The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the “Mormon Church”) is uniquely different from all other religions: It is not a man-made religion; it is God-made religion. The definitive proof of this bold claim is given by God. This means that the “Mormons” did not get together and decide by popular vote to create a church, and then put Christ at its head. Because the “Mormon Church” is a God-made Church, it has been established according to His order. Jesus Christ introduced His orderly way when He called His original twelve apostles:
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you” (John 15: 16).
Christ has established His Church according to His command; and then, He invites all who will hear His voice and follow Him, to become members of His Church and Kingdom.
Appropriately, because Christ is literally and actively in charge, it is consistent with His way of oneness (D&C 38: 27) that all who are sent forth to preach His gospel, are called and commissioned by the laying on of hands, by those who have previously been ordained with authority. And then once ordained, Christ has explicitly declared the way his servants will preach His gospel:“Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth. . . . Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? And if it be by some other way it is not of God” (D&C 50: 12-18).
Anyone who is authorized by Christ will speak by the “Spirit of truth,” and anything less . . . “is not of God.” The core meaning of priesthood authority is this: those who are properly called and duly ordained will act in His name, and essentially do and say . . . as Christ would do and say (D&C 1: 38).
For example, consider this personal admonition of preparation to preach His gospel:
“Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength. Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed” (D&C 11: 20, 21).
When accomplished in the way He has set forth, the Savior speaks through His servants who are called by Him and authorized by Him; without premeditation of thought or word, the Lord spontaneously speaks through His representatives:
“Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour” (D&C 84: 85) “I am the LORD thy God, . . . open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it” (Psalm 81: 10). “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14: 26).
The Lord Jesus Christ literally leads His Church and through the Spirit of truth, He fills the mouths of those who represent Him; therefore, the words spoken by His servants will be backed up by the “burning” witness of the Spirit:
“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24: 25).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is uniquely different from all other religions: It is not a man-made church; it is a God-made Church! Again, because this bold claim is true, the definitive proof is provided by God. And as you ask Him with a sincere and humble heart, then He will cause your heart to “burn within” you, that you may know the truth, by the Spirit of truth (D&C 50: 21, 22).
