Many people upon hearing that we are members of an organized remnant of the original Restored Church, who are now called "The Church of Christ, Restored" look quizzically at us and say, "I don’t understand why they have a new name and where do they get the authority to call new Apostles? You are now a different church! We try to explain that being one remnant who closely adheres to the original beliefs of the Restoration, our priesthood, who have remained faithful to their calling, still hold the authority originally given to them. They still shake their heads in unbelief and say they don’t understand! For this reason we will state clearly those things from the Scriptures and the RLDS Church Histories why new Apostles can be called.

We know that Jesus had twelve Apostles in His Church when He lived on earth. These were to remain in His Church "Until we all come to a unity in the faith." (Eph. 4:13) If you believe that the twelve Apostles who at present are serving in The RLDS Church are still preaching the original doctrine of the Restored Church, then you can be happy and rejoice that we don’t need any replaced. If, on the other hand, you realize they are teaching things that are not scripturally sound, then you should realize that the true remnant needs and God wants them to have the ministry of the Apostles, etc., to be a well functioning church.

The Doctrine and Covenants tells us in several sections that He will give Joseph Smith a pattern in all things:

"And again, I will give unto you a PATTERN IN ALL THINGS, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations." (D&C 52:4b)

1. For missionary work – 23:7 and 52:5
2. For the Day of Transfiguration – 63:6
3. For Elders preaching and Translating – 73:2
4. For ordinance of washing of feet – 85:46
5. For laying the foundation of Zion – 91:1
6. For House of Presiding and Printing – 91:2, 3
7. For the Temple – 94:3
8. For the High Council – 99:7, 11
9. For two by two to preach – 115:1
10. For establishing Stakes – 125:10
11. For calling Apostles – 16:6 a-b (also from RLDS Church History Vol. 1, p 541 and Vol. 3, pp 216-218)

Notice there is a PATTERN SET for the CALLING OF APOSTLES as well as various other things including the TEMPLE. If we were to ask how apostles are called, the prompt answer would be, "By God through diving revelation, of course." Let’s look at the preface of the sixteenth section of the Doctrine and Covenants. It states that the Apostles WERE CHOSEN BY A COMMITTEE OF THREE WITNESSES OF THE BOOK OF MORMON, namely: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris.

"And now behold, I give unto you, Oliver Cowdery and also David Whitmer, that you shall SEARCH OUT THE TWELVE who shall have the DESIRES of which I have spoken, and by their desires and their works, you shall know them." (D&C 16:6 a, b)

According to Church History this was done:

"According to a former commandment they proceeded to make a choice of the TWELVE and they were ordained. The Seventy were also selected by the CHURCH IN COUNCIL. The council was composed of the Elders who met to discuss business and to make decisions for the Church. Later High Priests made up a High Council who were chosen by the voice of the people to settle difficulties." (Church History Vol. 1, p 541)

After the first Prophet’s death, the majority of the Saints followed the assumed leadership of Brigham Young to Utah. The Utah group retained the original name of the Restored Church. Those who did not believe in polygamy, Adam-God worship, celestial marriage, etc., either remained in Nauvoo or settled near outlying branches. They strictly adhered to the original teachings while other leaders began to teach otherwise. Then in 1852 they held their first Conference. "Elder Jason Briggs was chosen to preside. Many thought they shouldn’t do anything until they had a new Prophet, and ridiculed them by the epithet of being a "headless body" but they were determined to wait and prepare for the time when they could become an organized Church. From this Conference the Elders returned to their homes more determined to hold up the standard of Christ, raised anew by the Spirit’s power, which manifested, from time to time, that we should organize . . . according to the pattern in the Book of Covenants." (Vol. 3, pp 211-212)

"There was no intention at this time of organizing a new Church, but these men were acting as members and officers of the original Church, regulating as they understood it, and in harmony with the instruction given them. In January before the April 6, 1853 Conference they met and presented questions in prayer to the Lord, and the answers came. They were told to send out a pamphlet to all the branches, denouncing polygamy. Shortly after the communication was given, it was intimated by the Spirit that they must organize themselves. Such a manifestation of powers came that not a doubt was left in their minds as to the source from which the commandment came." (RLDS Church History Vol. 3, pp 211, 214-216)

Before they organized they declared they would not follow any would-be leaders who had left the original Church and they should regard the pretensions of Brigham Young to be in violation of the law of God. Consequently they disclaimed all CONNECTIONS and FELLOWSHIP with them." (Vol. 3, p 209) "One Elder, Zenos Gurley, after much prayer was told by the Lord, "Rise up, cast off all that claim to be Prophets, and go forth and preach the gospel and say that God will raise up a Prophet to complete His work. He said, yea, Lord." Elder Jason Briggs was told practically the same thing except he was told that the new Prophet would be the seed of Joseph Smith, and should set in order the Quorums. He commanded him to write this on paper and send it to all churches." (Pp 206, 207)

