A few days ago, a friend asked me, what is the difference between LDS church and all other Christian
churches? How can I answer this question? I remember when I was in elementary school, I learn about the
organization of the church Jesus Christ started. By comparing the true church and how was it like can give
us an idea the difference in a true church verse untrue churches.
I. The church organized by Apostles, prophets and the
cornerstone is Jesus Christ Ephesians 4:
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 fulness of Christ. Do we see apostles and prophets in other
churches??
II. 2 Corinthians 11:7-9 shows that he works in the
church without receiving wages as an apostle.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to
you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking
to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being
burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. Do we see pastors being paid in churches to satisfy their
wealth?
III. The laying on of hands
Luke 4:40
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he
laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. This shows the priesthood used and given by the power
from Jesus Christ to perform the miracles of healing. Do we see authority give by Jesus Christ in those
churches?
In the Bible we know that God always called prophet to guide his people from Adam on, prophets like Mose,
Elijah, Samuel, and Daniel. And this is how the bible come from, they are the writings of many prophets.
Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Why is
there no prophet in the church now a days???
In the year 1829, Joseph Smith received authority from God in
D&C27: 8 Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you
unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron; We
learn also that he was baptized while yet in his childhood (D&C 84:27–28). On May 15, 1829, this same John
came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery near Harmony, Pennsylvania, and ordained these men to the Priesthood
of Aaron (D&C 13; 27:7–8; JS—H 1:68–72). It was through Peter's ministry that the gospel was
first opened to the Gentiles (Acts 10–11). In the latter days, Peter, with James and John, came from heaven
and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood and the keys thereof upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (D&C
27:12–13; 128:20).Elijah, He appeared again, with Moses and others, on April 3, 1836, in the Kirtland Ohio
Temple and conferred the same keys upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (D&C 110:13–16). On April 6, 1830,
the church was restored after all the priesthood was restored. This is not a new church, but to restore the
original church that Jesus Christ has established.
Because all the apostles were killed around 200AD after Christ was killed. All the priesthood and
authorities have been lost and took over by catholic priests, see history. Bible have been changed and many
revelations was taken away from the bible. Then Martin Luther created the Christian faith from the catholic
church. Since the priests and pastors never agreed with each other, so there are so many denomination of
Christian faith created from it. From the same bible there are different interpretation. They do have some
of the truth but denies the power therein. When Joseph Smith in 1820, he went to pray in the grove and saw
God and Jesus Christ, and he asked them, which church should he joined.
Joseph Smith—History 1. I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which
descended gradually until it fell upon me.
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the
light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above
me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My
Beloved Son. Hear Him! My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was
right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be
able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right
(for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who
addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all
corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for
doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
IV. Restoration of the Gospel as prophecy from the bible.
God will do a marvellous work and a wonder, Isa. 29:14 (2 Ne. 25:17–18; D&C 4:1). God shall set up a
kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, Dan. 2:44. Elias will come, and restore all things, Matt. 17:11
(Mark 9:12; D&C 77:14). There will come times of restitution of all things, Acts 3:21 (D&C 27:6).
Restoration
of the Gospel
Elias … come, and restore all things, Matt. 17:11 (Mark 9:12; D&C 77:14). gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached, Matt. 24:14. times of restitution of all things, Acts 3:21 (D&C 27:6). blindness … until the
fulness of the Gentiles be come in, Rom. 11:25. 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of
this mystery, lest ye should be
wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles
be come in.