This is Christ's Church

We more than claim

This is Christ's church

It bears His name

To Him we turn...

We have all seventeen standards

That Jesus founded as He called forth, "Come follow me."

A prophet and twelve apostles

Would lead His one true church with divine authority

https://www.str.org/w/discussing-17-points-of-the-true-church-with-mormons

1. Christ organized the Church. (Eph 4:11–14)
2. The true church must bear the name of Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:23)
3. The true church must have a foundation of Apostles and Prophets. (Eph 2:19–20)
4. The true church must have the same organization as Christ’s Church. (Eph 4:11–14)
5. The true church must claim divine authority. (Heb 5:4–10)
6. The true church must have no paid ministry. (Acts 20:33–34, John 10:11–13)
7. The true church must baptize by immersion. (Matt 3:13–16)
8. The true church must bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. (Acts 8:14–17)
9. The true church must practice divine healing. (Mark 3:14–15)
10. The true church must teach that God and Jesus are separate and distinct individuals. (John 17:11, 20:17)
11. The true church must teach that God and Jesus have bodies of flesh and bone. (Luke 24:36–39, Acts 1:9–11, Heb 1:1–3)
12. The officers must be called by God. (Heb 5:4, Ex 28:1, 40:13–16)
13. The true church must claim revelation from God. (Amos 3:7)
14. The true church must be a missionary church. (Matt 28:19–20)
15. The true church must be a restored church. (Acts 3:19–20)
16. The true church must practice baptism for the dead. (1Cor 15:16, 29)
17. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt 7:20)

To help people use this LDS list as a starting point for discussions, I created a second list of 17 points. Some of the points are direct responses to their numerical counterparts on the LDS list, and some bring in ideas not mentioned on the LDS list that are unique to Christianity and not shared by Mormons. Since each list includes aspects of the unique theology of its group, by going through their list and ours and examining the context of the verses cited, you can quickly move into deep and meaningful conversations with your LDS friends. (Download a card-sized version to print and cut out here.)

1. The true church must base its doctrine on what the Bible teaches. (2 Tim 3:16–17, 2 Pet 1:21, Ps 12:6)
2. The true church must teach there is only one God. (Isa 43:10, Isa 44:6, Isa 44:8)
3. The true church must teach that God has been God from all eternity. (Ps 90:2, Mal 3:6, Jas 1:17)
4. The true church must worship only one God (the LORD, Jehovah). (Ex 34:14)
5. The true church must teach that God does not have a physical body. (John 4:24, Luke 24:39, 1 Kings 8:27, John 1:18, 1 Tim 1:17)
6. The church must teach that within the one being of God there are three Persons. (Matt 3:16–17, Matt 28:19–20)
7. The true church must teach that the eternal, fully divine person of Jesus took on a human nature when He came to Earth. (Phil 2:5–8, John 1:14)
8. The true church must worship Jesus. (Matt 28:9, Matt 2:11)
9. The true church teaches that the Gospel is: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. (1 Cor 15:1–4)
10. The true church teaches that when you believe the Gospel, you receive the Holy Spirit, you are born again, and He makes you into a new creation. (Acts 10:36–45, John 3:1–8, 2 Cor 5:17)
11. The true church teaches that a trusting belief in Christ is all one needs to be saved to eternal life with God. (Acts 16:30–31, John 6:28–29, 1 John 5:11–12)
12. The true church must not teach that eternal life with the Father can be reached only after doing certain works. (Eph 2:8–9, Rom 11:6, Gal 3:2–3)
13. The true church must not make the issue of what we eat or drink a requirement of the Gospel. (Mark 7:18–20, Rom 14:14–18, Col 2:13–17)
14. The true church must teach that we are forgiven of our sins when we confess them. (1 John 1:9, Heb 10:10, 14–18)
15. The LORD commands his people to financially support those devoted to ministry. (Num 18:8–24, Luke 10:2–7, 1 Cor 9:7–14, 1 Tim 5:17–18)
16. The true Church was established by Jesus, has never been overcome, but has existed on the earth throughout all generations since Jesus. (Matt 16:18, Eph 3:21)
17. The true church must compare all new revelation with the Bible and reject whatever disagrees. (Deut 13:1–3, Gal 1:8, Isa 8:19–20, 1 Thes 5:21, Acts 17:11)

