On Wednesday evening Dec.3, 2008 our Bible study class was visited by two young men who called themselves “elders”. When class was over, we met with them to discuss the history of the Church of Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as Mormons).

The Church of Christ had its beginning in Jerusalem by apostles whom Jesus appointed, and is recorded in Acts 2. In verse 41 baptized believers were added to that church in the year AD 33. We use no creed, discipline, or manual since we are warned that a curse will be placed on anyone who alters the scriptures buy adding or deleting (Rev._22:18-19). Consequently we use only the cannon (or the bible) to guide us. It was further pointed out the qualifications for elders as given in 1Tim 3 & Titus 1. Both passages require that elders must be married men with children. These two young men were no more than twenty years old, are not married and have no family of their own.

They admit that the Latter Day Saints had its beginning in1830 AD by Joseph Smith on the North American continent. They use their bible (the book of Mormon) to supplement what they claim is missing in the scriptures. They contend that Joseph Smith was a modern day prophet much as the prophets who are mentioned in the Old Testament who spoke to the people for God. Since the Jews rejected Jesus and there were many churches preaching different gospels, in a vision Joseph Smith saw the Lord God and Jesus. He asked them “which church is the right church?” He was told there was no true church and that he, Joseph Smith, was commissioned by God himself to start the true church in the America.

What do the scriptures say concerning the Church? Isaiah_2:3 “We will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” The prophet Isaiah said, “We will walk in Christ’s paths” – not the paths of Joseph Smith and not in America but in Jerusalem. The Latter Day Saints have the wrong place, the wrong time and the wrong man. The kingdom, church, shall endure “forever” (Daniel_2:44). In addition, Galatians_1:6-8 warns against someone (even an angel) “perverting” and bringing “a different gospel”.

Both men received the tract “The Gospel of Christ” along with a phone number - hoping they will return soon to continue our discussion on the Church of Christ.

Bill Watkins