew 3:45, Acts 8:17, James 5:14, Mark 3:13, Luke 2:27-32, Mark 14:20-24, Ephesians 5:31)
• A mission to establish the kingdom of God on earth (Revelation 21:2-4, D&C 12:3a) (LDS D&C 14:6)

 

In determining whether or not a particular Christian denomination is a continuation of the New Testament church, its doctrine, ordinances, and sacraments must be compared to that which Jesus established. The independent restoration branches, which represent a continuation of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is the only collective religious body which mirrors the original church. As recorded in D&C 1:5e (LDS D&C 1:30), we believe that the restoration of Christ’s church in 1830 brought forth the “only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth.” The church that Christ built during his ministry on earth, restored in 1830, and reorganized in 1860, remains today through independent Restoration Branches who teach the true doctrine of Christ in spirit and in truth, and perform the sacraments and ordinances in purity by divinely called priesthood.

 

The Lord spoke through RLDS Apostle Joseph Luff in 1925, confirming this truth: “Wheresoever my law is in honor and my ordinances are held as a sacred thing, even as they were delivered unto you from the beginning, Behold there is my church; and he that imagineth change in them hath not known me, for I CHANGE NOT, and my ordinances are my witness.”

 

We most assuredly believe that the Spirit of God works through many who are outside of Christ’s restored church! God’s love is extended to all of his children. The Son of God did not come to the earth in an effort to save a select few, he came to draw all men unto the Father (John 12:32).

 

The Book of Mormon, another witness of Jesus Christ, makes clear that ALL men, both good and evil, return to God after death (Alma 19:43, LDS Alma 40:11) to await resurrection. Thus, all of God’s children have been saved from endless death through the atonement of Jesus Christ (2 Nephi 7:43, LDS 2 Nephi 10:25). This salvation from death comes only as a gift from God through his son, Jesus Christ, and is entirely independent of our works in this life.

 

After the resurrection, in which the body and the spirit are reunited, ALL people will stand before God to be judged according to their works (Matthew 7: 31). It is this judgment that will determine where each person spends eternity (Alma 19: 66-67, LDS Alma 41:3-4). We worship a God of both justice and mercy. Many ask, and understandably so, if we believe that those outside of Christ’s restored church will be able to dwell with God in eternity. The Book of Mormon answers this question clearly in 2 Nephi 6:51-55 (LDS 2 Nephi 9:25-26). Those who are never taught the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ will not be condemned; they will return to the “God who gave them breath.” Those who are blessed to hear the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life will be accountable for how they respond to the light and truth they have received. Those who are obedient and valiant in their testimony of Jesus Christ will spend eternity in the presence of God and His Son (D&C 76:5j, LDS D&C 76:62). Those who are not obedient to the fullness of the gospel and are not valiant in their testimony of Jesus Christ will not dwell in God’s presence. Their eternal reward will be less than that which God desired to give.