MORMON BELIEFS

Organization of the Mormon Church

Organization in the Mormon Church is the same as it was in the Primitive Church. Article of Faith #6 states: "We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."1

Mormons believe that when Christ was upon the earth, He established His Church known as the 'Church of Jesus Christ.'2 He organized the Church with Himself being the cornerstone. Priesthood leaders such as, seventies, evangelists, pastors, high priests, elders, bishops, priests, teachers and deacons were organized to assist the Apostles in the work of the ministry and of the preaching of the gospel. Each was necessary in doing the missionary work, in performing ordinances, and instructing and inspiring Church members. Because of the persecution and martyrdom of Church leaders and the wickedness of the people, the Church was taken from the earth. This time is known as the Apostasy. Heavenly Father foresaw the Apostasy and prepared for the gospel to be restored. The Bible refers to this through the Apostle Peter, "He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."3

The belief in the Mormon Church is that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830, and that he was foreordained for this responsibility. Jesus Christ stands at the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The mission of the Mormon Church is help all people 'come unto Him'. This mission can only be fulfilled through the organization that was present in the Primitive Church and according to the pattern in which the Lord revealed, "for the perfecting of the saints…till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God."4

The Lord through His prophet/president of the Church guides the members of the Mormon Church; that being Gordon B. Hinckley at the present time (2006). He is the prophet, seer and revelator and is sustained by the members of the Church. His 2 counselors 12 Apostles are prophets, seers and revelators just as they were in the Primitive Church. They act under the direction of the First Presidency and their mission is to act as, 'special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world', 'build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations', and 'open the door [to all nations] by the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ'.5

In addition, Quorums of the Seventy are called to proclaim the gospel and build up the Church. First and Second Quorums of the Seventy are called to serve anywhere in the world, under the direction of the Prophet. The Presiding Bishopric is the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood and serves under the direction of the First Presidency and are responsible for the temporal affairs of the Church. Area presidencies are called and assigned to direct the affairs of a geographic area. When the Mormon Church is completely organized in an area, it has local divisions called stakes. A stake president and his two counselors preside over each stake. Each stake is divided into smaller areas called wards. A bishop and his two counselors preside over each ward. In areas of the world where the Church is still developing, there are missions, which are then divided into smaller units; that being districts, branches, small branches, groups and families.

For more information on the Mormon Church and its basic beliefs, please see the following websites:

Mormon Church

Organization of the Mormon Church