(Disclaimer: These views are all based on my knowledge and interpretation as an active Latter Day Saint, or “Mormon”, only the actual article of faith I list should be considered “official”. Still, I try to be accurate and do my homework 
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
Core to Mormon Doctrine is the notion of divine authority, the priesthood of God. For something to be binding in heaven it must be done by the proper authority. No man can simply declare himself an authority and conduct the eternally binding business of the Lord on the earth. A man cannot simply aspire to an office, calling, or ministry, or declare any authority of himself or through his education or accomplishments (”And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that was called of God, as was Aaron” Hebrews 5:4)
But rather we believe that a man must be called of God by divine inspiration and revelation by those who are in authority, and then given the keys, or the rights, to administer in specific and limited ways.
So, you might ask, wherein do “those who are in authority” claim their authority? The answer is the same now as it was in the days of Christ - from the Lord. For the priesthood and the keys to administer thereof must be passed directly, by the laying on of hands, in an unbroken chain.
When Christ was crucified, there began a great apostasy, where truth diminished, the gospel became polluted with the teachings man, and the rights of the priesthood were removed from the earth, for those who held it were killed, or died. Because of that great falling away, it became crucial for a complete restoration, not only of truth, but of authority, for the work of God must continue today as it did in Christ’s time (”he is the same yesterday, today, and forever” Hebrews 13:8).
So Mormons believe that there was a great restoration, where the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, along with the priesthood authority to administer the gospel and the affairs of the church were brought back to the earth in their totality, through the prophet Joseph Smith. And that since that time, those keys have been passed in an unbroken chain, by the laying on of hands, down through the generations to our present day, at all times overseen by a prophet of God, just as in times of old (”for surely the Lord God will do nothing except he reveal his secret to his servants, the prophets” Amos 3:7).
What’s even more interesting is that in practice, it creates a dynamic within the church that is indeed very unique.
For since all who serve are called of God, and don’t “graduate” or “earn” a position, you have no idea who might be called, or when. Consequently, the people that lead the church today, even the very apostles and prophet, all come from different walks of life. None of them aspired to their position. And since the general “clergy” of the church are unpaid (very unique indeed), they all continue to work, serving the Lord in their various capacities in an entirely volunteer manner.
None of these are professional “clergymen”, but rather ordinary people, called to do extraordinary things and make extraordinary sacrifices, enabled and empowered by the extraordinary power and priesthood of God. Because he whom the Lord calls, he qualifies. Through divine assistance, they’re able to conduct the Lords work on the earth, far beyond what would is befitting their native capacities.
How wonderful it is to know that we are led by men who have been called of God, chosen and called up to do his work, and who are given the authority and rights to function in ways that make the ordinances for our salvation official, binding, and eternal.
Rusty
See also Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post, Rusty.
This concept is the one my family and friends have had the hardest time with. Like many concepts, it can’t be scientifically proven, and I am definitely not an intellcetual, but by study and faith and answer to prayer, I know this to be true.
Ditchu said in an earlier post that he hoped we are extraordinary. I believe that by our beliefs we are peculiar and extraordinary. I’m sure there will be a lot of discussion on this one.
“When Christ was crucified, there began a great apostasy, where truth diminished, the gospel became polluted with the teachings man, and the rights of the priesthood were removed from the earth, for those who held it were killed, or died.”
So we can say with confidence, that Jesus is a liar, when he said to Peter:
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Are you saying Rusty, that God didn’t know how to build a Church? That He couldn’t pick the right men to lead his Church?
“When Christ was crucified, there began a great apostasy, where truth diminished, the gospel became polluted with the teachings man, and the rights of the priesthood were removed from the earth, for those who held it were killed, or died. Because of that great falling away, it became crucial for a complete restoration, not only of truth, but of authority, for the work of God must continue today as it did in Christ’s time …”
I would hope that Mormons would be open enough to be willing to question this. It is just too convenient for Joseph Smith and those who follow after him. It provides a reason to exclude or minimize almost all New Testament writings, especially Paul. It suggests that there was no faithful church in existence for a very long period of time. It suggests essentially that God has no control or influence over the events of history for hundreds of years … or at the very least, abandoned the church. Do you really want to say these things?