The Church of Christ Grew More Complete

The Church of Christ became perfect
Once the women were organized
Their loving service would boost and affect
As their strength for good became utilized

They went about from house to house
Dedicated to give support
To assist the brethren, they did espouse
And gave aid to the needy and the poor

Let's devote ourselves to giving relief
And being a blessing to those around
May we encourage faith in those who've grief
And succor the weak where ever they're found

May we be prompted to action when comes
That child who's ill, or neighbor with needs
Or a family perhaps that's lost their income
May we assist them back onto their feet

Dear Sisters, each deed can be small
We can lift others in many ways
A smile, a kind note, perhaps a phone call,
Or to kneel and bow with them as one prays

In 1830, Joseph Smith gave this advise:
That the sisters "expound scriptures" and "exhort"
That in them the gospel truths might apprise
To nourish them and lend to them a gift that supports

May we renew those days of faith and hope
That our lessons might be a purifying stream
Which does refresh the heart to better cope
As it restores and edifies us to high esteem

Dear Sisters, may we now step up and be strong
To declare the truth with faith and boldness
May we with the angels rejoice unto song
As we live up to our privilege to witness

We have promise that is finest deep inside us
May we rescue God's daughters for His kingdom
That Relief Society might be a refuge, thus
As we feel blessed immeasurably with love and wisdom

[Verse 1] The Church of Christ grew more complete When women gathered, strong in care Their loving service moved through streets And put their gifts to work everywhere [Verse 2] From house to house they carried help They stood beside the brethren there They brought relief to those in need And gave the poor a share of care [Chorus] Let us give relief with open hands Be a blessing where we can Build the faith of those in grief Bring the weak a sure relief [Verse 3] When a child is ill, when neighbors call When work is gone and hope feels small May we answer, may we stay And help each family find its way [Verse 4] Dear sisters, even small deeds count A smile, a note, a call that says I’ll kneel beside you, share your prayer And help you through these heavy days [Verse 5] In eighteen thirty, counsel came: The sisters teach and testify Expound the scriptures, strengthen faith And help the gospel truths take root inside [Chorus] Let us give relief with open hands Be a blessing where we can Build the faith of those in grief Bring the weak a sure relief [Verse 6] Renew the faith and hope of old Let every lesson cleanse and mend Refresh the heart, restore the soul And help us rise and try again [Bridge] Dear sisters, step with faith and strength Declare the truth with courage clear Join the angels’ song of praise And live the witness we were given here [Final Chorus] Let us give relief with open hands Be a refuge where we can Rescue daughters, lift them home Let no one face the road alone [Outro] Deep within, the promise lives God gives love and wisdom still May our service bless anew May we answer to His will

Barbara Thompson
General Relief Society
Now Let Us Rejoice
September 2008, 114

In a Love Song- Your Hand in Mine

Love at first sight
The beats made strong
Two hearts set aright
In a love song

A gaze, a smile
Each word adds meaning
Floating all the while
Drifting, dreaming

A day apart
The smile stays
The cloud departs
Still, the heart plays




Verse 1] The beats made strong Two hearts set aright A gaze, a smile And all the world turned bright [Chorus] Love at first sight Two hearts in time Each word adds meaning Your hand finding mine [Verse 2] Floating all the while Drifting, dreaming A day apart Still your smile stays with me [Chorus] Love at first sight Two hearts in time Each word adds meaning Your hand finding mine [Bridge] The cloud departs The morning clears Still, the heart plays And keeps you near [Final Chorus] Love at first sight Two hearts in time Each word adds meaning Your hand finding mine [Outro] Your hand finding mine

Set Your Love Upon God- Under the Shadow of the Most High

Set your love upon God

Let Him deliver you

Evil will not come call

For He is your refuge

Thousands will come at you

With terror by night and darkness by day

But, fear not what they do

God's angels are your fortress, always

They shall bear you up in their hands

Lest you dash your foot upon a stone.

