Restored Church Facts
Background
Religion was going through a dark period in the United States in the early 1800's
The state of churches in the early 1800's was much different than now. Virtually every church subscribed to their own creed. In many cases, they required members to sign the creed. There were many instances where two nearby churches of the same "denomination," but slightly different creeds, would not recognize each other's members because they had not signed "their creed." Numerous people, (Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and Benjamin Franklin, to name a few) made statements about the poor state of the clergy and doctrines promoted by the churches of that time.
Joseph Smith, Jr.
Through divine revelation, restored the church from 1830 to 1836. Explanation given in 1843 - "I cannot believe in any of the creeds of the different denominations, because they all have some things in them I cannot subscribe to, though all of them have some truth... I believe the bible, as it ought to be, as it came from the pen of the original writers." He did write a letter to John Wentworth that included a short synopsis of beliefs from the Scriptures:
Epitome of Faith and Doctrine
We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. - (Many scriptural references)
- Exo 32:31-33, Deu 24:16, 2 Kings 14:6, 2 Chr 25:4, Prov 28:10, Jer 31:27-30, Eze 14:13-20, Eze 16:52-54, Eze 22:30-31, Eze 33:2-6 & 13, Luke 6:44, 1 Cor 3:8, Gal 6:2-5, James 1:12-15, Rev 20:12, Book of Mormon: Alma 9:38-55
- Faith first:
Eph 4:5,
Mat 5:4,
Mat 9:28,
Mat 9:35,
Mat 15:27,
Mat 17:19-20,
Mat 21:19,
Mark 2:5,
Mark 16:15,
Luke 16:10-13,
Acts 8:12,
Acts 18:8,
Rom 4:13-16,
Book of Mormon:
Helaman 5:96,
3 Nephi 4:50,
3 Nephi 8:8,
3 Nephi 12:32
- Repentance before baptism:
Mat 3:28,
Mat 4:16,
Mat 7:9,
Mark 6:10-12,
Mark 16:15-16,
Luke 13:2-5,
Luke 15,
Acts 2:37-41,
Acts 3:18-21,
Acts 8:34-39,
Book of Mormon: Moroni 8:9-29 (includes no infant baptism)
- Baptism by immersion:
Rom 6:3-5,
Col 2:12,
Greek Baptisma (
Mat 3:7,
20:22,
20:23,
21:25;
Mark 1:4,
10:38,
10:39,
11:30;
Luke 3:3,
7:29,
12;50,
20:4;
Acts 1;22,
10:37,
13:24,
18:25,
19:3,
19:4;
Rom 6:4;
Eph 4:5;
Col 2:12;
1 Peter 3:21) and Baptizo (
Mat 3, 20, 28, Mark 1, 6, 7;
Luke 3,
7,
11,
12;
John 1,
3,
4,
10;
Acts 1,
2,
8,
9,
10,
16,
18,
19,
22;
Rom 6;
1 Cor 1,
10,
12,
15;
Gal 3
). Commentary: Baptisma is always used for immersion (even in non-biblical Greek documents). Bapto means dip and never used to refer to baptism (i.e. conversion of faith).
- Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 5:23-26 [23] And he said unto them, On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you. [24] Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them: Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. [25] And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. [26] And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:37-41,
Hebrews 10:16-22 (Commentary: In Judaism, the heart held wisdom, and wisdom can only come from God through His Holy Spirit. The phrase, "having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience," refers to the Holy Spirit pouring on evil hearts and not the sprinkling of water). Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 4:50
- Called of God: Deu 18:1-7,
Exo 19:3-6 (repeated in 1 Peter 2:4-9),
Num 16:1-3,
10-11,
20-21 (God's response to self-chosen priesthood, also Psalm 106:13-17),
1 Sam 16:1-13,
2 Chr 26:3-4,
17-21,
Psalm 105:26,
Isaiah 51:2,
Mat 12:17-18,
John 15:15-16,
Acts 9:3-12 (Paul called as Aaron),
Acts 9:15,
22:10-14,
Heb 7:1-2,
8-11,
1 Cor 7:17-24,
