Article of Faith 6: The Organization of the Church

At First Glance

This statement sounds not only reasonable—but admirable. Who wouldn’t want to return to the simplicity and purity of the early church?

The New Testament does mention:

• Apostles
• Prophets
• Pastors
• Teachers

So what’s the issue? The issue is not whether these roles existed. The issue is how they functioned—and what they were never meant to become.

Why This Matters

This article supports a much larger claim:

That the original church established by Jesus was a structured organization with defined offices, authority, and hierarchy—and that this structure was lost and later restored.

If that is true, then:

• The “true church” must exist as a specific institution
• That institution must carry restored authority
• And belonging to it becomes essential

But if that is not how the early church functioned… then the entire idea of a restored institutional structure begins to unravel.

What This Means in LDS Teaching

In Mormonism, the early church is understood as a formal, organized system led by:

• Apostles and prophets
• Priesthood authority
• Defined offices and ranks

This structure is believed to have been lost after the death of the original apostles. It was later restored through Joseph Smith, along with priesthood authority and church organization.

As a result, the LDS Church sees itself not simply as a church—but as the restored version of the original church established by Jesus.

“We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church…”
(Articles of Faith 6)

LDS teaching emphasizes that this organization includes:

• Ongoing apostles and prophets
• Priesthood offices and authority
• A structured hierarchy of leadership

The Critical Difference

Here is where the difference becomes clear:

This is not a small shift. It changes what the church is.

What Scripture Reveals

The Church Is a Living Body

“Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.”
(1 Corinthians 12:27)

The church is not described as an institution first. It is described as a body—living, connected, and centered in Christ.

Christ Is the Head — Not an Organization

“He is the head of the body, the church…”
(Colossians 1:18)

Authority does not flow from a hierarchy of leaders. It flows from Christ Himself.

Leadership Exists — But Not as a Power Structure

Yes, the New Testament includes apostles, pastors, and teachers. But their purpose is clearly defined:

“To equip the saints for the work of ministry…”
(Ephesians 4:11–12)

Leaders are not gatekeepers of authority. They are servants who equip others.

The Early Church Was Not a Centralized Institution

The New Testament shows churches meeting in homes, spread across regions, without a single centralized governing body controlling all believers. There is no indication of a restored institutional hierarchy being required for the church to exist.

Why This Changes Everything

If the church is an institution… then you must find the right one.

But if the church is the body of Christ… then it is made up of all who belong to Him.

This is the difference between:

Institutional Identity — “I must belong to the right organization.”

vs.

Spiritual Identity — “I belong to Christ—and therefore I am part of His body.”

A Gentle but Important Question

Is the church something you join… or something you become part of through faith in Christ?

And does Scripture point you to a specific institution… or to a living relationship with Him?

Final Thought

There is nothing wrong with structure, leadership, or organization. But when structure becomes the definition of the church… it quietly replaces something far more important. Because the early church was not held together by hierarchy. It was held together by Christ.

And that has never changed.