Church of Christ, Temple Lot's Articles of Faith

After Joseph Smiths death, many churches spung up from his church. Most went to Utah with Brigham Young, many went up to Wisconsin and Michigan to follow James Strang, and some joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. But within rural Illinois, there were a collection of congregations not affiliated with any group. In the spring of 1853, the congregations joined together, vowing to continue the original teachings of the church. In 1863, the were officially organized as a single church, under the leadership of Granville Hendrick. Hendrick was ordained as a prophet, seer and revelator, though he later distanced himself from the term as he thought it was unscriptural. They soon relocated to Independence, Missouri and bought the land Joseph Smith prophesied at temple would be built on known as the temple lot. Today, there they are still in Independence, and still own the Temple Lot, despite getting into a lawsuit with the RLDS Church.

Temple Lot Plaque

The Church of Christ (Temple Lot) has many differences compared to the LDS Church. They do not believe in the office of Prophet-President, with the Quorum of the Twelve leading the church. They only use the King James Bible and Book of Mormon and reject the Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants. They reject plural marriage, celestial marriage, baptism for the dead, and the doctrine of exaltation.

Like the LDS church, the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) has a version of the Articles of Faith that go over what they believe. Below are those articles.

ARTICLES OF FAITH AND PRACTICE 

1. We believe in God the Eternal Father, who only is Supreme; Creator of the universe; Ruler and Judge of all; unchangeable and without respect of persons. (Isaiah 45:15-21; Malachi 3;6; Rev. 20:11-13; Moroni 8:19) 

2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, the manifestation of God in flesh, who lived, suffered, and died for all mankind; whom we own as our only leader, Witness and Commander. (John 5:19-24; Heb.1:1-14; Alma 9:54-55; 3 Nephi 4:44-49) 

3. We believe in the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, which searcheth the deep things of God, brings to our minds things which are past, reveals things to come, and is the medium by which we receive the revelation of Jesus Christ. (John 14:15-18, 26,15:26,16:13; Moroni 10:3-7) 
4. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam’s transgression, and that as a consequence of the atonement of Christ “all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all they that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, can not repent; and unto such, baptism availed nothing" (Rom. 2:6,12-13; Mosiah 1:107; Moroni 8:25-26) 

5. We believe that through the atonement of Christ ail men may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel; vis. :Faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ; Repentance and Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; Laying on of Hands for (a) Ordination; (b) Blessing of Children (c) Confirmation and the Gift of the Holy Ghost; (d) Healing of the sick. (John 3:16-17; Hel. 5:69-72,6:1-2; 2 Nephi13:12-17; Moroni 8:29; (a) Actsl 3:1-3; (b) Mark. 10:13-16; 3 Nephi 8:20-27; (c) Acts 8:14-17; Moron 2:1-3; (d) Mark 16:17-18; James 5:14-16) 

6. We believe in the literal second coming and millennial reign of Jesus Christ; in the resurrection of the Dead, and in Eternal Judgment; that men will be rewarded or punished according to the good or evil they may have done. (Matt. 16:27; Revelations 20:1-6, 12-15, 22:12; 1 Nephi 7:55-62; 2 Nephi 12:87-99; Almal9:66-69)

 7. We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting Gospel; vis.: The word of wisdom; the word of knowledge; the gift of faith; the gift of healing; working of miracles; prophecy; discerning of spirits divers kinds of tongues; interpretation of tongues. (Acts 2:4-11; 1 Cor. 12:1-11; Moroni 10:8-14,18) 

8. We believe the fruit of the spirit to be love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. (Gal. 5:22-23)

9. We believe that in the Bible is contained the worn of God, that the Book of Mormon is an added witness for Christ, and that these contain the “fullness of the Gospel.'’ (B.C.44.13; Ezekiel 37:15-20; 1 Nephi 3:157-166, 191-196) 10. We believe in the principle of continuous revelation; that the canon of scripture is not full, that God inspires men in every age and among all people, and that He speaks when, where, and through whom He may choose. (Amos 3:7; Acts 2:17-18; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Nephi 1:82-83) 

11. We believe that where there are six or more regularly baptized members, one of whom is an elder, there the church exists with full power of church extension when acting in harmony with the law of God. (Acts 14:23; Outline History p.35; Ref. Bill #1,1960) 

12. We believe that a man must be called of God by revelation, and ordained by those having authorif /, to enable him to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances thereof. (Luke 6:12-16; John 3:27; Acts 13:1-4; Rom.10:t5; Heb. 5:4) 

