“There is this interesting statement
by the Lord found in D&C 10:67-68: “Behold, this is my doctrine
- whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.
Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me,
but is against me; therefore he is not of my church.”
The
statement requires us to
1.
Repent, and then
2.
Come unto Christ.
Repentance
is a lifelong process. As we get further light and knowledge
we have to incorporate it into our lives and change behavior.
Over a lifetime, this should be dynamic, not static.
The
more difficult explanation is to “Come unto Him.” It is my
view that this includes fully receiving Him into your life as did the
brother of Jared, Nephi, Enos, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Joseph Smith,
Daniel, Isaiah, Jacob, Mormon, Moroni, Alma the Younger, Paul, and so
many others who have testified of Him. That is a
subject so great that the entire body of scriptures exist to help us
accomplish it.
Significant,
too, is that whatever is “more or less” than this is not “of my
church” according to the Lord. So we have to take great care
to not overstate or understate this doctrine of His. Adding
endless requirements by the commandments of men is “against Him.”
Similarly, any failure to declare the essential nature of coming to
Him is also “against Him.” I think the first verse
of D&C 93 is a formula for coming to Him. That
formula declares that, when it is followed, you will see His face and
know that He is." (DS 3-3-10)
So
... Is there any other way or possibility for an individual to be of
His church without first repenting, coming unto Him, receiving
redemption from Him, conversing with Him face to face, and knowing
Him? According to the words of Christ, do you consider yourself to be
of His Church? Do you qualify ? Why or why not? If not, are you willing to fully
receive Him into your life and meet the requirements He has set to
become of His Church?
