Concerning the Church and the Setting of It Again in Order

The Lamb of God instructed David to release this message to the Church and all its branches, and thus here it is, Thus Saith the Lamb of God:

Unto all who have taken upon them the name of Christ, and unto all who desire to be numbered among the people of God:

Grace, peace, wisdom, and strength be multiplied unto you through faith in Jesus Christ.

Hearken, therefore, and consider what manner of people the Church ought to be.

The Church is not established by its name alone, neither is it made holy by buildings, offices, wealth, influence, traditions, or the praise of the world. The Church belongs to Christ when it bears his name, is built upon his gospel, follows his commandments, and performs its works in his name.

If it bears his name but rejects his order, the name cannot preserve it. If it speaks of his gospel but builds upon pride, contention, gain, or the works of men, its profession cannot make its foundation sure. The Church must therefore examine not only what it calls itself, but what it has become.

For the Church of God is composed of those who enter into covenant with God, repent of their sins, receive baptism with sincerity of heart, take upon themselves the name of Christ, and continue steadfastly in faith. They are not merely entered upon a record. They are to be remembered, nourished by the good word of God, kept watchful unto prayer, and taught to rely upon the merits of Christ.

Let the first work of restoration, therefore, be repentance.

Let repentance begin among those who teach, those who preside, those who administer, and those who desire to lead. Let no person suppose that position removes the need for correction. Authority without humility becomes oppression; knowledge without charity becomes pride; order without righteousness becomes control; and worship without a broken heart becomes an outward performance.

Let every teacher teach repentance and faith in the Lord who has redeemed his people. Let no one seek to make disciples unto himself. Let no teacher place personal opinions above the word of God, nor use sacred things to obtain riches, honor, influence, or dominion over another soul.

Let priests, teachers, ministers, and servants labor in humility. Let the preacher remember that he is no better than the hearer, and let the teacher remember that he is no better than the learner. Let all be equal before God, every person laboring according to the strength, gifts, and opportunities given unto them.

For this cause, pride must be rooted out from among the people.

If costly appearances are maintained while the poor remain without relief, the Church is not in order. If abundance is gathered while the hungry are forgotten, the Church is not in order. If honor is given to the wealthy while the afflicted are passed over, the Church is not in order. If those who speak with influence are welcomed while the weak, the lonely, and the contrite are ignored, the Church has forgotten the example of its Lord.

Therefore, let those who possess abundantly impart abundantly. Let those who possess little give according to their ability, without compulsion. Let those who have nothing be received and provided for. Let temporal and spiritual assistance be given according to genuine needs and wants.

Do not send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the afflicted, or those who have not been nourished. Do not limit compassion according to age, condition, wealth, standing, or membership. Show no respect of persons when another stands in need.

Let giving be done freely, with good desires toward God, not to be seen, praised, or rewarded by men. Let the administration of assistance be honest, accountable, merciful, and without favoritism.

Let contention also cease.

The people of Christ must not persecute those outside the Church, neither should they persecute one another. Let there be no railing, mockery, accusation, or delight in another person’s failure. Those who contend warmly, strike one another with words, or seek victory rather than reconciliation injure the body they profess to defend.

Let the people look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, with their hearts knit together in unity and love. Unity does not mean concealing wrongdoing, silencing questions, or pretending that differences do not exist. It means seeking truth without hatred, administering correction without cruelty, and pursuing reconciliation without sacrificing righteousness.

Where injury has been done, let it be acknowledged. Where deception has occurred, let truth be restored. Where power has been abused, let the abuse cease and those harmed be treated with justice and compassion. Where trust has been broken, let no one demand immediate confidence merely because an apology has been spoken. Let repentance be demonstrated through changed works.

Let discipline be governed by truth, witnesses, patience, and the possibility of repentance. Let no accusation be treated lightly, but let no person be condemned through rumor, prejudice, personal dislike, or the desire of another to exercise power.

When people sincerely repent and seek forgiveness with real intent, let mercy be extended. Let discipline aim at restoration where restoration is possible. Let neither favoritism excuse the powerful nor severity crush the weak.

Let the Church meet together often.

Let its people fast and pray. Let them speak with one another concerning the welfare of their souls. Let their assemblies strengthen the weary, instruct the uninformed, comfort the mourning, correct disorder, and turn hearts toward God.

Let prayer be offered in the name of Christ. Let families pray together. Let the people pray for those who enter among them, including those who are uncertain, burdened, estranged, or not yet persuaded. Do not cast people out merely because they have not yet understood. Continue to pray for them and hold up the light of Christ before them.

