The Book of Commandments
The Book of Commandments Section 34 - Churches
1The kingdom of God on the earth shall henceforth be organized and directed by my Church, which is The True Church of Jesus Christ. For churches are given unto mankind so as to light the way back home unto their Father in heaven. But my churches, even all churches and ministries upon the earth, have fallen to the snares and the fear of the wicked one.
2The churches of the world shall no longer be divided in their charge. No longer shall they differ and argue in doctrine and ordinances. No longer shall they err and lead astray my sheep.
3For the first charge of the church, nay all churches upon the earth, is to gather my children, who are the children of Israel, both by birth and by adoption through authorized baptism; gather all my children under one church, even The True Church of Jesus Christ, who is the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end. Yea, the charge of my church is to gather my children unto Zion and build mine Holy City upon the hills, as a shining beacon for all to see; for the holy to come unto and for the unholy to fear.
4For the true doctrine is mine, and is the doctrine of repentance and baptism for the remission of sins. My doctrine, even the everlasting covenant given by me from the beginning, is for my Saints to be one, to be clean, and to be mine - to follow my words faithfully and completely. Ye shall be my spotless and peculiar people, free of sin and free of evil - and I shall be your God. For I the Lord can abide no sin, nor shall my spirit abide within the unclean and unholy vessels of men, who continue to corrupt themselves with all manner of sin and evil.
5Thus Sayeth the Lord; The True Church of Jesus Christ is tasked with protecting and maintaining the High Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. The church shall grow in its burdens and its strength, in accordance with the faith, the righteousness, and the diligence of its priests. For this church is the same which was given in the beginning; to perform the ordinances of salvation and sanctification. To perform baptisms in my name and to heal and bless my children, guiding them back unto me, in preparation for their eternal lives in the heavens.
6Yea, my church shall be spotless, and shall cast off all sin, all lasciviousness, and all weakness, so as to be sanctified for the blessings prepared for the church and the Saints, even from the foundation of the world. My priests shall uphold the covenants and ordinances I have given them, for the welfare of their souls and the guidance of the Saints.
7My church shall be composed of bishoprics and councils, led by holy and pure men of the High Priesthood. For stakes are for tabernacles and are not sufficient to defend against the storms. And wards are prisons for those who have transgressed the law, to be placed under guard. But my church is a sanctuary, not a prison or a tent. A sanctuary for my children to learn and grow, under my wing, in all things celestial.
8The time has come for a great pruning in my vineyard. The children of the light have lost themselves to sin, forgetting my miracles and my grace - they have given up on the simplicity and the humility of the ordinances of salvation, and they have forgotten the way of all who follow me, even Jesus Christ. The children of darkness, who are comprised of the lost tribes of the Lamanites, the Edomites, the Moabites, the Ammonites and many more, have risen up in their stead, combining their forces, set on spoiling the inheritance of the children of the Lord, tricking and deceiving the children of the light even further downward, into the pit of everlasting misery and wo. These lost and fallen tribes now work secretly with the corrupted sheep of Israel and the fallen and secretive children of Zion, even all of the broken, rotten, and corrupt children of the light who have chosen profit and greed over virtue and faith.
9A time of strength is now at hand, for I the Lord have set my hand to prune my vineyard, to burn the tares, and to cleanse that which can be cleansed. My church shall lead the charge, by the hands of my servants, even my High Priests, wasting and wearing out their lives in my name, to clear out the chaff, build up the wall and the tower, and set watchmen about, so the wicked one may never again break in and spoil my trees.
10A time of great unity is now upon the earth, preceded by the great divide which was foreseen and prophesied by my ancient and loyal servants. Yea, a time of sanctification is now underway,set to cleanse the abominations which consume the earth.
11The True Church of Jesus Christ is now my authority upon the earth, unto which all who call themselves by my name shall yield unto and join, lest they be cast into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
12But I, the Lord, am merciful to my faithful children and my servants who have given their lives to me, spreading good tidings and the truth of my gospel unto all who will listen. And so I say unto the churches of the world, even all who call themselves by my name and strive for holiness; come unto me, my children; come unto my church and join the brotherhood and the order of the most high God, of the heavens and the earth, and all things therein. Join my church and learn of the true ordinances of salvation. Cast off your sins and your confusion for truth and light. Come and buy milk and honey without price. Learn of my ways and learn of your heritage and your past. Learn of the prophets and the priests.
13For I, the Lord, am merciful to all who love me, sending blessings upon them unto the third and fourth generation.
14Yea, the True Church of Jesus Christ has returned to the earth for the last time. I have set my face to perform the final pruning of my vineyard, by the hands of my servants, who are the High Priests of my church. My word shall roll forth, and my city shall be built. My priests shall lead you home unto your father in heaven. Gird up your loins, my dear children; sanctify and prepare yourselves for great and marvelous works which shall soon come to pass. I, the Lord, invite all of my dear children - even all who will hear my voice - to join my church, repent for your ignorance and your sins, and be baptized with authority in my name, by the hands of my humble servants.
15Behold, I have spoken. Amen.