Lessons on the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles
Lesson No. 11

"Built Upon the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets"

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

Jesus organized His Church anciently – Paul compared the Lord’s Church to a human body: “For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one [Church} whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

The Church of Jesus Christ anciently was built on a foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone – Paul taught this when writing to Church members in Ephesus: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

Paul also described the organization of the Lord’s Church when writing to members of the Church in Corinth: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers…” (1 Corinthians 12:27-28).

The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone – The Lord’s restored Church has “the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely apostles, prophets…” (The Articles of Faith 1:6). To this truth, I add my testimony to that of modern apostles: “We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth – ‘built upon the foundation of…apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone’ (Ephesians 2:20)” (The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles).

The Church of Jesus Christ has a more perfect and effective organization in the spirit world and is built on a foundation of apostles and prophets – This doctrine was taught by President Joseph Fielding Smith at the funeral of Elder Richard L. Evans, a modern apostle. “Brother Evans has been taken by the Lord to another field of labor, where his great talents will be multiplied a hundred-fold; where he will continue to use them in the furtherance of the Lord’s work; and where they are now needed even more than they were here among us.

“He held the holy priesthood in this life and was ordained to stand as a special witness of the Lord’s name; he holds that same priesthood in the world of spirits and is there assigned to continue his labors for the salvation of our Father’s other children who have passed on without a knowledge of the saving principles of eternal truth which have been restored in this day.

“And may I say for the consolation of those who mourn, and for the comfort and guidance of all of us, that no righteous man is ever taken before his time. In the case of the faithful Saints, they are simply transferred to other fields of labor. The Lord’s work goes on in this life, in the world of spirits, and in the kingdoms of glory where men go after their resurrection.

“The church on earth has lost the services of one of its most able and competent leaders who was endowed with special talents and abilities which are seldom equaled. But the same Church, which has an even more perfect and effective organization among the righteous dead, has gained another pillar of strength to use in the great labors that are performed there…” (Ensign, Dec 1971, emphasis added ).

Apostles are ordinary men given an extraordinary calling – They all first become disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus first invited John and Andrew to “come and see”. Then Andrew told his brother Peter, “We have found the Messias…And he brought him to Jesus….The day following Jesus…findeth Philip, and saith unto him Follow me….Philip findeth Nathanael” and “saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” (See John 1:35-51). Certainly, the other ancient apostles were first disciples of Jesus.

Early in our dispensation all apostles were converts to the Church. Now most are born into the Church. Either way, like their fellow apostles of old, they all first became disciples of Jesus Christ.

Both modern and ancient apostles were married and had families. Jesus was a carpenter, and they all followed His example and were gainfully employed. Anciently, some were fishermen, another was a tax collector. In the modern world some were educators, doctors, lawyers, or businessmen.

Future apostles are often first called to full-time Church service – After approximately one year of discipleship Peter and Andrew, and James and John had continued to earn a living for their families as fishermen. They held the Melchizedek priesthood, it was now time for them to be called to full time Church service. “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:17-18).

In the modern world future apostles often forsake their employment and other personal considerations and are first called to full time Church service as general authorities.

God directs the calling of an apostle – Jesus, as He prepared to call his apostles, sought guidance in mighty prayer to His Father. “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called his disciples; and of them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles” (Luke 6:12-13).

After Jesus was taken up to heaven the first thing the remaining apostles did was to fill the vacancy in the Twelve caused by the death of Judas. (See Acts 1:9-26) “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou has chosen” (Acts 1:24).

In the modern Church it is the same. Those who have responsibility to call new apostles call upon God in mighty prayer to know who is to be called. After they receive an answer the call is extended.

An apostle is a witness of Christ to all the world – Ancient apostles traveled and testified of Christ as much as possible. Peter and Paul taught and testified of Jesus in Rome where they became martyrs for their testimony. In the modern world living apostles travel the earth bearing their apostolic testimony. This very week all living latter day Apostles were in Rome for the dedication of the Rome Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Like Peter and Paul before them, and “as His duly ordained apostles” they testify “that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son” (The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles).

We must sustain and not fight against or undermine the apostles of the Lord – In the Book of Mormon Nephi is given a vision of the most important events of the last 2,000 years of the world’s history beginning with Jesus’ mortal ministry. (See 1 Nephi 11- 14). After seeing the crucifixion of the Lord Nephi saw how the world “gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb” (1 Nephi 11:35), and how great the fall of those was who did so. Then people in the latter days are given a warning: “And the angel of the Lord said unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (1 Nephi 11:36).

What the Lord said about Joseph Smith, the first apostle of our dispensation, applies to his successors.

“Wherefore thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandment which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:4-6).