13. We believe in the same church organization as existed in the time of Christ and His Apostles. The highest office in the church is that of an apostle, of whom there are twelve, who constitute special witnesses for Jesus Christ. They have the missionary supervision and the general watchcare of all of the churches. (1 Cor. 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Nephi 3:115)

 14. The primary function of the general Church, of which each local church is a component part, is missionary and the building up and extension of the Kingdom of God in all the world. (Matthew 24:14; Mark 16:15-18) 

15. We believe that local churches should govern their own affairs, and that general church officials should not dominate or interfere therewith. On invitation such general officers may, with propriety, give counsel and assistance. Local congregations are subject to the Articles of Faith and Practice and must be governed thereby. (Ref Bill #2,1935, par. 3-8) 

 16. We believe the Church of Christ comprehends the true brotherhood of man where each esteems his brother as himself and wherein the divine command to “love your neighbor as yourself is demonstrated by the prevalence of social equality. (Matt. 22:36-40; Gal. 5:14; I John 4:7-21; Mos.1:48~49; 3Ne. 12:11) 

17. We believe that all men are stewards of their worldly possessions and goods and answerable to God both for how they are used and the manner in which they are secured. We believe that all men are also stewards of their time and talents and are accountable to God for how they are used. We are to pay tithes and offerings to the Church as required by God with the promise of His blessings. We define a tithe as 1/10 of our increase. Offerings are donations above and beyond tithes. These tithes and offerings are to be used for the building up of the Kingdom of God in all nations, bringing all people to Jesus Christ through baptism. (Mark 12:41-44; Malachi 3:8-12; Gen. 28:20-22,14:20; Heb. 7:4-6; Acts 10:1-4; 3 Nephi 11:11-15; Mosiah 2:37,42-44; Mat 28:18-20; Jacob 2:22-24; Alma 10:8; Deuteronomy 14:22) 

18. We believe that men should labor for their own support and that of their dependents. Ministers of the gospel are not absolved from this responsibility, but when chosen or appointed by the church to devote their entire time to missionary work, their families are to be provided for out of the general church funds. The admonition of Christ that the ministry should not provide purse or scrip for their journey but go trusting in God and the people is applicable. (Matt. 10:9-10; Luke22:35-36 I Cor 9:16-18; I Pet. 5:2-3; Mos.9:59-62) 

 19. We believe that the temporal affairs of the general church are to be administered by the general bishopric under the direction of the general conferences of the church and under supervision of the council of Twelve. The temporal affairs of me local churches shall be administered by local bishops under the supervision and direction of the local congregations. (Acts 6:2*6; Ref. Bill # 3,1931) 

20. We believe in the sanctity of marriage as established by the Lord in the beginning as a union between one man and one woman. Any other type of relationship such as homosexuality, polygamy, multiplicity of marriages, common-law marriage and cohabiting are not sanctioned by God and are disharmonious with the plan for His creation. In case of a breach of this covenant by adultery (fornication), the innocent one may remarry. (Matt. 5:31-32,19:3-9; Mark 10:6-9; I Cor. 7:10-11; 3 Nephi 5:80) 

21. We are opposed to war. Men are not justified in taking up arms against their fellows except as a last resort in defense of their lives and to preserve their liberty. (Alma 20:47-52) 

22. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the ten lost tribes. (lsa.11:11-12;Jer.16:14-16,31:10-12; Ezekiel 36:21-28; 3 Nephi 10:1-7) 

23. We believe a temple will be built in this generation, in Independence, Missouri, wherein Christ will reveal himself and endow his servants whom he chooses with power to preach the gospel in ail the world to every kindred, tongue and people, that the promises of God to Israel may be fulfilled. (Micah 4:1-2; Malachi 3:1-4; 3 Nephi 10:4; Ether 6:8) 

24. We believe that a New Jerusalem shall be built upon this land “unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph...” “....which city shall be built, beginning at the Temple Lot.” (3 Nephi 9:57-59,10:1-4; Ether 6:6-8; Revelation to Joseph Smith given Sept., 22&23,1832) 

25. We believe that ministry and membership should abstain from the use of tobacco, intoxicating liquors and narcotics, and should not affiliate with any society which administers oaths or covenants in conflict with the law of God, or which interferes with their duties as free men and citizens. (I Cor. 3:16-17; Ether 3:86-98)