The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Q: Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Biblical?

Not gathered on divine ground. This body gathers on a founder and an order of priesthood. Its Articles of Faith state: "We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth." They also state that a man "must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority". This verdict concerns the ground of gathering, not the salvation of any individual. Whoever truly believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is a member of the one body, wherever they gather; ‘[The] Lord knows those that are his’ (2 Timothy 2:19).

Latter-day Saints · 1830 · United States; worldwide

Organized on April 6, 1830 by Joseph Smith, by the church's own account a restoration of the original church under revived priesthood authority, with the Book of Mormon received as scripture alongside the Bible.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed in 1830. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues today. It was organized apart from any body on this tree, so no line is drawn.

At a glance

Formed: In 1830
Family: Latter-day Saints
Region: United States; worldwide
Key figures: Joseph Smith
Cause tags: Doctrine, Governance
Also known as: Latter-day Saints

What it teaches

The church teaches faith in God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. It holds the Bible to be the word of God "as far as it is translated correctly" and also the Book of Mormon. It teaches faith, repentance, baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands, and that God "does now reveal".

Scripture. "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." (Articles of Faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, art. 8)
God. "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." (Articles of Faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, art. 1)
Salvation. "Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel." (Articles of Faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, art. 3)
Baptism. "Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins." (Articles of Faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, art. 4)
Lord's Supper. Members "partake of the bread and water to remember the Savior's sacrifice of His flesh and blood and to renew their sacred covenants". (General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 18.9)

Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Biblical?

Not gathered on divine ground.

April 6, 1830. The church's own scripture dates its organization to "the sixth day of the month which is called April" of 1830, by commandments "given to Joseph Smith".

This body gathers on a founder and an order of priesthood. Its Articles of Faith state: "We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth." They also state that a man "must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority". In each ward, "the bishop holds the priesthood keys for administering the sacrament". Scripture gives another center: the Lord himself in the midst of those gathered to His name (Matthew 18:20).

“All local assemblies which are not gathered on the recognition of the whole body of Christ can only be sectarian.”
H. L. Rossier, What is a Meeting of the Assembly?, pt. 2

Sources: Doctrine and Covenants 20, vv. 1–2; Articles of Faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, art. 5–6; General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 18.9.1.

This verdict concerns the ground of gathering, not the salvation of any individual. Whoever truly believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is a member of the one body, wherever they gather; ‘[The] Lord knows those that are his’ (2 Timothy 2:19).

Meeting comparison

Row	A typical Latter-day Saint Sunday	The assembly meeting in Scripture
Gathered to	Members meet "to worship God and partake of the sacrament".General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 18.9	The Lord's name alone, on the ground of the one bodyMatthew 18:20; Ephesians 4:3–4; Rossier pt. 2
Who presides	"The bishop presides at sacrament meeting unless a member of the stake presidency, an Area Seventy in his area, or a General Authority attends."General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.1.2	The Lord Jesus, personally in the midst. No man presides.Matthew 18:20; Psalm 22:22; Rossier pt. 3; Kingscote pp. 10–11
Lord's Supper	The sacrament, "Each Sunday", with bread and water. "The sacrament is the main focus of the meeting."General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.1; General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.1.1; General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 18.9	Every first day of the week. It is the main object of the gathering.Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, 11:18–26; Rossier pt. 4; Miller p. 95
Who administers the Supper	"Priests and Melchizedek Priesthood holders may bless the sacrament. Deacons, teachers, priests, and Melchizedek Priesthood holders may pass the sacrament."General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 18.9.2	No one. "The very idea of a person standing apart and claiming to administer it as a right alters and ruins the Supper."Kelly, in Huebner pp. 40–41
Who takes part audibly	"The bishopric selects speakers for sacrament meeting. Most often they invite ward members, including youth and children." Once a month, members bear testimony.General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.1.4; General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.2	Brothers, as the Spirit leads, one by one. Two or three speak and the others judge.1 Corinthians 14:26–33; Rossier pt. 6; Kingscote pp. 12–13
Women	Priesthood offices are conferred on "worthy brethren". Women as speakers: the sections checked name "ward members" without separating men and women.General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 18.10.2; General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.1.4	Silent in the assembly1 Corinthians 14:34–35; Kingscote p. 13
Order of service	Prescribed outline: opening hymn and prayer, ward business, sacrament hymn and administration of the sacrament, gospel messages and music, closing hymn and prayer. "Sacrament meeting lasts one hour."General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.1.1	None arranged beforehand. Liberty of the Spirit, with dependence on the Lord.1 Corinthians 14:26, 33; Dennett Letter 6
Ministry	Lay callings and priesthood offices: "Those who serve in the Church are called of God."General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 30.1.1	By gift, exercised in responsibility to the Lord. Not by election to an office.Romans 12:6–8; 1 Peter 4:10–11; Ephesians 4:11–12; Dennett Letters 4–5, 7
How ministers are appointed	"Leaders seek the guidance of the Spirit in determining whom to call." The bishop "holds the priesthood keys" for ordaining to the Aaronic Priesthood offices.General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 30.1.1; General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 18.10.2	Gifts are given by the risen Lord. Elders were appointed only by apostles or their delegates, and there are none today.Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; Dennett Letters 4–5; Ruin pt. 2
Kinds of assembly meeting	Sacrament meeting, fast and testimony meeting, ward conference and others.General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.1; General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.2; General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.3	Worship (the breaking of bread), prayer, and the open meeting for edificationRossier pts. 3–6
Who may break bread	At sacrament meeting, "All are invited to attend." Those named as partaking are "Church members".General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 29.2.1; General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 18.9	Every believer not under scriptural discipline for walk or doctrineDennett Letters 6, 8; 1 Corinthians 5

Gathered to

A typical Latter-day Saint Sunday

Members meet "to worship God and partake of the sacrament".General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sec. 18.9