They were commanded to organize, but they did not know how. Seeing they were merely Elders with no great authority, the Lord had to tell them to meet together and He would show them how to organize. After fasting and praying this is the answer the Lord gave them:

"Verily, thus saith the Lord, as I said unto my servant Moses, See thou do all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN, so say I unto you My Church; therefore let the greatest among you preside at your Conference. Let THREE MEN BE APPOINTED BY THE CONFERENCE to SELECT SEVEN MEN from among you, who shall compose a majority of the twelve Apostles; for it is My will that the Quorum should not be filled at present. Let the President of the Conference, assisted by two others, ORDAIN them. The Senior of them shall preside. Let them select twelve men among you, and ordain them to compose My High Council. Behold, ye understand the order of Bishopric, the Seventy, the Elders, the Priest, Teachers and Deacons. These organize ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN. Behold, I will be with you until the end; even so. Amen." (Taken from the True Latter Day Saint Herald, Vol. 1, pp 53-55, and also from RLDS Church History, Vol. 3, pp 216-218)

At the Conference of April 6, 1853, they were told to organize by what was written or ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN which was given for the 1830 organization of the first Restored Church. At this conference Elder Jason Briggs was elected President Pro-tem, and he presided as he was the senior of the new Apostles. Senior did not necessarily mean the oldest but the one who had the greatest authority, who could accept it. The seven Apostles were selected by Cyrus Newkirk, Ethan Griffith, and William Cline. These seven were ordained and they and most of the Seventies were sustained by the Conference. (Vol. 3, pp 222, 225-226) Several resolutions were made at this time. Three of them are as follows:

1. Resolved, that we believe that the CHURCH OF CHRIST, organized on April 6, 1830, EXISTS AS ON THAT DAY WHENEVER SIX OR MORE SAINTS are organized ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants.
2. Resolved, that we recognize the VALIDITY of ALL LEGAL ORDINATIONS in this Church, and will fellowship all such as have been ordained while acting within the purview of such authority. (Later on they recognized all legal BAPTISMS IN THE ORIGINAL CHURCH.)
3. Resolved, that the WHOLE LAW OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST is contained in the BIBLE, BOOK OF MORMON AND THE BOOK OF DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS. (Vol. 3, pp 210, 229, and 630) Where do these three Scriptures teach that women should be ordained to the priesthood? Nowhere in these books!

The name of the newly reorganized Church was changed from the original name to differentiate it from the Church that apostatized from the original restoration teachings. We, as a remnant of the original Church, today, also had to change our name for these same reasons, and to also make it a legal institution. We are using the name of the original 1830 organization as used in the first resolution as stated above, except "Restored" is added to it.

I hope these HISTORICAL FACTS will clarify how Apostles were chosen and how they were a PATTERN laid down by the Lord for a remnant to follow. Several conclusions can be arrived at from this study while comparing what was done when The Church of Christ, Restored was organized in 1987. Some of these are:

1. They regarded the pretensions of Brigham Young to be in violation of the law of God, and disclaimed all connections with them. We, too, regard all the pretensions of the hierarchy of the RLDS Church, to be in violations of the law of God. We also disclaim all connection with them by withdrawing our names from that Church.
2. We think as they did that the RLDS Church has been disorganized or rejected as a church, but not as individuals, so we were entitled to ask and receive of God what was our duty. Many of our Elders did this and after prayer and fasting were told through divine inspiration both individually and collectively that it was time to organize.
3. They were told to also follow the PATTERN for calling Apostles. So during the 1987 Elder’s Conference they chose THREE MEN from among them to SEARCH out SEVEN men according to their DESIRES and WORKS, with GOD’S DIRECTION, to be the first Apostles of THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, RESTORED. The Senior who could accept this became the President Pro-tem.
4. God promised to be with the 1853 newly organized remnant to the end. This meant he would bless them as long as they would teach His gospel. God has been with the present day remnant, The Church of Christ, Restored… During the two summer reunions that they have had, several testified of seeing angelic messengers and also Jesus in the services. They had come to bring healing to the broken hearted. The gift of revelation was given nearly every day. Many were blessed with miraculous healings. The Spirit of God added many to the Church and is still adding to the Church daily. We pray that all Independent Groups will soon see the need to be united. We are all trying to cling to the Rod of Iron, so why not be united? The Lord tells us we must become one as He and the Father are one. May God bless you as you read this.

Compiled by:
Norma McConnell
February 1989