RLDS

Biblical Christianity

The Word of God

·        Holy Scriptures (Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version of the Bible)

·        Book of Mormon

·        Doctrine and Covenants

the Bible

Salvation

·        “We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the law and ordinances of the gospel.”
(Joseph Smith, Jr., Times and Seasons, Vol. 3, p.710, 1842)

·        “For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”(Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 11:44)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

(Ephesians 2:8,9; see also Mark 16:16;
 John 3:16; Acts 2:21; Romans 4:16, 10:9, 13; James 2:18)

Gospel

The teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. as found in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and the Inspired Version of the Bible

“By this gospel you are saved … that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day….”
(I Corinthians 15:3, 4)

RLDS

Biblical Christianity

Priesthood

·         Melchezidek

High Priests

Elders                    (Doctrine & Covenants, 26,42)

·        Aaronic

Teachers

Deacons

Priests                    (Doctrine & Covenants, 26, 83, 104)

·        no one else has authority from God to preach the gospel or administer the ordinances  (Doctrine & Covenants, 42:4)

·        Jesus is the only high priest after the order of Melchezidek
(Hebrews 4:10; 7:23-28)

·        Aaronic priesthood was abolished with Christ’s atonement       (Hebrews 8:13)

·        Priesthood of all believers
(1 Peter 2:9)

Prophet

Joseph Smith, Jr. was a
modern day prophet of God
(Doctrine & Covenants, 107:39)

“In the past God spoke to our fore-fathers through the prophets … but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”(Hebrews 1:1)

Zion

·        Independence, Missouri
(Exploring the Faith, p. 203)

·        “…we believe that we have been called…to assist in the establishment of God’s kingdom…on earth…Zion”    (Who Are The Saints? p.4)

·        Jerusalem
(Isaiah 30:19; 33:20)

·        the kingdom of God is not built by man, but is within us (Luke 17:21)

Witnessing Tips:

·        Pray first.

·        Have RLDS/COC members define religious terminology they use such as scripture,
gospel, heaven, etc.

·        Ask about the changes and additions
Joseph Smith, Jr. made to the Bible, Book
of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants

·        Continue to pray that RLDS/COC will desire truth more than tradition, seek facts instead of feelings, and value evidence more than emotion.