During the lifetime of the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., the church he founded by thedirection of God underwent many changes which proved to be a factor in the divisionwhich occurred after his death in 1844. It is argued that the church is subject tochange because of growth and changing times. This is only partially true. The basicand ultimate requirements must remain inflexible, or else the statement"I am the Lord,I change not"is found to be false (see Malachi 3:6, Utah D&C; 20:17, RLDS D&C; 17:4).So, also, when Jesus said, "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall notprevail against it", we see the timeless, unchanging character of that church. From the earliest days of the restoration of the "fullness of the gospel" (1 Nephi10:14, Utah Book of Mormon), we have told the world that this included a restorationof divine priesthood authority, and by which the true Church of Christ would berestored as in the time of Christ and the ancient apostles. This was, in fact, theintent of God as revealed in the Book of Commandments 4:5, in March 1829: "And thus if the people of this generation harden not their hearts, I will work areformation among them, and I will put down all lyings, and deceivings, andpriestcrafts...and I will establish my church, like unto the church which was taughtby my disciples in the days of old." This is deleted from all books of Doctrine and Covenants, which was first published in1835, two years after publication of the Book of Commandments! By this time, thechurch's name was changed, which church was organized according to, or, "by the willand commandments of God", and into this same section (Utah D&C; 20; RLDS D&C; 17) wasintroduced a first presidency, high priest, etc. The Book of Commandments, chapter24 (this same revelation), does not contain these offices. Many changes were madein the revelations to support offices not originally provided for, and these wereintroduced by mennot God! All comparison to the divine pattern should be with theNew Testament of the Bible and with the Book of Mormon after Christ had come to theAmerican continent. The same is true of doctrinal points. With these thoughts in mind, note the following comparison of church beliefs and practice: |
| Doctrine | C of C | LDS | RLDS |
| First Presidency | No | Yes | Yes |
| High Priests | No | Yes | Yes |
| Patriarchs | No | Yes | Yes |
| 12 Apostles at the head | Yes | No | No |
| A prophet at the head | No | Yes | Yes |
| Prophets | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Church name as of 1830 | Yes | No | No |
| Bible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Book of Mormon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Book of Commandments | * | No | No |
| Doctrine and Covenants | * | Yes | Yes |
| Pearl of Great Price | No | Yes | No |
| Baptism | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Baptism for the dead | No | Yes | No |
| Celestial Marriage | No | Yes | No |
| Polygamy | No | Yes ** | No |
| Man to become a God | No | Yes | No |
| God, once a man | No | Yes | No |
| Temple in Zion (Indep., MO) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other temples (exc. Jerusalem) | No | Yes | Kirtland |
* Joseph Smith gave many revelations, but not all were divine. All revelation must be in harmony with the Bible and Book of Mormon, the only safe standards. See Isaiah 8:20 and Ezekiel 37:19 only two "sticks" or "books" of scripture.
** Utah D&C; provides for plural marriages, but the practice was since declared illegal by President Woodruff.
The Church of Christ is a remnant of the original church of 1830, being neither disorganized nor reorganized. Its priesthood may be traced back, intact, to Joseph Smith and the angel. Early church innovations were accepted for a time, but we later repudiated them, reverting to the scriptural pattern in organization and doctrine. As the Bible and Book of Mormon were said to contain the fullness of the gospel, a fullness will admit of no new doctrine nor priesthood office. See D&C;, Utah ed. 42:12,59; RLDS ed. 42:5,16.
For further information, write to:
Church of Christ (Temple Lot)
P.O. Box 472
Independence, Missouri 64051.