Let worship be conducted under the influence of the Holy Ghost rather than as a display of human importance. Whether the people preach, exhort, pray, supplicate, or sing, let it be done with sincerity and according to righteous order.

Let the sacrament be administered in remembrance of the body and blood of Christ. Let it witness that the people are willing to do what he commanded and to remember him always. Let sacred observances never become empty customs. Their purpose is to turn the heart toward Christ and renew the determination to walk in his way.

Let the Church watch and pray always, lest temptation enter and the adversary lead the people away captive.

The Church must especially guard against pride arising in times of prosperity. Riches, success, numerical growth, beautiful buildings, public acceptance, and institutional influence do not prove that the Church is righteous. Prosperity can enter the heart and divide the people into classes. It can cause some to persecute the humble, neglect the poor, deny spiritual gifts, and trust in their own strength.

Therefore, do not measure the health of the Church solely by its size, possessions, visibility, or reputation. Examine whether repentance is being preached, whether truth is honored, whether the poor are cared for, whether the people are united in love, whether leaders are humble, and whether the works of Christ are being followed.

Neither should the people be deceived by the existence of many churches, titles, divisions, and organizations. There may be many assemblies, but the people of God must be one in Christ. Their unity must arise from repentance, faith, baptism, righteous works, and fidelity to the gospel, not from compulsion or outward conformity.

The true Church of Christ must not persecute those who believe differently. It must not seek power over conscience. It must not deny Christ through its works while professing him with its lips. It must not become a means of gain or a place where people establish themselves above their brothers and sisters.

The Church of the Lamb may appear small in comparison with the powers, institutions, and appetites of the world. Yet its strength does not depend upon worldly dominion. Its strength is found in the righteousness of its people, the power of God, their faith in Christ, and their willingness to remain faithful amid opposition.

Therefore, let the Saints of God stand in holy places, clothed with righteousness and armed with faith. Let them not answer corruption by becoming corrupt, nor answer pride with pride, nor persecution with persecution. Let them overcome evil by holding fast to truth, humility, charity, patience, and the commandments of God.

To set the Church again in order, begin with Christ.

Restore his name not merely to signs and declarations, but to the works of the people.

Restore repentance to preaching.

Restore humility to leadership.

Restore equality to fellowship.

Restore truth to judgment.

Restore mercy to discipline.

Restore accountability to authority.

Restore prayer to families.

Restore the word of God to teaching.

Restore remembrance to the sacrament.

Restore generosity to possessions.

Restore nourishment to the new believer.

Restore patience to correction.

Restore spiritual gifts without pride or manipulation.

Restore care for the hungry, the naked, the sick, the afflicted, and the forgotten.

Restore unity without coercion.

Restore holiness without hypocrisy.

Restore order without dominion.

Restore faith in Christ as the foundation and finisher of the work.

Let every congregation begin where it stands. Let every teacher examine what is being taught. Let every leader examine how authority is being exercised. Let every member examine how neighbors, strangers, dissenters, and those in need are being treated.

Do not wait for another person to begin. Let each repent of personal pride, neglect, contention, and hardness of heart. Let every household establish prayer, truthfulness, forgiveness, and care. Let every assembly identify those among it who are not being nourished and bring them again into remembrance.

Let records serve people rather than cause people to be forgotten. Let policies serve righteousness rather than provide shelter for injustice. Let organization support the work of Christ rather than replace it. Let stewardship be accountable, and let authority remain inseparable from service.

If the Church would be restored, it must not merely recover an ancient appearance. It must recover the works of Christ.

Let the people do what they have seen him do.

Let them invite rather than compel.

Let them teach rather than dominate.

Let them serve rather than seek status.

Let them heal rather than wound.

Let them receive the repentant.

Let them defend the vulnerable.

Let them speak truth without hatred.

Let them exercise authority without pride.

Let them remember that every person must finally stand before God and be judged according to their works.

Therefore, take courage.

The Church can be set in order wherever people sincerely return to Christ. Renewal begins when truth is no longer resisted, repentance is no longer assigned only to others, and those who bear the name of Christ consent to become his people in deed.

Let the Church be called in his name.

Let it be built upon his gospel.

Let its people call upon the Father in his name.

Let them repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, endure faithfully, care for one another, and do the works they have seen Christ do.

Then shall the Church be more than an institution bearing a sacred name. It shall become a covenant people, united in faith, ordered in righteousness, governed by charity, accountable in stewardship, and steadfast in Christ.

And may the Father show forth his own works among them.

Amen.