Question: I love God. The question I have for you is this. Many argue against the LDS by quoting the scripture where it says that even if an angel of heaven appears to you and offers you any other gospel than this, do not believe it. The story of Joseph Smith seeing the angel and receiving the book of Mormon, isn't this an example of that?
Response: e need more people in this world of all faiths who love God. It is the greatest of all the commandments. (Luke 10:27)
In your question, I believe you are quoting Paul as he wrote, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (New Testament | Galatians 1:6 - 9)
My understanding of this scripture is that Paul is warning of those who would pervert the true gospel. He emphasizes his point by saying that even if he or an angel were to preach another gospel they would be accursed. He is not saying that if an angel were to appear and bring a message from God, we should not listen to him.
We believe that after the Apostles were all killed (and John was banished to Patmos) Revelation, the means by which the Lord directed his church, was discontinued. (Galatians 1:11-12) The doctrine, organization, ordinances and authority were all "perverted" by men whose own interpretations and values crept in. Of course, there are religions that claim that theirs is like the original church that the Savior founded. Then there are churches who say that the church the Savior established fell into apostasy, and so a 'Reformation' was necessary
We believe in the latter of the two opinions, that there was a complete apostasy but that the promise of a "restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" has now been fulfilled. (Acts 3:21) To restore the details of the original doctrine, organization, ordinances and most of all, the authority of Christ's church, required significant divine communication. The appearance of heavenly messengers (angels) were a part of that and their appearance and method of communication was not unlike the heavenly messengers who announced to Zacharias the birth of John the Baptist and to 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 scriptures. We also believe that there are Twelve Apostles who lead the Church in these latter days. We believe by revelation, like those of old.
