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The Sixth Article of Faith

© Rebecca Talley

The Sixth Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reads, "We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."

When Jesus Christ lived upon the earth in His mortal tabernacle He instituted the proper organization of His church. In Ephesians 4:11-12 we learn from the Apostle Paul, "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." Paul went on to say that these apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists are to unify believers and to provide a stable foundation of doctrine. "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive," (Ephesians 4:14). In Luke 6:13 we learn, "And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles." Jesus himself called and ordained His twelve apostles. Again we read in Ephesians 2:19-20, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone."

Church organization was already in existence before the birth of the Savior. As Moses sat and listened to all those who had problems or concerns he became increasingly weary. His father-in-law, Jethro, reprimanded him and told him, "Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier on thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace," (Exodus 18:21-23). Church organization was also present during the time of the Patriarchs. Abraham, for instance, understood that he was to pay his tithing to Melchizedek, the presiding High Priest (see Genesis 14).

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