Jesus Christ

Imagine you are on the game show “Millionaire,” and the question is asked: “What is the fruit that grows on an apple tree?” You are presented with four possibilities: a) Mango b) Apricot c) Tangerine d) Apple

What are the chances you’d be moving to the next round? Of course, the correct answer is glaringly obvious. Jesus taught the pertinent principle: “For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes” (Luke 6: 44).

Visualize yourself on this same game show; you’ve correctly answered a string of questions and now, you've come to the million dollar question:

Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . . . a Christian Church?
Here are the possibilities: a) Yes b) No c) Maybe d) None of the above.

To this question, how confident would you be, that you would win a million dollars? Let’s do a little research, to make sure that your answer is right--remembering that the fruit that grows on apple trees . . . is apples!

Here is Merriam-Webster's #1 definition for the word Christian: “one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.”

With a million dollars on the line, do you think you would apply definition #1 in giving your answer, or would you risk your million-dollar prize and use a lesser definition?

Now, how might you discern whether “Mormons” (the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ?

Let’s look at the LDS Hymn Book for an indication of what latter-day saints believe; the very Hymn Book that Mormons sing from every week in worship services. What can you conclude from the message of the following hymn?

              Hymn #220 -- Lord, I Would Follow Thee

    Savior may I learn to love thee, Walk the path that thou hast shown.
    Pause to help and lift another, Finding strength beyond my own.
    Savior, may I learn to love thee--Lord, I would follow thee.

    Who am I to judge another When I walk imperfectly?
    In the quiet heart is hidden Sorrow that the eye can’t see.
    Who am I to judge another? Lord, I would follow thee.

    Savior, may I love my brother As I know thou lovest me,
    Find in thee my strength, my beacon, For thy servant I would be.
    Savior, may I love my brother--Lord, I would follow thee.

                  Text: Susan Evans McCloud

Just from reading the lyrics, can you tell whether Susan McCloud is a Christian? What’s your best guess, . . . remembering that apples grow on apple trees? And would Susan cease to be a Christian, if you discovered she is also a latter-day saint, a member of the “Mormon” Church?

The only way we could conclude that the fruit on this “apple tree” is not “apples,” is by denying obvious evidence before our eyes, and invoking blind prejudice. Consider the lyrics to another Mormon Hymn:

              Hymn #197 -- O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown

    O Savior, thou who wearest A Crown of piercing thorn,
    The pain thou meekly bearest, Weigh’d down by grief and scorn.
    The soldiers mock and flail thee; For drink they give thee gall;
    Upon the cross they nail thee To die, O King of all.

    No creature is so lowly, No sinner so depraved,
    But feels thy presence holy, And thru thy love is saved.
    Tho craven friends betray thee, They feel thy love’s embrace;
    The very foes who slay thee Have access to thy grace.

                  Text: Karen Lynn Davidson

Just from reading the words that she wrote, can you tell whether Karen Davidson is a Christian? And would she cease to be a Christian, if you discovered she is also a latter-day saint, a member of the “Mormon” Church?

There are many lesser definitions of the word “Christian” that are contrived and published by antagonists of the LDS Church. And with each of these lesser definitions, Mormons are either included or excluded from the “Christian” category.

But why apply inferior definitions, devised by the minds of men, when we can simply apply the highest definition of “Christian” as declared by Christ Himself, and further reinforced by His apostles and prophets.

In the New Testament we read that “the devils also believe” (James 2: 19, 20) Jesus is the Son of God; so does than mean that the devils are “Christians”? They may meet the standard of “believing” but fail on the criteria of “following.”

Thus, it is wise to augment our previous definition of being Christian with the facet of “following.” From the World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary comes this definition: “A person who believes in Jesus Christ and follows His teachings.”

Following the example of Jesus is an essential element to being Christian, for it is in “following” that “fruits” are manifest. Jesus taught that true believers are the ones that follow:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also” (John 14: 12).

The Apostle Peter echoed this truth with these words:

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not” (1 Peter 2: 21-23).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spends no time in publishing literature that degrades other denominations. In regard to the beliefs of other religions, Mormons take this stand:

“We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may” (A.F. #11).

The LDS Church follows the example of Christ: when He was “reviled” the Savior “reviled not again.” Latter-day Saints are committed to a positive and productive approach to living religion, as stated in this last of thirteen Articles of Faith:

“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” (A.F. #13).

Following the example of the Savior, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not speak “guile” or “revile” against other denominations. Latter-day Saints follow Christian principles; hence, the LDS Church publishes and preaches “wholesome words” (1 Tim. 6: 3), speaks “no guile” and encourages “good conversations” (1 Peter 3: 10, 16).

