Lessons on the Book of Mormon 2020
Lesson No. Eighteen
The Church of Christ in the Book of Mormon and In the Latter Days
The original Nephite church was administered through a patriarchal system – Early in the Book of Mormon we learn there was an organized church in Jerusalem and that Laban had been “out by night” with “the elders of the Jews” who were also “the brethren of the church” (1 Nephi 4:22-27). In the wilderness and in the new world Nephi always deferred to his father Lehi as head of both the family and the church.
For the next 450 years of Nephite history the church of God was administered through a patriarchal system. Beginning with Alma and as Nephite society grew and become more diverse the Lord introduced a new way to administer His Church.
Priesthood authority and keys are necessary to organize and direct the church of Christ – This is true in all dispensation, including the Nephite dispensation. Furthermore, the Lord organizes His Church in the best way to bless His people according to their circumstances:
At the waters of Mormon – “Alma, having authority from God ordained priests” and organized “the Church of God or the church of Christ” by which name it was known “from that time forward” (Mosiah 18:17-18). At this time, the Nephite church of Christ were a small group of 450 members. (See Mosiah 18:35). Therefore, the needed organization was simple, “one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 18:18).
In the land of Helam – The church of Christ grew and “Alma was their high priest, he being the founder of their church.” As such he had priesthood authority and keys to administer the church of Christ. “And none received authority to preach or to teach except it were by him from God. Therefore he consecrated all their priests and all their teachers; and none were consecrated except they were just men. Therefore they did watch over their people, and did nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness” (Mosiah 23:16-18).
As a united people in Zarahemla – Nephite society grew and became more diverse. It now included the Nephites and Mulekites under king Mosiah, the people of king Limhi, and the people of Alma. Now king Mosiah “granted unto Alma that he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every church” (Mosiah 25:19). King Mosiah, who was a great prophet and seer himself, deferred to Alma regarding matters pertaining to the church of Christ. (See Mosiah 26:1-12) This is because Alma had priesthood authority and keys to administer the church of Christ.
The Lord recognized Alma’s priesthood authority and keys to organize and preside over His church: “And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people” (Mosiah 26:17).
Similarities between the Nephite Church of Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – While the Nephite Church of Christ described in the Book of Mormon was much smaller in numbers and geography compared with the worldwide Church of Christ today there are several important similarities:
The Church of Christ is organized and directed by priesthood authority and keys – The Church of Christ is always led by a prophet who provides strong central authority and direction. Today priesthood keys direct the Church on many issues including pandemics, missionary work, temples, and establishing congregations worldwide.
Unity is essential in the Church of Christ – What Alma taught his people also applies to the Latter-day Church of Jesus Christ: “And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of God” (Mosiah 18:21-22).
Sabbath observance is required in the Church of Christ – “And [Alma] commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God…And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together” (Mosiah 18:23, 25).
A lay ministry is an important part of the Church of Christ – “And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support….And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God” (Mosiah 18:24, 26). In the Nephite Church of Christ and in the Latter-day Church of Christ there is a lay ministry. Those who labor to provide for the temporal needs of their families and at the same time magnify their church callings are promised the grace of God. Grace is the enabling power of God which makes it possible for them to fulfill both family and Church responsibilities. Today this happens often in the Church of Christ.
The Lords way of providing for temporal needs is followed in the Church of Christ – “And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according, to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given. And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God…and to every needy, naked soul” (Mosiah 18:27-28). This is what the Lord has commanded His people today as recorded in D&C 104:13-18.
An important distinction between the Nephite Church of Christ and the Latter-day Church of Christ – There are many similarities between the Nephite Church of Christ and the latter day Church of Christ, but a significant distinction is that the Nephite Church eventually fell into complete apostasy. We can be certain that this will not happen to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Our safety and protection, especially in trying times like today, depends on staying in the mainstream of our Church and giving strict heed to the council and teachings of the Lord’s living prophet.