The Christian Church
The Christian Church
Although titles such as Prophet, Apostle and the Seventy are biblical, the LDS structure is not.
- All the prophets leading up to Jesus Christ point to Him. Acts 3:18, 24; 10:43, Romans 1:2
- There were also prophets and teachers at work in the first generation of the Christian church, such as: Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, Saul, and Agabus. Acts 13:1, 21:10
- Jesus appointed Twelve Apostles and Paul as an Apostle to the Gentiles. To be one of the Twelve, it was required that they be present from the baptism of John to witnessing Jesus alive after his resurrection. Acts 1:21-22
- The roles of Jesus’ Apostles and the first generation Christian Prophets are foundational to His church, and no others are appointed to such roles.
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone....
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 | — Apostle Paul
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- The authority of Jesus’ Apostles is higher than that of His Prophets.
God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers. | |
| — Apostle Paul
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- With their teachings divinely preserved, Jesus’ Apostles remain His only Apostles today.
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. | |
| — Apostle John
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- With His teachings divinely preserved, Jesus remains the sole head of His church. He fulfills the office of prophet (not to be confused with the gift of prophecy).
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. | |
| — Hebrews 1:1
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Twelve Apostles
The LDS church claims it is the true Christian church in part because it has a modern quorum of twelve apostles. The magic number of twelve has some problems.- Paul, in addition to the Twelve, was set apart by Jesus to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. 2 Timothy 1:11, Romans 11:13
- In the Book of Mormon narrative, when Jesus visited the Americas, he appointed another twelve apostles. 3 Nephi 12:1, Mormon 9:18, Moroni 2:1-2.
This book [of Mormon] also tells us that our Savior made His appearance upon this continent after His resurrection… they had Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists; the same order. | |
 | — Joseph Smith
Mormonism founder |
- Therefore, according to Mormon scripture, there were 25 concurrent apostles in Jesus’ original church.
- To mitigate this issue, the church changed ‘Nephite apostles’ (1981) to ‘Nephite disciples’ in the chapter heading of Moroni, Chapter 2 of the Book of Mormon.
Prophet as Church Leader
The sufficiency of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Apostles makes the need for continual revelation from a sitting prophet unwarranted.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. | |
| — Apostle Paul
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- Over the years, the LDS church has had to engage in damage control to mitigate the controversial and contradictory teachings of its prophets:
- Practicing polygamy—while publicly denying it. Today the church claims that it doesn’t know why it was ever practiced.
Latter-day Saints do not understand all of God’s purposes in instituting, through His prophets, the practice of plural marriage. | |
 | — LDS.org
Gospel Topics Essays |
- Discriminating against Blacks—denying them the priesthood, temple endowments and sealing ordinances. Despite its own canon that teaches Black skin is a curse (1 Nephi 12:23, 2 Nephi 5:21, Jacob 3:9, Alma 3:6, Mormon 5:15, Moses 7:8, 22), the church today says it’s just a “theory”.
Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse. | |
| — LDS.org
Gospel Topics Essays |
- Adam God Doctrine—the teaching advanced by Brigham Young and now disavowed. Jesus Christ warns us that we will know false prophets by their fruit:
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. | |
| — Jesus Christ
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