17 Points of the True Church

Near the onset of World War II, five college students determined to search for the Lord's true church. One of the group compiled a list of seventeen characteristics and key doctrines of the church Christ established. He suggested that Christ's church today should include them all and that they should try to find such a church. The five friends began talking to priests and ministers, comparing the structure and doctrines of various churches with the list. None matched more than half of the requirements.

The five friends parted and it was years before they met again. Individually, they had found and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, finding it to be the only church on earth that encompassed all the seventeen of the evidences of the true church of Christ.

1. Will recognize the Holy Trinity as separate Persons.
• a. will know the identity of God (Father), Jesus Christ (Son) and the Holy Ghost (Spirit).
• b. Jesus Christ will be recognized as Head of the Church.
2. Will accept the Holy Bible in its entirety.
• Will recognize that some parts of the record are missing.
3. Will contain the same offices.
• a. 12 Apostles mandatory
• b.Prophets, Teachers, Elders, Evangelists, Bishops, Deacons, High Priests, Saints.
4. Offices will be "Called of God."
• a. College degree of license insufficient
• b. Royal Priesthood
• c. Can be married
5. Will have an unpaid ministry.
• Members will be workers in the Church
6. Women included in activities.
7. Baptism will be mandatory.
• a. Probably by immersion.
• b. Must be authorized.
8. Will believe in the Virgin Birth.
9. Will believe in literal resurrection.
10. Will honor Sunday as the Sabbath.
11. Will receive continuous revelation.
12. Will be payers of tithes.
13. Will partake of the Sacrament of the Lord.
14. Will believe in immortality and heaven and a hell.
15. Will have miraculous occurrences.
16. Will teach that Jesus Christ will come again.
17. Will be persecuted for beliefs.

Seventeen Points of the True Church

1. Christ organized the church. Eph. 4:11-14
2. The church must bear the name of Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:23
3. The church must have a foundation of Apostles & Prophets. Eph. 2:19-20
4. The church must have the same organization as Christ’s church. Eph. 4:11-14
5. The church must claim divine authority. Heb. 5:4-10
6. The church must have no paid ministry. Isa. 45:13, 1 Peter 5:2
7. The church must baptize by immersion. Matt 3:13-15
8. The church must bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Acts 8:14-17
9. The church must practice divine healings. Mark 3:14-15
10. The church must teach Jesus Christ & God are separate and distinct beings. John 17:11 & 20:17
11. The church must teach God & Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bone. Luke 24:36-39, Acts 1:9-11
12. The officers must be called by God. Heb. 5:4, Exodus 29:1 & 40:13-16
13. The church must claim revelation from God. Amos 3:7
14. The church must be a missionary church. Matt. 28:19-20
15. The church must be a restored church. Acts 3:19-20
16. The church must practice baptisms for the dead. 1 Cor. 15:15 & 29
17. By their fruits ye shall know them. Matt. 7:20

Why are these things important? Heb. 13:8