In the final analysis, the proof is in the pudding--the fruit is on the tree. You can directly discern if Mormons are Christian by reading the words of three LDS leaders, Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ: Jeffrey R. Holland, Dallin H. Oaks, and the late Neil A. Maxwell. You can examine for yourself the fruit that reveals the tree; if these men are Christians, you will easily see . . . that apples are growing on the apple tree.

During his mortal ministry, Christ ordained twelve apostles, and by the laying on of His hands, each apostle was given the power of the priesthood. To his chief apostle Peter, the Lord bestowed the keys of the kingdom: “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt 16: 19).

The significance of priesthood “keys” is this: Peter was authorized by Christ to oversee and approve all ordinances and ordinations within Christ’s Church. This means that a man could not simply take upon himself priesthood authority out of good intentions, knowledge of the scriptures, having an academic degree, or a supposed call from heaven. Any man claiming a call from heaven would also and absolutely be inspired to seek out the living prophet who holds the “keys of the kingdom.” Only the Lord’s prophet can authorize such priesthood ordinations. This is the way Christ has set forth the order in His Church and Kingdom.

This is precisely why the Apostle Paul wrote the following words about priesthood authority: “no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4). Of course, Aaron’s call to receive priesthood power came through his brother Moses--the prophet who held the “keys of the kingdom” during that dispensation of time; Aaron received his ordination of authority under the hands of the Lord's prophet.

Christ directs the affairs of His Church and Kingdom in orderly fashion, and He commands His faithful saints to humbly yield to His way of oneness and unity. In a latter-day revelation, Christ gave this admonition about His way of order:

“I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father, . . . I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38: 4, 27).

To get a clear image of Christ’s expectation of unity and order, pertaining to priesthood power, consider how the Lord Jehovah handled the rebellion of Korah--an insurrection against the prophet Moses, the prophet who held the “keys of the kingdom.”

In the days of Moses, only the descendants of Levi were ordained with priesthood power. The sons of Levi were “separated” (Numbers 16: 9) from all the other tribes of Israel to be the sole possessors of priesthood authority. Remember, the Levites did not receive an inheritance of land like the other tribes of Israel (Joshua 14: 4).

Discontent due to the hardships of wilderness wandering, a rebellion arose against Moses; a Levite named Korah challenged Moses’ authority and leadership saying “thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness” (Numbers 16: 13).

Completely forgetting the marvelous miracles brought forth by Moses--the parting of the Red Sea and deliverance from Pharaoh’s bondage--Korah was able to stir up his boycott based upon the unpopularity of wilderness wandering. Korah gained the support of “two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown” (Numbers 16: 2).

In the face of this insurrection, Jehovah set a stunning precedent as to His expectations of order and unity. He made it clear that His kingdom is not directed by crowd consensus or political popularity. The Lord directed Moses to arrange a defining moment similar to that of Elijah and the pagan priests of Baal, where loyalties would be decided: who would follow the Lord’s prophet or who would follow Korah’s rebellious uprising? In this defining moment “the Lord will shew who are his, and who is holy; . . . even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near” (Numbers 16: 5).

The next day “Korah and all his company” took censors (small metal containers for holding hot coals) “and put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord . . . that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy” (Numbers 16: 7). The ritual of carrying censors containing fire and incense was symbolic of prayerful supplication before God (Revelation 8: 3-4).

As directed by Moses, Korah and his followers appeared before the tabernacle of the congregation, and the prophet said to Korah:

“Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind” (Number 16: 28).

This vital clarification by Moses confirmed that the Lord is in charge of the affairs of His Kingdom; and in fact, it was the Lord’s judgment and decree that the children of Israel should endure the hardships of wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 32: 13)--hardships that Korah and his company were blaming on Moses. Because Korah thought he could lead the children of Israel better than Moses, he took “honour unto himself" seeking to replace the prophet.

What followed was a dramatic display of the Lord’s power in response to Korah’s rebellion; in no uncertain terms the Lord showed His disapproval that Korah and his crew had not obeyed and honored the authority of Moses--the prophet who held the “keys of the kingdom” by the decree of Jehovah.

Moses declared to Korah and his rebellious band of princes that if they should live to an old age and die of natural causes, then “the Lord hath not sent me.” But if “the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, . . . and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD."

And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, . . . went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense” (Numbers 16: 30-35).

Jehovah’s stunning response to Korah’s insurrection demonstrates in dramatic fashion that the God of Israel is in charge, and will call and ordain prophets to direct the affairs of His Kingdom according to His will and wisdom.

"Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, . . . be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38: 1, 27).

There are two basic ways that a church might be organized:

1) Mortal men negotiate and initiate an organization to the praise, and worship, and glory of God--this is good; or

2) Christ appoints prophets and apostles, ordaining them with authority to act in His name, and as Heaven directs, the Church that bears His name is organized--this is best!

In the first scenario, it is easy to discern church organizations established by the good intentions, and political consensus, of mortal men (as opposed to the direct inspiration and authorization of God); the name of man-made organizations usually reflects the imagination of their mortal creators.

Not only is the second scenario superior to the first, it is precisely the way Christ has manifest His Order--His Church. Christ's kingdom on earth is established from the Top down, and not from the bottom up:

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you” (John 15: 16).

The Bible gives abundant witness to the orderly ways of God, and how Christ has directly authorized and empowered prophets and apostles to act in His name.

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 16: 19).

Unless a man is given the “keys of the kingdom” from Christ or from another person who has been ordained by Christ, or from a person empowered through a chain of unbroken ordinations originating in Christ, that man has no claim upon the priesthood authority of God.

Paul reminds us that no man can take “this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5: 4). And how did Paul know this orderly way of Heaven? By direct experience! Paul received the authority of his apostleship through the tangible touch of ordination, by those previously empowered by Jesus Christ:

"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Act 13: 2, 3).

Note the Source that initiated the “call” to Paul--"the Holy Ghost." This is the order of Heaven: Authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ is exclusively given, and passed down, by the laying on of hands; this is the orderly way of ordination:

“And [Jesus] ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils” (Mark 3: 14, 15).

Because Peter was given authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ, this apostle was empowered to perform the very same miracles that Christ performed:

“And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; . . . Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3: 2, 6).

Notice how Peter invoked the name of “Jesus Christ” in performing this miracle. Those who observed the healing of this man “above forty years old” (Acts 4: 22) and “lame from his mother’s womb” . . . “were filled with wonder and amazement.” Peter was quick to acknowledge the divine Source of power that worked through him (Acts 3: 2, 10, 12).

The ways of God are manifest to the children of men according to His direction and order. Christ has established His Church on earth today, and has ordained twelve living apostles to serve at the foundation of His Church (Eph. 2: 20), just as he did during His mortal ministry:

“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils” (Mark 3: 14, 15). “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15: 16).

The way of Heaven is orderly. And when that way is manifest to men and women on earth, it is also orderly. The pattern by which Christ caused His Church to be organized during His mortal ministry, is the same pattern to which we look today. When we see His order, we will recognize His Church.

The pattern of Orderliness and Godliness begins with the bestowing of power to act in His name; that power must originate in the only Source from which it could come--Christ Himself. The Apostle Paul writes:

“And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5: 4).

We see the order of God manifest in the way Aaron was called:

“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office” (Exodus 28: 1).

By the command of Lord Jehovah, the prophet Moses was directed to bestow priesthood power upon his brother Aaron. The manner of bestowing authority to act in the name of God is given in the example of Joshua. When Moses had come to the end of his days, he passed on power to the next prophet of Israel:

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face” (Deut. 34: 9, 10).

Because Moses knew "the LORD" face to face, clearly that great prophet received authority under His hands. Thus, there are two essential elements of order necessary to receiving power from God:

1) Authority to act in His name is bestowed by the laying on of hands; this is called ordination--the way of Godliness is always done in order.

2) Power to act in His name is bestowed either by the tangible touch of Christ Himself or by someone who has previously received priesthood power from Christ, or by someone who has received power from a chain of ordinations originating in Christ.

When the Savior began His mortal ministry, He called disciples and gave them power, ordaining twelve to the calling and authority of Apostle (Matt. 16: 19; Luke 9: 1). Upon this foundation was the Church of Jesus Christ organized:

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2: 19, 20).

The “household of God” is the Church of Jesus Christ, and members of the household of God are called “saints.” This is the pattern established by the Chief Corner Stone, who is Christ.

Why did Christ cause His Church to be organized? In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed these words to the Father:

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. . . . that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one” (John 17: 20-23).

Being fully aware of the Lord’s desire for oneness among those who “believe,” Paul wrote the following words:

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4: 3-5).

In this same epistle to the Ephesians, Paul explains why Christ caused His Church to be organized:

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (Eph. 4: 11-15).

This is the pattern of order that Christ Himself established. When we see this order, we will recognize His Church. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) witness to the world that “the head, even Christ” has personally caused a “restitution” (Acts 3:18-21) of His Church in these latter days, through His chosen prophet, Joseph Smith.