"Gimmie' a New Church?"

I've been asked by people if I would ever leave the LDS Church. I tell them "Why would I do that?"

As soon as I can find another church that teaches about the Gathering of the House of Israel; the return of the Ten Tribes and their mission; the return of the Jews to Palestine and why, and how they are going to build the temple; the building of temples and what to do with them; the mission of Elias, the prophet, as predicted by Malachi; the method for the salvation of the people that died at the time of Noah in the flood; the origin of the American Indian; the complete explanation of why Jesus of Nazareth had to have a mortal Mother but not a mortal Father; the explanation of why Elias and Moses did not die but had to be translated (since they both lived before the resurrection was introduced by Christ); the restoration of the gospel by modern revelation as promised by Peter and Paul and Jesus himself; the belief of eternal marriage and the family, and the knowledge and the place to be sealed together for eternity; a church that teaches abstinance from all harmful drugs and foods; and that sells the best fire insurance policy on earth for the last days... for only a 10th of my income!

The Church that I would be looking for must also be able to motivate 50,000 youth, and adults, for the first, second or third time, to leave their homes for two years at their own expense and go to far away places to teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ without salary. It must be able to call meetings and get the attention for two hours, of more than 150,000 men. Yes, it must also teach and show why salvation is assured for children who die before eight years of age.

Could you find a church that teaches all of that and teaches more than hundreds of other doctrines and principles, which I have no room to mention here, and which brings solace, comfort to the soul, peace, hope, and salvation to mankind . . . and above all, that answers the key questions that all great philosophers have asked; questions and anwers that explain the meaning of life, the purpose of death, suffering and pain; the absolute need for a Redeemer and the marvelous plan conceived and executed by Jesus Christ the Savior?

Find another Church that teaches that and also one that has the organization and powers to make that teaching effective. I should not tolerate that "they" should change a few words in the Book of Mormon even if those changes simply improved the grammar and the syntax of the verses . . . and don't you think the Divine Church should employ angels as bookmakers, and clerks, and to do all the chores on earth? That the Divine Church should also have prophets that don't get sick and don't get old and die, and certainly that don't make a goof here and there? No, sir. A Divine Church should be so divine that only perfect people should belong to it, and only perfect people should run it. As a matter of fact, the Church should be so perfect that it should not even be here on earth!

So, I repeat, if any one knows about another church that teaches and does as much for mankind as the Mormon Church, please let me know. And please do it soon because my turn to go to the cannery is coming up. Also, "they" want my last son, the eighth one, to go away for two years . . . and again, I have to pay for all of that. I also know that they expect me to go to the farm to prune trees. I have heard that our ward is going to be divided again, and it is our side that must build the new chapel. Also, someone the other day had the gall of suggesting that my wife and I get ready to go on a second mission. . . and when we come back, they said, we could volunteer as temple workers. Boy, these Mormons don't leave you alone for a minute.

And what do I get for all that, one may ask? "Well, for one thing, you can look forward to a funeral service at no charge!"

Why would I want another church?

I already have these answers!

"How do we know [the] truths [of the gospel]? How can you confirm their validity? You see around you great confusion regarding the nature of God, His teachings, and the purpose of life. How then does
God, our Heavenly Father, guide His children on earth? How does He communicate truth and His will so that faithful, believing children can make the right choices and receive the blessings Heavenly Father wants them to have? I will explain.

"From the foundation of this earth, God our Father has consistently followed His plan. . . . Adam labored to share our Father's plan with his children and descendants. Many believed and were blessed. . . .

"Prophets such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses renewed the truth for their dispensation. . . . In the meridian of time Jesus Christ, the Beloved Son of God, was born on earth. He restored the truth and ministered with love and compassion. He established His Church again on earth with apostles and prophets. . . .

"On repeated occasions Jesus Christ has personally appeared to select individuals. Yet there is only one supernal, singular instance of which we have knowledge that God the Father Himself appeared in person. This was done with His precious Holy Son, Jesus Christ, to an audience of one. That one was young Joseph Smith Jr., an extraordinary spirit prepared before the foundation of the earth. He would become the greatest prophet sent to earth. . . .

"Our benevolent Father came from His vast creations to this earth to clarify truth, to disperse the intense clouds of spiritual darkness, to establish His true identity, to restore a fulness of truth, and to provide the only way to obtain secure, spiritual guidance. This momentous Restoration began with the Father's simple phrase 'This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!' There followed a Restoration of truth, priesthood, sacred ordinances, and the true Church, with the Father's plan of salvation and happiness."

If you would like to know more . . . I invite you to talk to some of my friends! I also invite you to come and worship with us. Services are held every Sunday and visitors are always welcome. Go here.

Alan