“Then Will the Father Show Forth His Own Works in It”

Brant Gardner

The name may be essential as part of the church’s defining essence, but teaching the Messiah’s gospel is even more important than using his name. A church deserves to bear the Messiah’s name only when it teaches the true gospel. If the church is “built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.” Failing to build the church on gospel principles will be apostasy, inexorably altering the relationship with Yahweh-Messiah and no longer representing him. A church built on the devil’s values becomes the church of the devil. If it is built on the works of men, it becomes the church of men. The name and the essence are inextricably intertwined.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 5

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