CHURCH ORGANIZATION THE SAME AS FORMERLY.
Seventh.—The character of the church which the Lord commanded Joseph Smith to organize is strictly in harmony with the church of Christ of former days. It was established by revelation from God, as Jesus said He would build His church when He declared to Peter,
"Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." (Matthew 16: 17, 18).
"This rock," mentioned in the above quotation refers to the principle of revelation by which Peter knew Jesus was the Son of God.
Further in harmony with the description of the church of Christ as contained in the Bible this latter-day church was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets," with Jesus Christ as the "chief corner stone," (Ephesians 2: 20): for the Lord revealed anew to Joseph Smith that there should be "first apostles, secondarily prophets," etc., as described by Paul (1 Corinthians 12: 28). Besides this, as Joseph Smith testifies, those who were called to assist him in the ministry were "called and ordained by the spirit of revelation and prophecy," as men were anciently. (Acts 13: 1-3; 14: 23; Hebrews 5: 4).