Articles of Faith #6

"We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's church on the earth!  The church is set up exactly like the church Jesus Christ established when he was teaching on the earth.  (For more on the common organization, see my blog post "The Church of Jesus Christ").  There are prophets and apostles today!  This is possible through the restoration of the priesthood.  Three of Christ's original apostles laid their hands on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and gave them the authority of God.  (For more on this see, "Priesthood Restoration" from a modern prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley).  

We will have the chance to hear from the current prophet, Thomas S. Monson, at General Conference on April 2nd and 3rd

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints has "the same organization that existed in the primitive church" because the two have the same founder: our Lord and Savior.  They are the same church, led by Jesus Christ and built on His doctrine!

Peace, Be Still

There is an awesome story in the Bible about Jesus Christ and His apostles.  They're all traveling together in a boat.  Jesus was asleep in the back of the ship when a storm started.  It was such a rough storm that the disciples were scared for their lives.  They woke up the Savior and asked "carest thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:38).  The apostles saw no hope of getting through the storm.  Unless Christ did something about it, they were going to perish.  What Christ did next should be of great comfort to all of us.  "He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm"(Mark 4:39). 

We can all take a lesson form what Christ did here.  As we are going through hard times, Christ is there for us.  When the winds of doubt are blowing and the waves of temptation come crashing in on us, we have comfort in our Savior.  Even when it seems impossible and nobody is there for us, the love of Christ can "rebuke" the storm and say in our lives, "Peace, be still".  I know this, and I know that it is always available.  Jesus Christ is truly the son of God, and the Savior and redeemer of mankind.  I pray that we can recognize Him when He helps us and not say as the questioning disciples, "What manner of man is this?" (Mark 4:41). 

He is the Christ.