The challenge is that there are over 1000 different Christian churches on the earth today, all teaching different interpretations of the Bible. The Bible teaches, "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

(Amos 3:7) and "that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:20 - 21)

The real question here is, is there a church on the earth today that is led by a true prophet of God or Apostles and Prophets who receive direction from God today as did the prophets in the Bible? Christ said to his Apostles,

"He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward..." (Matthew 10:40-41) In other words, if there is a true prophet or apostles and prophets on the earth today, would it not be essential for us to receive them or to follow their teachings?

I'm sure you are aware that the 1000 Christian churches can be divided into two basic Christian positions. The Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox churches claim the Savior founded the church, and they are that same church. The Protestant churches claim that the church the Savior established fell into apostasy, and so a 'Reformation' was necessary. Some Protestant churches, however, were formed more out of political disagreement than doctrinal interpretation.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints represents a third position. We agree that the early church fell into apostasy. What was needed, however, was not a man-made 'Reformation', but a God-given 'Restoration'.

This restoration was only possible because God and Christ personally appeared to and called a prophet named Joseph Smith in the 1820s, who received, with his associates, significant divine communication necessary for

"...the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:21) It seems to be difficult in any age for the people to accept and follow prophets. Consider Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Twelve Apostles and Prophets and even Christ himself. What if you knew of a church that:

1.Was the same organization as the primitive church, which Christ organized himself during his earthly ministry including Twelve Apostles and Prophets and all of the other offices found in the original church (Ephesians 2:19-21 and 4:11-14),

2. Was restored in these latter days as promised in ancient prophecy with the visitations of heavenly messengers not unlike the messengers who announced to Zacharias the birth of John the Baptist and Mary and Joseph the virgin birth of Jesus (Luke 1); like those who appeared to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-15), to Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1-7), to those who witnessed Christ's ascension at Bethany (Acts 1:10-12) and many other such accounts in the scripture (Acts 3:19-21),

3. Received a record of scripture which includes the account of Christ's appearance to the inhabitants of Ancient America and verifying his divinity and the truth of the Bible (see Matthew 18:16). This is the Book of Mormon. If you have a copy, read the "Introduction" at the first for a brief account of how it was brought to us.

4. Embodies the same teachings, ordinances and priesthood authority (after the Order of Melchizedec, see Hebrews 5:1-10) as the original church organized by Jesus (John 5:16),

5. Taught and expected members to follow the commandments and example of the Savior, and by faith, repentance and baptism of water and the spirit (Holy Ghost) and administering the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper all to the end that we can be forgiven of our sins through the Atonement of Christ and dwell in the presence of God. (Acts 2:38, John 3:5),

6. Followed his primary instruction to "go into all the world preaching the Gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people" and is now one of the fastest growing churches in the world and one of only 5 to be found in over 200 countries (Matthew 24:14, 28:14) (This is what our missionary work is all about.),

7. Understood the sacred purpose of ancient temples and is building temples around the world today (currently 114 as of the end of 2003) in which is performed sacred ordinances and instruction as was the ancients,

8. Believes the Gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the "laying on of hands" by those with the true authority as defined in the new testament (Acts 8:14-20), 9. Teaches that the Holy Ghost bears "witness of truth" to the honest seeker (John 14:15-17,21),

10. Carries His name, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (saints in the Biblical church referred to the members of the church, ie. Saints at Ephesus and Corinth, etc).

I hope you don't mind my being so direct with you, but your questions were quite specific and I feel to let you know that I am convinced that Jesus would not confuse his true followers by sanctioning alternative churches or teachings from his own. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) and he warned, "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." (Matthew 7:21) I feel assured the Prophets and Apostle living today are true prophets and I try to follow Christ by following them.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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