The Mormon church emphasizes “revelation” because that allows it to distance itself from the rest of Christianity … the so-called apostate church … and make claims about “truth” that run counter to all that was God-led for centuries. Yes, corruption existed … but so did faith and the true church.
Lutherans, at least, teach the “priesthood of all believers” but for good order set apart some (ordination, consecration, etc.) for particular ministry, such as “Word and Sacrament”.
Pondering Pastor
I was away from home for a few days.
“How else can you describe the pervasive belief that God won’t reveal any more to us?” This is often misunderstood by Mormons, and you repeat that misunderstanding. God continues to grant revelation … it is that the canon is closed. Those are two different things. The closing of the canon was due, in part, to competing claims made about what constituted necessary scripture. To suggest that God won’t reveal any more to us is to say that the Holy Spirit is not active. You get that correct. It’s just that your starting point, the assumption that Christians teach that there is no more revelation, is wrong. Christian churches boldly claim that God continues to provide revelation to God’s people … through the work and gift of the Holy Spirit.
Really, part of the problem is how Mormons and Christians differ in many of the terms used, and in how those terms are applied. We use the same words but we are not speaking of the same things. It is my belief that the leaders and creators of the Mormon Church (and I don’t believe that to be God) have twisted scripture and these phrases to justify a particular perspective. They can make it say whatever they want it to say by re-defining terms and saying that the Christian church was apostate.
“But I ask that no man simply trust in my words, but rather that they should do as James suggests – read the Book of Mormon, and ask God for yourself if it is not true, for I can assuredly testify that revelation is as obtainable today as it ever was.”
I have read it. I have asked God if it is true. God says no, it is not true. It is not as self-evident as you want to believe.
Pondering Pastor
I just have to add something.
In 1967 I was almost ready to graduate from college. I had been searching for purpose in my life. By the end of January I had been investigating the LDS Church for about 6 weeks. I had read the Book of Mormon and felt good about it. All of my friends at school and all of my family were against me becoming a member. These people were all very important to me-but still-I had to know for myself.
It was Saturday night and most of my friends were gone, so I was alone in the dorm. I got down on my knees and began to pray. For 3 hours no answer came but I was persistent. I HAD to know!
About 2 AM the answer finally came. From my head to my toes I knew the Book of Mormon was the Word of God, and that He wanted me to be baptized. From that day until this I can’t deny it.
The answer didn’t come easily. It seldom does when that answer is so important. It was an absolute life change for me and the life I have now is 100% a result of that answer and the decision that followed.
It hasn’t all been easy. I’ve had my share of ups and downs, but I have never doubted that my decision was right. I absolutely know it was right. I can see it in the faces of my husband, kids and grandkids-especially the grandkids.
My experience is a personal one, I can’t tell anyone what to do or how to do it. I’m just sharing my own experiences and feelings. Many others have had more dramatic experiences than mine. I’m just grateful that mine came to me when I was ready for it, and for the life I have been able to live.
“Out of curiosity, how did God tell you that it was not true? Indeed, one must ask in faith, having actually read, not to prove incorrect, but to understand. Can you tell me, with sincerity, that you read to understand? Were you a pastor when you read the Book of Mormon? Finally, what was it that prompted you to read it?”
Well, one must be careful here. Believers often will suggest that when the answer is not the same as theirs, the reading wasn’t done honestly, or seeking faith, or seeking answers. Yes, I read to understand. Given to me by extended family members to read. Not a pastor when read. How did God tell me? In a voice as clearly as any other times that has happened to me, and the voice said something to the effect of “this is what happens when people feel alienated from the church” and “these people have been misled”. The kind of experience that Margaret describes is exactly the kind of experience I’ve heard countless number of times from those who have entered Christian churches because of their experiences, so it happens outside the Mormon church also.
