I would never criticize your faith and the way you have chosen to live your lives. You sound very happy to me, but since you have been so open with me, I hope it's okay for me to be open with you about how I feel.

I have observed that most churches have some portion of truth and those who take their children to church where they are exposed to Christian values and associate with good Christian people have a much better chance of rearing good families and avoiding some of the terrible problems becoming so prevalent in our societies today. I would guess that much of your good Christian foundation was formed in church.

You are likely aware that there are 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 in the 1820s, who received, with his associates, significant divine communication sufficient 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, who 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; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward". (Matthew 10:40-41; see also Amos 3:7 and 2 Peter 1:21) 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. 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),

4. 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),

5. 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),

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

7. 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),

8. Teaches that the Holy Ghost bears "witness of truth" to the honest seeker (John 14:15-17,21), and

9. Carries the His name, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (saints in the early church referred to the members of the church).

If you knew of such a church and had a conviction of its truth, would you be willing to attend church?

Thanks again for your openness to me and I appreciate question and for your generous remarks.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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