William Bickerton's Vision
Based in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, The Church of Jesus Christ, also known as the Bickertonite Church, is the third largest branch of the restoration. After the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon created his own church in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. After a while, Rigdon left for Greencastle, leaving behind those who did not follow him.
A branch of those left behind was organized under William Bickerton, who said he was called by God in a vision to preach the Gospel. He was called to preside over the church and called apostles to preside with them. The church was incorporated into Pennsylvania in 1865 with the name "The Church of Jesus Christ." Nowadays, they have over 20,000 members across multiple countries.
| William Bickerton |
I wanted to share Bickerton's vision, published in The Ensign page 10. It is interesting to read him discussing what brought him to where he was.
"I entered the church under Elder Rigdon's organization. I was called by the Holy Spirit to be an elder. I received ordination, and the power of God came down and sealed that office upon me. I went forward preaching to all that would hear. I was afterwards called into the quorum of the seventies. I received ordinations the second time, but the church became disorganized. Here I was left to myself. I paused to know what course to pursue. I knew my calling was from Heaven, and I also knew that a man cannot build up the Church of Christ without divine commandment from the Lord, for it would only be sectarianism, and man's authority. But the Lord did not leave me; no, he showed me a vision, and in the vision, I was on the highest mountain on the earth; and he told me that if I did not preach the gospel I would fall into a dreadful chasm below, the sight thereof was awful. I moved with fear, having the Holy Spirit with me. Here I was, none to assist me, and without learning, popular opinion against me, and the Salt Lake Mormons stood in the way. I could not turn back unto Methodism again. No, I knew they had not the gospel. I stood in contemplation. The chasm was before me, no other alternative but to do my duty to God and man. I went ahead preaching repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Some believed my testimony and were baptized, and we met together, the Lord met with us, and we could many times sing with the poet, the Spirit of God, like a fire, is burning, the latter-day glory begins to come forth. The visions and blessings of old are returning. The angels are coming to visit the Earth."
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