Mormons believe in—Christ's Church

{Article of Faith #5} discusses our belief in authority, and why authority is a necessary component in the Kingdom of God. Correct authority upholds the organization of The Church, as shown throughout the Old Testament and New Testament. Without it, there would be chaos and confusion, and neither of those are characteristics of God.

Since the days of Adam, there has been an order, given to man through prophets of God. When Christ came to earth He became The Prophet and continued in building and organizing the Church. Because He fulfilled the Mosaic Law, some aspects of the Jewish faith were no longer required and new direction was given. So how was Christ's church organized? Here's what we learn from the scriptures:

1. I believe this is the most important one to understand and believe in—"Christ is the head of the Church" (Ephesians 5:23). He is called "the Chief Cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:20). A cornerstone is the first point set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. 



A representation of a cornerstone.

2. The church is also "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets" (Ephesians 2:20). The foundation is built outward from the cornerstone and provides the structural integrity for the rest of the building. As we all know, without a foundation the building will be incredibly unstable. This is a principle Christ taught in the parable of the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man build his house upon the rock and the foolish man built his house upon the sand. When the rains came, the floods rose, and the winds beat upon their respective houses, it is easy to guess whose stood still and strong, and whose was washed away (Matthew 7:24-27). I believe that prophets and apostles were not just needed in the Bible, but are needed always! We want our church and our faith to be built upon a strong foundation. Christ is at the head, the cornerstone. The prophets and apostles provide that much needed direct connection with Heaven so we can build our faith on a firm foundation and have confidence in the path we tread. 
3. Christ is the ultimate delegator. He could do it all . . . but He doesn't. He gives assignments, for how else would we learn and grow? The apostles and prophets couldn't do it all on their own either. For the Lord's work to really progress and be taught to all people, there had to be more: "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" (Ephesians 4:11-13). God and Jesus Christ are unified. They want us to be unified with them. How can we become unified with them and with each other if there are so many different denominations?
4. The scriptures tell us the answer is simple: There is only one Church. "There is one body, and one Spirit . . . One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). There was only one church in the Old Testament. There was only one church in the New Testament. There was only one church in the Book of Mormon. 

It's easy to understand how Christ was at the head of the Church when He was on the earth, because He was there in the flesh. But what about when He left? Nothing changed—it was, and still is, His Church. He has always had prophets, and eventually apostles, to carry out His work as He directs, whether or not He is physically present. They in turn delegate responsibility and authority to evangelists, teachers, and pastors to continue teaching the Gospel. This is how the Church functioned after Christ died, this is how it has been structured since the days of Adam, and it is my sincere belief that this is how His Church is organized today.

"Now ye are the body of Christ [i.e. Church of Christ], and members . . . And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"

(1 Corinthians 12:27-30)

Read more: {Article of Faith #7} Miracles and gifts of the Spirit are an integral part of Christ's Church.