ONE TRUE CHURCH

"The doctrine of one true church is as offensive to much of the Christian world today as was the testimony of Christ anciently that he was 'the way, the truth and the life' (John 14:6). Yet some reason as did the youthful Joseph Smith: 'If God had a Church it would not be split up into factions and that if He taught one society to worship one way and administer in one set of ordinances, He would not teach another, principles which were diametrically opposed' (HC 4:536).

There is no more self-evident truth in this world, there is nothing in all eternity more obvious than that there is and can be only one true Church. A true Church does not create itself any more than man creates God or resurrects himself or establishes for himself a celestial heaven. All churches may be false, but only one can be true, simply because religion comes from God and God is not the author of confusion.' (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 2:506-7)

Many in the religious world claim that no church is better than any other, just different. As 'all roads lead to Rome,' it is reasoned that all beliefs must lead to heaven. Be it remembered that both scoundrel and saint traveled those ancient roads with quite different intent. If all religious paths do indeed lead to heaven, the righteous will be at a considerable disadvantage. If the gates of the celestial city are to be thrown open that widely, why the need for Apostles and prophets, their doctrines, their priesthood and keys; indeed, why the need for the Savior himself and a strait and narrow way?...

Christ made no pretense to being ecumenical (or all inclusive); he and his seek alliance with none but the God of heaven and His truths. The testimony of all holy writ is that there is but 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism.' (Ephesians 4:5)…

In stating that there are save two churches only - the church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil - the Lord is not categorically condemning all who are not members of the Church. Nor is he, for that matter, ensuring an exaltation to all those who have received the fulness of the gospel. The Lord has said that he is pleased with the Church collectively and not necessarily individually (D&C 1:30); we are neither baptized nor judged as congregations…

Elder Bruce R. McConkie has written: 'There is only light and darkness; there is no dusky twilight zone (in regard to the fulness of salvation). Either men walk in the light or they cannot be saved. Anything less than salvation is not salvation.'" (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Millet, McConkie, Vol. 1, page 109 -111)