A few years ago, while reading in the Book of Mormon, I stumbled across an interesting verse that had always escaped my notice before:
And thus ended the reign of the kings over the people of Nephi; and thus ended the days of Alma, who was the founder of their church.
—Mosiah 29:47
This is the very last verse of the book of Mosiah. This may seem relatively straight-forward: the king, Mosiah, had converted the government from a monarchy to a democracy, and Alma, who had founded their church, had died. What caught my attention was that Alma was the founder of their church. This was very surprising to me.
What the People of Zarahemla Already Had
Why was it surprising? Because the people of Zarahemla were already converted and righteous, and had been for generations. Let's examine some of the things that the Nephites in Zarahemla already had before Alma showed up:
Led by a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator
In the beginning of the Book of Mormon, we find a family that was commanded to flee Jerusalem. Over the course of several years, they were led to somewhere in the Americas. But political strife caused a division within the family into two factions, which became known as Nephites and Lamanites. God told Nephi, the leader of the Nephites, that he should take his family and allies and flee from his more violent brothers and their allies. They did, and settled a land they called Nephi.
Several generations later, a prophet by the name of Mosiah was commanded to take whoever would listen to him and flee the land of Nephi. With "many preachings and prophesyings" (Omni 1:13), they were led through a wilderness until they found another group of people living in a city they called "Zarahemla". The leader of this city for some reason promptly abdicated his throne in favor of Mosiah (Omni 1:19).
Eventually, Mosiah's son Benjamin reigned in his stead. Benjamin was also a prophet who led his people righteously.
Benjamin named his son Mosiah, which gets a little confusing. This Mosiah is the one who was leading the people of Zarahemla at the time Alma showed up. The Book of Mormon calls him a prophet, seer, and revelator (Mosiah 8:13-17)—in fact, he is the only Book of Mormon character to be identified as either seer or revelator, let alone all three.
Temples and Associated Ordinances
Arguably the most famous speech by a prophet in the Book of Mormon was a speech given by king Benjamin to his people. This took place near a temple, at which the ordinances of the time were performed:
... the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them.
...
And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses.
—Mosiah 2:1, 2:3
Taken the Name of Christ by Covenant
After king Benjamin's great speech, the book of Mosiah records that:
... there was not one soul, except it were little children, but what had entered into the covenant and had taken upon them the name of Christ.
—Mosiah 6:2
Priesthood Authority
This may seem redunant considering the previous items, but I think it bears noting regardless. While Mosiah was king, he sent out a search party for a group of people who had gone back to the land of Nephi several decades earlier. The search party, led by a man named Ammon, did eventually find them, leading to an interesting comment:
And it came to pass that king Limhi and many of his people was desirous to be baptized, but there was none in the land that had authority from God. And Ammon declined doing this thing, considering himself an unworthy servant.
—Mosiah 21:33
From this verse, it seems clear that Ammon had priesthood authority. Since Ammon came from Zarahemla, it stands to reason that the priesthood authority could be found among the people there.
Summary
So the people of Mosiah were already led by a prophet, seer, and revelator; already had priesthood authority; already had temple worship; already performed ordinances; and had already taken upon themselves the name of Christ. Having grown up in the church, I had been taught that the defining characteristics of the true church of Jesus Christ are exactly the things listed earlier. Interestingly, nowhere else in the Book of Mormon do we find these principles so clearly identified among the people, but all of them before Alma founded the church. It's as if Mormon saw our time (Mormon 8:35) and included these details knowing what we would need to see and understand: that all of these things exist independent from the church of Jesus Christ.
But if that's true, what was this "church" that Alma established?
What did Alma Establish?
When Alma and his people eventually found their way to the land of Zarahemla, after all of the things above had happened, he was given permission by king Mosiah (the prophet, seer, and revelator) to establish churches throughout the land. This is the first record of a church being established among the various peoples of the Book of Mormon, hundreds of years after the Lehites arrived in the Americas.
Whatever it was that Alma brought that they didn't already have excited the people so much that:
... whosoever was desirous to take upon them the name of Christ or of God, they did join the churches of God; and they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed and prospered in the land.
—Mosiah 25:23-24
This apparently included nearly everyone who had already covenanted to take the name of Christ, though not their children:
... there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people;
...
And they would not be baptized, neither would they join the church. ... And now in the reign of Mosiah they were not half so numerous as the people of God ...
—Mosiah 26:1, 26:4-5
Apparently, this church, whatever it was, was very welcome indeed among those who believed. Fortunately, Mormon recorded what Alma did to establish the church of God, so we can see what it was that the people of Mosiah were so excited about.
Delegation of Responsibility
One of the first things Alma did was to delegate responsibilities to others, giving people a clearer way to serve each other and God.
And it came to pass that Alma having authority from God ordained priests, even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them and to teach them concerning things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
—Mosiah 18:18
Standardized, Simple Curriculum
Next, Alma established a standard curriculum.
And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.
—Mosiah 18:19
The simplicity of the curriculum helped avoid contention:
Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people. And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.
—Mosiah 18:20-21
Lay Ministry
Alma taught that no-one should be paid for their church service.
And he also commanded them that the priests which he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support.
—Mosiah 18:24
Later, we see that this applied to all levels of the church, not just the priests:
And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one senine for my labor, neither hath any of my brethren ...
—Alma 30:33
Weekly Communal Worship
Alma established weekly meetings for instruction and worship:
And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people and to worship the Lord their God ...
