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Biographical
sketch of
Apostle Steve
R. Church
The knowledge that
Jesus Christ is the living Son of God comes as a
result of sixty-three years of periodical spiritual
experiences that have been mandatory to my
understanding of God and His Kingdom. The result of
all these accumulatively gives me the unwavering
conviction of the divinity of God and Jesus Christ
and the Holy Spirit.
The gospel of the restoration of Christ's Church in
1830 was taught to me by stalwarts of the faith at
an early age. I have experienced confirming
testimonies in many congregational, branch, youth
camp, reunion, and study meetings as well as private
moments with the Holy Spirit.
Having this foundation, it was quite easy to
understand the Lord renewing his Church in 1853-1860
as false doctrine had enveloped the factions
resulting from the dispersal of members after Joseph
Smith, Jr. was martyred.
Because of that history and an event that happened
to me in December of 1983, which was well-known and
documented at the time of reception, I share my
testimony of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints.
While involved in a day of fasting and prayer in
December 1983, as a prelude to the preparing of a
sermon for the Excelsior Springs, Missouri Branch of
the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints (of which I was Presiding Elder at the time)
I found myself being ministered to and enlightened
by the Holy Spirit. I saw no personage, nor did I
hear an audible voice, yet my mind was perceiving
intelligence the same as if one of my senses was
receiving the information. I knew this was correct
by the power of the Spirit of God. The information
expressed the warning that His church was approaching
apostasy by the incorporation of false doctrine and
that I should sound the voice of warning.
I did as instructed by stating the exact false
doctrines that were to be instigated, (changing His
holy priesthood, open communion, acceptance of
ungodly moral behavior such as abortion,
homosexuality, and worldly conduct). I stated this
acceptance was seen by Christ as apostasy and would
result in His rejection of the Church.
As a result of this warning, I was ostracized by my
personal extended family and by the Reorganized
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This
banishment was devastating to say the least, but I
could not deny the experience that I had regarding
the warning. Since that time, the validity of the
information has been a rather open forum of
knowledge which has proved my experience to be
accurate.
As time progressed through association with
Restoration Branches and prayer and study groups, I
was privileged to attend a meeting in May of 1999.
The Lord instructed twelve of His priesthood to
follow seven steps and begin the process of renewing
His church within the pattern of old, being careful
to institute correct and proven doctrine. This
experience can be read as the “Proclamation to the
Faithful” and is not necessary to be repeated in
this statement. My testimony is that the instruction
was of God and I know of its validity--I was there
and I felt the confirming Holy Spirit.
Since the experience in May of 1999, the Lord has
provided a church renewed with continued instruction
through revelation, a renewal of the quorums and
orders, and a prophet of lineage. It has created a
foundation in which to carry forth His command to
build the city of Zion by the sanctifying of His
people. That Church is known among men as the
Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
If you desire to know, ask the Lord for
confirmation, then come and see. Knock and it will
be opened to you is not just my promise, but the
promise of Jesus the Christ. It is the only
conversion of eternal value to your soul. May God
bless you as you search for the truth is my sincere
prayer.
Amen.
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