Through snares and noisome pestilence

Trust and abide in God's shadow 

[Verse 1] Set your love upon the Lord; He will answer when you call. Evil shall not overtake you, He is refuge through it all. [Chorus] Under the shadow of the Most High, Rest in the shelter of His care. Though the night may gather round you, He will keep you everywhere. [Verse 2] Though a thousand stand against you, Though the day brings fear and trial, Do not bow your heart to terror; God will guard you all the while. [Chorus] Under the shadow of the Most High, Rest in the shelter of His care. Though the night may gather round you, He will keep you everywhere. [Bridge] He will send His angels near you, Bear you gently in their hands; Keep your foot from every stone, Lead you safely where you stand. [Verse 3] Through the snare and through the sickness, Trust the One whose mercy stays. Make your home beneath His shadow; Abide with Him all your days. [Final Chorus] Under the shadow of the Most High, Rest in the shelter of His care. Though the night may gather round you, He will keep you everywhere. He will keep you everywhere.

Psalms 91 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

The Quest of a Lifetime

 I'm on a quest of a lifetime

Trying to get my way back home

On this challenge of mortality

The Savior's my only hope

Reading Elder Bednar's Oct 2026 talk

Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise

October 2026 general conference

Knowing So Many Ways to Trip and Fall- The Still Small Voice

Knowing so many ways to trip and fall
Shall we moderate all our efforts?
No, The Lord sustains whom He does call
And we’ve been blessed but with gifts He affords

Thus, He who is our ultimate strength
Would that we not be “lukewarm”
But, serve Him with what we have at length
And with humility to sense what does us harm…

The proud could only hear the clamor
Of the crowd goading them on for more
And the still small voice behind the tumult
Was obscured by all that did surround

Thus their haughty and stiff necks
Did not turn around to see
Satan using them to stretch
His powers there to glee

In contrast one man so humble
Heard and quickly fell to His knees
Proving to be teachable
He asked that the hand of God would lead

And from His example
Some in shame saw their plight
And joined in with prayers ample
To petition for safety and light

Then without a backward glance
They drew nigh unto that voice
With armor, sword and firm stance
They thwarted Satan's quest to exploit

[Verse 1] Knowing so many ways to trip and fall, Shall we moderate all our efforts? No, the Lord sustains whom He does call, And we’ve been blessed with gifts He offers. [Pre-Chorus] He who is our ultimate strength, Would that we not grow lukewarm; Serve Him with what we have at length, With humility, discern what brings us harm. [Chorus] Draw near to the still, small voice, Lay down pride and listen well; With humble hearts, make the faithful choice, Turn from the snares that seek to compel. The Lord will guide us, the Lord will sustain, Give us courage to answer again. [Verse 2] The proud could hear only the clamor, The crowd goading them on for more; The still, small voice behind the tumult Was obscured by all that did surround. [Verse 3] Their haughty, stiffened necks would not turn Around to see what lay in view: Satan used them to stretch his power, And took delight in all they’d do. [Chorus] Draw near to the still, small voice, Lay down pride and listen well; With humble hearts, make the faithful choice, Turn from the snares that seek to compel. The Lord will guide us, the Lord will sustain, Give us courage to answer again. [Verse 4] In contrast, one man, humble-hearted, Heard and quickly fell upon his knees; Teachable, he asked the hand of God To lead him where he ought to be. [Verse 5] And from his example, some in shame Saw plainly the peril of their plight; They joined their prayers, beseeching God For safety, wisdom, and for light. [Bridge] Then without a backward glance, They drew near unto that voice; With armor, sword, and firm stance, They thwarted Satan’s quest to exploit. [Final Chorus] Draw near to the still, small voice, Lay down pride and listen well; With humble hearts, make the faithful choice, Turn from the snares that seek to compel. The Lord will guide us, the Lord will sustain, Give us courage to answer again. [Outro] With humble hearts, we answer the call; Lord, lead us faithfully, one and all.