In fact, one of the most recent “God experiences” I’ve had was finding this blog at just the time you were starting up the Articles of Faith discussion, and was compelled to engage in civil conversation/refutation
and education about these matters from a Lutheran perspective. I wasn’t out there looking for this task.
Leaders in a church are more accountable than those who have been led. Christ says “Woe” to those who lead others astray.
Pondering Pastor
Some good reflection here.
I agree that just because “things come together” does not mean that we understand why or can attribute them entirely to God. That is a matter of discernment of the work of the Holy Spirit.
I would offer a small challenge to your “wholly dependent upon their own experience with the Holy Spirit”. The book of Acts and Paul’s writings (and often Mormon teaching) says that the experiences of the Holy Spirit are to be confirmed by other believers. Our culture often suggests individualism when reading scripture. That “rumbling” inside might be gas and the conversations with God in my head might be mental illness.
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Of course, pretending that your conditions were true, then this makes sense. As you properly guess, I dismiss the assumptions you make to draw the conclusions.
Lutherans (well, most of us) won’t claim to be the one true church. One way that I’ve thought about denominationalism is to suggest that people are drawn to those church bodies where they might “fit best”… where their gifts for ministries and needs might be met. Denominations become simply parts of the body of Christ as Paul describes. Our brand of Lutheranism has worked hard in ecumenical relations with other Christians, trying to find ways to lift the common ground rather than seeing Lutheranism as the pinnacle of God’s church. I’ll help a person connect with a church of another Christian denomination.
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Lutherans in particular have been willing to embrace paradox when it comes to our experience and encounter with God, and that is a difficult thing to describe. I maintain that it means that we take seriously all of scripture, and not disregard those sections which seem to contradict others.
God is loving and forgiving and wrathful and judgmental all at the same time. God demands obedience and is gracious at the same time. We can’t not sin and yet, being called to obedience, attempt to live upright lives. I am slave and free at the same time. I am saint and sinner at the same time. What we are clear about is that we are not saved through our “works”. God’s forgiveness is complete and not conditional. We are held accountable and forgiven at the same time.
Critics often say that we Lutherans talk out of both sides of our mouths. But once again, scripture says both things. Am I saved? Yes, for I am a baptized child of God, and Christ has already freed me. Am I a sinner, held accountable for my deeds? Certainly. Well, which one is true? Both … at the same time.
Pondering Pastor
For what it’s worth, I investigated several churches before finding the “Mormons”. There was Catholic, Methodist, Episcopalian, and Lutheran. One of my roommates was Lutheran and we were and still are very good friends. I never had a similar experience with any of those churches. I met lots of wonderful people during those years. There are wonderful people in all of them. I can’t adequately put my experience into words. I don’t think anyone can understand it without experiencing it themselves. I definitely didn’t take the easy way, but for me it was the only way. Thankfully, my family and my most important friends didn’t disown me. That has happened with some.
I have a great deal of respect for you, pondering pastor, and I am glad you’re here, but truth can’t be refuted. I know this to be true.
This is for pondering pastor. I owe you an apology. In my zeal to defend my testimony, I temporarily forgot that religion is not like math or science. As has been said before, it can’t be proven by facts or numbers. However, my experience with prayer, to me, gave me knowledge that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord’s true Church. I approached it with a real desire to know if it was true. Maybe that is a difference between you and me-the approach.
During my first 2 years of college I spent weekends studying the churches of my friends. I wasn’t trying to prove them wrong, but I wanted to find what was right. Not finding what I was looking for, I gave up for a while and attended no church, except when I went home to visit my family.
Then as a senior student nurse, I was assigned to take care of an LDS missionary. I was uncomfortable at first, but the more we talked, and the more I read and learned, the more excited I became. He was sent home due to illness, but 2 others took over where he left off. I can see the Lord’s hand in all of this. It could be dismissed as coincidence, but I know better.
I agree with you that people go to the church where they fit best. it would have been so much easier for me to just find a conventional Christian church. My friends and family would have been fine with that and I wouldn’t have had to make any major changes in my life. The problem was-I didn’t “fit” there. I do fit where I am now. I fit very well.