—Mosiah 18:25
A System for the Redistribution of Wealth
And finally, Alma created a system for redistributing wealth:
And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he hath: if he have more abundantly, he should impart more abundantly; and he that hath but little, but little should be required; and to him that hath not should be given. And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul. And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God. And they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and wants.
—Mosiah 18:27-29
What is the Church of Jesus Christ?
There are at least three other times that we know Jesus Christ established a church: during and shortly after his life and ministery among the Jews; about a year later during his visit with the people of the Book of Mormon; and at the time of Joseph Smith. Each time, these churches shared most of these same features.
Delegation of Responsibility
Church of Christ in Jerusalem
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
—Ephesians 4:11-12
Church of Christ in America, 34 AD
And the Lord said unto [Nephi]: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven. And again the Lord called others and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize.
—3 Nephi 11:21-22
And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men.
—Moroni 3:4
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.
—Doctrine and Covenants 84:109-110
Summary
Delegation of responsibility is a consistent attribute of Jesus' true church.
Standardized, Simple Curriculum
Church of Christ in Jerusalem
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
—Matthew 28:19-20
And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
—Mark 6:12
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
—Ephesians 4:4-5
The only way I can see "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" working is if the core doctrine is very simple.
Church of Christ in America, 34 AD
The Book of Mormon does not record that the disciples were limited in their preaching.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Say nothing but repentance unto this generation.
—Doctrine and Covenants 11:9
And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me. And this is my gospel--repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peacable things of the kingdom.
...
... Thou shalt preach the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth in these last days, the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.
—Doctrine and Covenants 39:5-6, 11
Note in particular the definition of Christ's gospel.
Summary
Mentioned in three of four divinely established churches, and not contradicted by the other, a simple core doctrine appears to be another attribute of the true church of Christ.
Lay Ministry
Church of Christ in Jerusalem
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. ... And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire.
—Luke 10:4-5, 10:7
Church of Christ in America, 34 AD
The Book of Mormon does not mention whether or not the disciples worked for their own support, though since the people had "all things common among them" (4 Nephi 1:3) it seems meaningless.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Lord gave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints explicit command to do the opposite:
And again, let the bishop appoint a storehouse unto this church; and let all things both in money and in meat, which are more than is needful for the wants of this people, be kept in the hands of the bishop. And let him also reserve unto himself for his own wants, and for the wants of his family, as he shall be employed in doing this business.
—Doctrine and Covenants 51:13-14
Summary
A lay ministry is approved in 2 of four, ignored in one, and refuted in the last of the divinely established churches. It appears, therefore, that this is not a required attribute of the church of Jesus Christ.
Regular Communal Worship
Church of Christ in Jerusalem
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
—Hebrews 10:24-25
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
—1 Corinthians 14:26
Church of Christ in America, 34 AD
And behold, ye shall meet together oft.
—3 Nephi 18:22
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;
—Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-10
Summary
Regular meetings of the faithful were a trait of all four churches divinely established by Christ.
A System for the Redistribution of Wealth
Church of Christ in Jerusalem
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
—Acts 4:32
Church of Christ in America, 34 AD
... and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly one with another.
—3 Nephi 26:19
And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free and partakers of the heavenly gift.
—4 Nephi 1:3
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.
—Doctrine and Covenants 49:20
And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself. For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just?
Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
—Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27
Summary
Economic equality was clearly a feature of all four divinely established churches.
Why does it matter?
Nowdays, we tend to think of the church and the gospel as synonymous, but the Book of Mormon clearly teaches that they are not. Churches are important and useful tools that help us live the gospel of Jesus Christ. But the Book of Mormon also teaches caution.
Shortly after Alma's son Alma mysteriously or miraculously disappeared (Alma 45:18-19), his (Alma the younger's) sons began to re-establish the church—not that it had ever gone away, just that the Nephites had had other things on their minds for a while:
For behold, because of their wars with the Lamanites and the many little dissensions and disturbances which had been among the people, it became expedient that the word of God should be declared among them, yea, and that a regulation should be made throughout the church. Therefore Helaman and his brethren went forth to establish the church again in the land, yea, in every city throughout all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that they did appoint priests and teachers throughout all the land, over all the churches.
—Alma 45:21-22
What happens next is important:
And now it came to pass that after Helaman and his brethren had appointed priests and teachers over the churches that there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to the words of Helaman and his brethren;
—Alma 45:23
We know that Helaman was a very righteous man, and his brothers as well (with one possible exception, but that's a different story). And yet they appointed people who ended up causing problems not just within the church but for all the Nephites. One of the people they appointed to help lead the church ended up trying to overthrow the government, then leading a group to desert to the Lamanites when it failed, taking command over the Lamanite armies, overthrowing the Lamanite king, and finally leading the Lamanites in a devestating war against the Nephites that lasted over twenty years and caused tremendous losses on both sides (Alma 45-62).
Either this tremendously wicked man, Amalickiah, was righteous when he was called but quickly became corrupted by wealth and power (Alma 45:24), or he was always wicked and Helaman and his brothers failed to see through it. Either way, it is clear that just because someone has authority within the church does not mean that they are necessarily righteous or worthy.
As Nephi warned,
O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh, for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
—2 Nephi 4:34
In other words, however valuable a church is, it is not a substitute for the gospel, and the two should never be considered equivalent. It is a tool, and like any tool it can get dull; like any bureaucracy, the church is vulnerable to corruption and pride. And when that happens, as has happened several times during the history of the modern church, people who have equated the church and the gospel can end up with their faith in God shattered, their relationship with Christ broken.
These high stake consequences could be completely avoided by understanding what the Book of Mormon teaches about what a church is—and what it isn't.