Dallin H. Oaks
Our strengths Can Become Our Downfall-
Preventing Strengths from Becoming our Downfall
Ensign, October 1994, 11

In Ancient Times Came a Balm- The Balm of Gilead

In ancient times came a balm
For healing and for calm
From out of Gilead it came
And was asked for by name

In our day of disorders
Some are helped with drugs prescribed
Yet, much can be prevented
If we tend to what's inside

For our good health there are rules
Rest and exercise are useful tools
For maintained quality of lifestyles
And for preventing growing stress piles

But, this does not seem to be enough
Our minds can make life real tough
And how stuck thoughts will manifest
Into ill health all of us can attest

My message is an appeal
To those who feel at ill
My message is a kind plea
To those who know not peace

There is a spirit in man
Which can become ill and sad
And as we are prone to sin
Obedience is the best medicine

If you suffer from worry
Or cannot control fury
All these negative thoughts
Clutter up like junk lots

Put up a "no dumping" sign
And to God's laws realign
What's inside can be healed
As our bad thoughts are stilled

And the cure's found in prayer
May we oft be found there
To find soothing and healing
And be spiritually feeling

If we've a troubling heartache
Or are burdened by a mistake
Prayer's as though a transfusion
To ease and end confusion

And those "oughts" that were in control
Seem petty as we're freed from their toll
And the beam lifts from our eyes
So we see beautiful skies

There is strength as we gain understanding
That the Lord's inside us for our standing
And as the Prince of Peace, He knows our pain
And would that we pray and take on His name

The more we've His Spirit and the Comforter
We are more eased of disease and disorder
Forgive, forget and leave it alone
And, be grateful that our Lord did atone

There is a healing balm
That has to be applied
Our Lord can heal and calm
And, through prayer it is supplied

Boyd K. Packer
The Balm of Gilead
New Era, Aug 1979 36

Jer. 8: 22
Is there no balm in Gilead;
is there no physician there?
why then is not the health
of the daughter of my people recovered?

[Verse 1] In ancient days a balm was brought For healing, quiet, peace of thought From Gilead it came by name A tender cure, a steady flame In days of trouble, some are helped By medicines prescribed with care Yet much may turn before it starts If we attend the inner heart [Pre-Chorus] Rest and movement, measured days Can ease the strain and clear the way But still the mind can make life hard And leave its mark upon the heart [Chorus] There is a healing balm within For troubled hearts and restless minds Let prayer restore what worry stole Let grace bring quiet to the soul There is a healing balm to find In turning toward the Holy One [Verse 2] My message is an open hand To those who ache and cannot stand A gentle plea for those who know No rest beneath the weight they hold There is a spirit in us all That can grow weary, grieve, and fall And knowing how our choices wound We seek the path where peace is found [Pre-Chorus] If worry grips, if anger stays If thoughts crowd in and cloud our days Set out a sign: let nothing harm And turn again toward what is right [Chorus] There is a healing balm within For troubled hearts and restless minds Let prayer restore what worry stole Let grace bring quiet to the soul There is a healing balm to find In turning toward the Holy One [Bridge] The thoughts that ruled us lose their hold As truth makes room within the soul The beam lifts from our tired eyes And opens up the spacious skies We learn the strength of understanding The Lord is near, our sure upstanding Prince of Peace, who knows our pain We call on Him, and breathe again [Verse 3] When heartache lingers, when mistakes Have left us bowed beneath their weight Prayer is a transfusion, grace That brings the scattered thoughts to place Forgive, forget, and leave it there Give thanks, and let the burden clear Our Lord has borne what we could not His mercy holds the healing spot [Final Chorus] There is a healing balm within For troubled hearts and restless minds Let prayer restore what worry stole Let grace bring quiet to the soul There is a healing balm to find Our Lord can heal, our Lord can calm Through prayer, the gift is supplied [Outro] Our Lord can heal, our Lord can calm There is a healing balm