In “For God So Loved Us” Elder Michael T. Ringwood discusses how God sending Christ to the earth was not “to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). We know that Christ atoned for our sins to make it possible for us to repent and return to Heavenly Father.

However, Christ told the Apostles that he would not “leave [us] comfortless” (John 14:18). And even though He was specifically talking about the Holy Ghost, there are other ways He established. How was He able to do this? Through organizing the Church of Christ on the earth. There are at least three references in the New Testament to this organization:

• Calling of Apostles – See Matthew 10:1-2
• Calling of the Seventy – See Luke 10:1-2
• Other offices of the Priesthood – See Ephesians 4:11-13

Why was an organized church necessary? We see not long after Christ’s ascension into heaven that people who believed in Him began to fall away from His teachings. An organized church with authority from Christ had the ability to ensure that His gospel was preached and taught correctly. This continued His mission of not condemning the world but saving it.

As time went on, the church Christ organized was taken away due to the apostasy of its members (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3). Lost were the offices established, even the Apostles could no longer call men to fill vacant seats. Once the church was removed, men were left to fend for themselves, not because God didn’t care, but because men refused to accept God and His Son Jesus Christ.

This apostasy was not meant to last until Christ’s second coming. We read Peter talking about the “times of restitution in all things” in Acts 3:21. John in Revelation 14:6 talks about an “angel [flying] in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth”.

In 1820, the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ began when Joseph Smith was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ. Joseph was surprised to find out that the church of Christ was not to be found on earth. Joseph would be the means whereby it would be restored and the organization to benefit all mankind would be setup once again.

The Modern Organization

So what is the modern organization of the church? Does it conform to the above scriptures showing how Christ organized His church? Today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the following organization:

• First Presidency – Prophets, Seers, and Revelators
• The quorum of the Twelve Apostles – Apostles
• The quorums of the Seventy – Seventy
• Organization Presidencies
  • Relief Society
  • Young Women
  • Young Men
  • Primary
• Area Authorities – These guide the various areas designated by the church and are members of the quorums of the Seventy
• Stakes – Stake Presidents
  • Organization Presidencies
    • High Council
    • Relief Society
    • Young Women
    • Primary
• Wards – Bishops, Priests, Teachers, Deacons
  • Organization Presidencies
    • Relief Society
    • Young Women
    • Primary
    • Sunday School
• Patriarchs – Evangelists

Each organization has its stewardship. There are many other callings with responsibilities to teach and minister to the members of Christ’s church. Everything is organized so that “the world through [Christ] might be saved.”

Why Organized?

Why do we need an organized Church of Christ in these days? As we see in the New Testament, without organization correct doctrine is lost. Interpretations vary when there isn’t a prophet on the earth to guide us in the gospel. The authority to perform ordinances is not found. People would, and do, interpret things their own way and to their own liking, and that isn’t always what God intended nor is it always in alignment with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

An organized church also allows its members to participate in the work of salvation. Every member serves and tries their best to fulfill the responsibilities of the calling they receive. It is all volunteer. No one is forced to be in any calling. Even the Apostles had the choice to accept or decline the calling and responsibilities that come with it.

Conclusion

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” So says the scripture, and Jesus Christ organized His church to save the world. That church is organized around Prophets, Apostles, Seventy, global and local leaders. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been organized so that we are not flailing about trying to determine where the gospel of Jesus Christ is. The Church is here to aid in saving the world through Jesus Christ.