1 Cor 12:13-28 (God "sets"),
Heb 5:4-10,
1 Peter 2:4-9,
Rev 17:14,
Book of Mormon:
Mosiah 11:18,
Alma 8:10
- Laying on of Hands:
- Ordaining: ("semikah" - "This is my property, which I dedicate to God."). All Jewish religious leaders who were not Aaronic priests (Kohanim) had to be ordained before they were permitted to perform certain judicial functions and to decide practical questions in Jewish law. The Bible relates that Moses ordained Joshua by placing his hands on him, thereby transferring a portion of his spirit [Holy Spirit] to Joshua (Num. 27:22-23;
Deut. 34:9),
Num 11:16-17,
Num 11:24-25,
Num 27:18-23,
Deu 34:9,
1 Sam 16:11-13,
Acts 6:2-6,
Acts 13:2-3,
1 Tim 4:11-16,
Book of Mormon: Alma 4:1, Moroni 2:1-3, Moroni 3:1-3
- Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Gift to members):
Exo 24:3-8,
Ezek 39:21-22,
John 7:39,
Acts 8:14-17,
Acts 19:4-6,
Heb 6:1-3,
Book of Mormon: Moroni 2:1
- Administration of the sick:
Mark 6:4-5,
Luke 4:40,
Luke 13:12-13,
Acts 28:8,
Book of Mormon: Mormon 4:86-87
- Blessing of children: Mat 19:13-15, Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 8:12-26
- God's priesthood existed before Aaron:
Gen 14:18,
Exo 3:1 &
18:12,
Exo 12:21,
Exo 19:20-22,
Psa 110:4,
Col 1:12-19,
Heb 7:11-12
- Prophets:
Acts 13:1,
1 Cor 12:28-29,
Eph 4:11-12,
Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi 1:3, 1 Nephi 1:162, 1 Nephi 5:226
- Apostles:
1 Cor 12:28-29,
Eph 4:11-12,
Book of Mormon: Moroni 2:2
- Evangelists: Eph 4:11-12
- High Priests:
Lev 21:10,
Num 35:25,
2 Kings 12:10,
Neh 3:1,
Hag 1:1,
Mat 26:3,
Heb 5:10,
Book of Mormon: Alma_10:1
- Bishops:
Phil 1:1,
1 Tim 3:1-2
- Seventy:
Num 11:16,
Luke 10:1
- Elders: Exo 12:21, Book of Mormon: Alma 2:11, JewishEncyclopedia.com - The position and function of the elder are nowhere clearly defined. "What there was of permanent official authority lay in the hands of the elders and heads of the houses; Together with the priests, they sometimes participated in certain sacrificial rites (Lev. iv. 15, Lev. ix. 1). Book of Mormon: 1 Nep 1:125, Alma 2:11, Alma 2:23, Alma 4:1, Moroni 3:1, Moroni 3:1, Moroni 6:2
- Priests:
John 1:19,
Eph 4:11-12,
Book of Mormon:
2 Nephi 4:42,
Mosiah 9:51-53,
Alma 2:11
- Teachers:
John 3:2,
Acts 13:1,
1 Cor 12:28-29,
Eph 4:11-12,
2 Tim 1:11,
Rom 12:4-8,
Book of Mormon:
2 Nephi 4:42,
Alma 2:11
- Deacons:
1 Chr 9:22,
Phil 1:1,
1 Tim 3:10-13
-
1 Kings 3:9-11,
2 Chr 9:29,
2 Chr 26:5,
Eze 1:1,
Eze 8:3-4,
Eze 13:16,
Dan 1:17,
Hos 12:9-10,
Joel 2:27-28,
Rom 12:6-8,
1 Cor 12:7-11,
1 Cor 12:28,
Book of Mormon: Omni 1:35,
Omni 1:44,
Mosiah 5:72-77,
Alma 7:31
- 1 John 4:1-3 [1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. [2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God; Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God; [3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now it is already in the world.
- Bible:
John 1:1-14,
Rom 1:3,
Gal 4:4,
1 Pet 3:18,
Luke 24:36-43,
John 20:19-29,
John 14:6,
Acts 4:10-12
- Book of Mormon:
Mosiah 8:13, 28-29,
Mosiah 1:97-105,
Alma 5:23,
3 Nephi 5:11-17,
Mosiah 1:116-118, 8:89
-
Eccl 3:9-11,
Isa 48:5-8,
Mat 13:9-13,
Rom 11:21-25,
1 Cor 2:4-10,
Eph 3:1-10,
Eph 5:21-33,
Col 1:26-28,
Col 2:1-3,
Col 4:3-5,
Rev 17:3-9,
Book of Mormon:
1 Nephi 3:27-32,
Alma 9:13-20,
Alma 19:31
- In the early 1800's, this statement was considered to be an impossible occurrence. The gathering and restoration of Israel started in the 1880's through 1948 when the country of Israel was officially recognized
Restored Church History
- Vision of God, 1820. Smith was told that creeds were incorrect and not to join any of the churches.
