South Crysler Restoration Branch

For LDS Friends

58603

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For Our Friends from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The following is a brief explanation of what an Independent Restoration Branch is along with 10 frequently asked questions regarding the beliefs of Independent Restoration Branches and their relationship to the Church as restored through Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830, covering such topics as Succession, Priesthood, Doctrine, History, Apostasy, Canon, Structure, Role, and Vision of the Church. If you have questions, please feel free to ask questions through the SCRB website and we will respond to you.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF “INDEPENDENT RESTORATION BRANCHES”

When we use the term “independent Restoration branch,” each word is significant and must be clearly defined. We are independent—not in the sense that we seek to be separate from other branches of Christ’s church, but rather independent from higher organization until such time as God directs. Restoration denotes our belief that Jesus Christ’s New Testament church was restored to the earth in 1830 (and reorganized in 1860), with miraculous gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit providing evidence of its divinity. The highest level of organization within the church today is the branch—the fundamental unit of organization within Christ’s church.

Members of Independent Restoration Branches believe with complete assurance that the Lord will move in His own time and in His own way to restore His higher order of leadership in the Church, as only He can. We look forward to that day and, in the meantime, proclaim the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ through a divinely called priesthood. Working together as branches of Christ’s restored church, we seek to establish God’s kingdom on earth, that His will might be done “on earth, as it is in heaven.”

10 Questions Regarding Independent Restoration Branches

1. Why do you believe Joseph Smith III was his father’s successor?

We believe that Joseph III was his father’s successor because of the testimonies of Joseph III, his mother Emma, and the many firsthand accounts to his being set apart and designated by Joseph Jr. on at least four separate occasions to be his successor.

2. How were the keys of the priesthood maintained through the Reorganization and Joseph Smith III?

We believe that the keys of the priesthood are the divine authority and power given by God, through the influence of the Spirit, to direct and govern the church on earth.

3. Did Joseph Smith teach or practice polygamy?

The written record that Joseph Smith, Jr. left does not condone polygamy or the practice thereof.

4. Why did the church need to be reorganized, and is the Reorganization a new church?

With the death of the prophet, the early saints put a date of 1844 on the disorder or disorganization of the church presidency.

5. Why don’t you build temples or teach doctrines like eternal progression or eternal marriage?

The restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in 1830 was a return to the Earth, or a “coming out of the wilderness” (Revelation 12:5), of the church Jesus established in his ministry on earth in Jerusalem.

6. How did the RLDS leadership drift from Restoration beliefs, and how did the independent Restoration branches begin?

During the 1970’s and 1980’s there came a need for places to worship untainted by the hierarchy’s ecumenical and doctrinal changes in the RLDS church.

7. What is the canon of the independent Restoration Branches, and how does it differ from the LDS church?

To begin, the canon of the Restoration Branches is the same as the original Church as founded in 1830 and as reorganized in 1860.

8. Do you accept the church and priesthood structure in the Doctrine and Covenants, and is there a First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve today?

The short answer to this question is yes. We most certainly accept the “church and priesthood structure as given in the Doctrine and Covenants as given to the original Church under the leadership of the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr.

9. Do you claim to be the “one true church,” and can people find God and salvation outside your church?

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.

10. What is the independent Restoration Branches’ vision of Zion, and what role will the church play in it?

We believe that “Zion will be.” The kingdom of God in heaven will join with his kingdom on earth.