- Sept 22, 1827, Angel of the Lord directed Joseph Smith Jr. to metal plates and Urim and Thummim
- Used the Urim and Thummim to translate the Book of Mormon - published 1830
- Joseph Smith Jr. organized the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1830, completed the organization, 1836
- Joseph Smith Jr. killed by a mob in 1844
- Brigham Young and 10% of the church went to Utah in 1846 and started a different church-Latter Day Saints (LDS)
- The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) organized in 1860, Joseph Smith III president
- Kirtland Temple Suit, 1880, "The Reorganization is the legal successor to the church organized April 6, 1830... polygamy and kindred false doctrines were first promulgated and adopted by the church in Utah"
- Canada, Court of the Queen's Bench, Chancery, 1893, "Assuming that Christianity is the law of the land in a sense, there is nothing contrary to Christianity in the tenets of this [ed: RLDS] body."
- Circuit Court of the United States, Missouri, 1893, "The Reorganized Church is in line of succession and has kept the faith"
- Doctrine shifts and doctrine changes in the RLDS church, 1958 to 1980's
- Branches that did not accept doctrine changes were locked out of their church buildings, 1984, and became loosely organized as Restoration Branches of the Church of Jesus Christ or remained independent
- Restoration Branches formally organized beginning in the late 1980's
- Current Restoration Branches Website
Sacraments and Ordinances
Patriarchal Blessing: - Gen 14:19; Mercer Dictionary of the Bible: Blessings were also requested by and given through power-filled mediators, family heads, priests, kings, and prophets. Patriarchs blessed their heirs by both the spoken word and the laying on of hands (Gen 27:1-45; 48:1-20).
- Baptism. Only mode is by immersion. Candidate needs faith and true repentance. At least 8 years old.
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit (confirmation) with laying on of hands.
- Communion. Witness that we will keep God's commandments. Only served to those who have been baptized.
- Administration of the sick. Uses laying on of hands. Given to all that ask.
- Blessing of children (under 8 years old). Uses laying on of hands. Parents may be members or non-members.
- Priesthood ordination. Uses laying on of hands (i.e. Semikah in the Old Testament, Num 27:23).
- Marriage. Only between one man and one woman. Mark 10:6-7, 1 Cor 7:2-4
- Patriarchal Blessing. Gives an authoritative, priestly blessing. Blessing may include comfort, admonition, counsel, redirection, reconstruction, and/or benediction. Typically given once to those 15+ years old.
The Book of Mormon
- RLDS Versification - Read online
- Consists of a collection of independent books written by different authors (just like the Bible)
- The first baptism described in the collection occurred at a place called the Waters of Mormon, so, the collection of books is called the Book of Mormon
- Book of Mormon describes three groups of people that ended up in Mesoamerica
- One group that left Mesopotamia after the fall of the Great Tower, 3100 B.C, Book of Mormon: Ether 1
- One group that left in the first year of Zedekiah, 600 B.C., Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi 1
- One group that left after the death of Zedekiah, 586 B.C., Book of Mormon: Omni 1:26
- People in opposition to these groups killed almost all of them by 400 A.D.
RLDS and LDS Differences
(JofD=Journal of Discourses; D&C=Doctrine & Covenants). Brigham Young introduced the following doctrines into the LDS church (not supported by the RLDS / Restoration Branches):
- Changeable God "the God I serve is progressing eternally." (JoD, Vol 11, p120).
- Different Gospel - Adam not made of this earth (JofD, vol 3, p319), God was a man (JofD, Vol 4, p218), and multiple gods (LDS D&C 121)
- Jesus' atonement was imperfect (JofD, vol 4, p219-220)
- Man may become Gods (JofD, vol7, p333)
- Celestial Marriage (marriage that extends after death) (JofD, vol 15, p133, LDS D&C 132)
- Polygamy (Book of Mormon states it is an abomination-twice)
- Adam was God (JofD, vol 1, p50, manuscript 10/8/1861)
- False prophesies Brigham Young never claimed to be a prophet chosen by God, but declared his word equaled Scripture (JofD, Vol 13, p264)
- Different Christ - not a virgin birth (JofD, Vol 1, p50)
- Heavenly Mother (JofD, vol 9, p286; JofD, vol 11, p122)
- Exaltation - priesthood is mandatory and progresses through tiers of offices in order to achieve the highest realm in Heaven (and become a god)(JofD, vol 4, p194-199)
